Ethical theories

Question 1

Who originally thought of natural moral law

Answer 1

Aristotle

Question 2

What was Aristotle’s idea that all humans want to achieve

Answer 2

Eudaimonia - ultimate fulfilment

Question 3

What type of theory is NML and what is this

Answer 3

Deontological - looks at the intention of the action

Question 4

How did Aquinas adapt Aristotle’s view

Answer 4

He said that our telos is to fulfil the will of God and we do this through the bible and nature

Question 5

What are the 4 divisions of law stated by Aquinas

Answer 5

Eternal law - law from God
Divine law - Bible
NML - human reason
Human law

Question 6

What is the sinderesis rule

Answer 6

Do Good : Avoid Evil

Question 7

Quote from St Paul about NML

Answer 7

“For when the Gentiles, which have not the law do by nature the things contained in the law”

Question 8

What are Aquinas primary precepts

Answer 8

Fundamental rules found in nature that can never be broken

1. To reproduce
2. To preserve life
3. To educate
4. To create an ordered society
5. To worship

Question 9

What type of rules are the primary precepts

Answer 9

Teleological

Question 10

What does Aquinas believe about reason

Answer 10

It is god-given and allows us to make our own judgements

Question 11

What is the beatific vision

Answer 11

What Aquinas said humanity should want to achieve

• ultimate self-communication of God to humanity

Question 12

What are secondary precepts and give examples

Answer 12

Actions you should do/not do to make the primary precepts occur (commands)

Go to school - education
No homosexuality - reproduction
No artificial contraception - reproduction

Question 13

What are real and apparent goods

Answer 13

Real = when you believe you’re doing something good and it is kind with reason
Apparent = when you believe you’re doing something good but it is contrary to reason and so it is not good

Question 14

What are Aquinas’ cardinal virtues and theological virtues

Answer 14

Virtues that allow beatific vision to be fulfilled

Cardinal:

1. Prudence
2. Justice
3. Courage
4. Self-control

Theological (Christian):

1. Faith
2. Hope
3. Love

Question 15

What is the doctrine of double effect

Answer 15

Actions have 2 consequences and an action is morally okay if your intended outcome is good, there will be a bad side effect however. As long as this is just a secondary effect, it is okay.

• eg self defence (when killing someone) is not unlawful as long as the intention is to preserve life

Rules:

• action must be good
• bad effect must not be the means by which the good effect is achieved
• had to be the right intention
• good effect must outweigh the bad effect

Question 16

What is proportionalism

Answer 16

The idea that it is right to ignore NML in situations where there is a need for it.
- eg Aquinas says stealing is okay is there is starving man that will die if he has no food.

Question 17

Evaluation of NML

Answer 17

+ it is universal
+ sets firm boundaries
+ realistic (proportionalism)
+ develops good moral character
- culturally relative
- theistic approach that doesn’t suit all
- causes mass pain due to contraception bans etc

Question 18

Who came up with situation ethics

Answer 18

Fletcher

Question 19

What type of theory is situation ethics

Answer 19

Teleological

Question 20

What two ideologies did fletcher reject

Answer 20

Antinomianism - no moral rules

Legalism - absolute rules never to be broken

Question 21

Why is situation ethics teleological

Answer 21

Because it is concerned with if the outcome demonstrates agape

Question 22

What are fletchers 4 presuppositions

Answer 22

Pragmatism - decisions should work to maximise love
Relativism - situations assed on how best they demonstrate love
Positivism - god is love due to faith
Personalism - people are at the centre

Question 23

What are fletchers 6 propositions

Answer 23

1. Love only is always good
2. Love replaces the law
3. Love and justice are the same
4. Love is not liking
5. Love justifies the means
6. Love decides in the moment

Question 24

Evaluation of situation ethics

Answer 24

+ doesn’t reject good rules to follow but allows for room to change
+ fit for modern age
+ based off life of Jesus
+ promotes autonomy
+ puts people first
- possibly too much responsibility on the individual
- no consensus on what the most loving action is
- can never know the outcome before hand

Question 25

Who came up with virtue ethics

Answer 25

Aristotle

Question 26

What type of theory is virtue ethics

Answer 26

Teleological

Question 27

What is a virtue

Answer 27

A character trait which is valued

Question 28

What is a vice

Answer 28

A characteristic which works against it opposing virtue

Question 29

What did Aristotle say the aim of life is

Answer 29

To reach eudiamonia

Question 30

What is the function argument

Answer 30

Everything has an ‘ergon’ (role) and humans is to use moral virtues to reach eudaimonia

Question 31

What is the doctrine of the mean

Answer 31

We should use the correct amount of them to make decisions and not make them turn into vices. Mean is what we want to achieve.

eg
Cowardice is a deficiency of bravery (vice)
Bravery should be the aim (virtue)
Bravado is an excess of bravery (vice)

Question 32

What did Aristotle day about the soul

Answer 32

It’s the form of a body. Each type of thing fulfils their function by doing work that is characterised by their soul.

Plants = vegetative - nutrition + growth
Animals = sensitive - nutrition + growth, movement, sense perception, low-level thought
Humans = rational - nutrition + growth, movement, sense perception, reason

Question 33

What is phronimos

Answer 33

A man of practical wisdom and good judge of ethical matters

Question 34

What type of actions are the only ones that can be virtuous according to Aristotle

Answer 34

Voluntary ones.

Question 35

Describe theoria

Answer 35

It is the highest thing in us, intelligence.
We use to make scientific discoveries and so we can contemplate.
Contemplation is intrinsic and contributes to our ultimate happiness.

Question 36

What does a person with practical wisdom know

Answer 36

That failure is okay
That people need mentoring
That wisdom is made
How to use their moral skills for the right aim

Question 37

Evaluation of virtue ethics

Answer 37

\+ holistic and human centred
\+ it is flexible with the situation
\+ it allows for failure
\+ intuitive
- culturally relativism
- circular (how does someone become virtuous? By acting virtuously)
- doesn’t work with the law
-