Ethical Thought

Question 1

Briefly explain Divine Command Theory

Answer 1

Divine Command Theory is a meta-ethical(concerns itself with where “moral thought” is derived from), normative (tells people what to do) theoru and essentially stipulates that what is good is what God commands.

Question 2

What is DCT also known as?

Answer 2

Theological Voluntarism.

Question 3

What are some examples of commands in scripture?

Answer 3

You Shall not Murder
You shall not steal

Question 4

Why is Divine Command theory convincing?

Answer 4

If God is the God of classical theism, then he is an objective empirical source of morality, so whatever God commands would be good.

Question 5

What is the Euthyphro dilemna?

Answer 5

The Socratic idea of whether something is good because of an independant standard of morality, or because God commanded it. Either there is something greater thann God, or God is arbitrary.

Question 6

What is the Pluralism Objection?

Answer 6

There are many cultures and different societys that have different ideas of what God commands, so which one should be obeyed. Evenn extends to Old vs New testament.

Question 7

How did Robert Adams adapt the Divine command theory

Answer 7

He derived a solution to the arbitrariness problem which is that it is logically impossible for God to command cruelty, being oomnibenevolent, but he COULD command cruelty for his own sake, and we would be obliged to obey, he just doesnt and wouldnt.

Question 8

What is a possible weakness of Adams modified divine command theory?

Answer 8

He doesnt specify if God does command something immoral just for its own sake whether or not we should obey, as to obey is to act immorally but to disobey is to abandon divine command theory.

Question 9

Who pioneered Vritue theory

Answer 9

Aristotle.

Question 10

What does virtue ethics focus on deciding if one is being moral, rather than the consequences of actions.

Answer 10

Character(A virtuous moral agent will always make virtuous decisions in ethical dilemnas)

Question 11

What is the goal of life, according to Aristotle

Answer 11

Eudaimonia(Human Flourishing)

Question 12

What is Phronesis and how is it relevant to achieving Eudaimonia

Answer 12

Phronesis is practical wisdom or prudence used to work out what is moral in a situation. If you do what is moral, you are closer to Eudaimonia.

Question 13

Name some of the 5 intellectual virtues.

Answer 13

Science-ability to find logical truth
Art- Ability to use reason to plan ahead
Prudence or phronesis-Practical wisdom to be virtuous
Intuition-ability to grasp the first principles of truth
Wisdom- most finished and perfect form of knowledge

Question 14

Name some of the moral virtues, as well as their excesses and deficiencies.

Answer 14

Rashness-courage-cowardice
Shyness-modesty-shamelessness
However, only someone who is experienced with strong phronesis will be able to tell the suitable response in a situation.”easy to miss the target and difficult to hit it”

Question 15

What were Jesus’ teachings on virtues.

Answer 15

The beatitudes- Blessed are the meek etc.
Jesus is also a virtous poerson whose example can be copied in order to be virtuous.
“Faith hope and love” are all listed as important qualities or virtues in the bible.
In the sermon on the mount Jesus indicates that character traits are more important that specific acts-moves away fomr law centered rules of the pharisees.

Question 16

What is the golden mean

Answer 16

The amount of a virtue between the excess and deficiency that is just right

Question 17

What are some of the challenges to virtue theory

Answer 17

A virtuous person does not always know what is moral-especially in modern times with overwhelmingly complex issues e.g. the nuclear deterrent.
No clear rules to follow
Not everyone has an example of a virtuous person to follow and people may do things under the misguided belief that they are being virtuous.
Different things are moral within different cultures e.g. Indian Sati (wife burning after husbands death)
Can be used to justify immoral actions

Question 18

Who is the mainn proponent of Ethical Egoism?

Answer 18

Max stirner <3

Question 19

What is altruism

Answer 19

When actions are motivated by someone elses self interest not your own.

Question 20

Whats the difference between ethical egoism and psychological egoism?

Answer 20

Ethical egoism is normative, it tells you how you should act, whereas psychological egoism is descriptive, it points out how people do act. Psychoilogical egoism supports ethical egoism as if the only way we can act is in our own self interest, then it cannot be said we “ought” to act in any other way.

Question 21

What is the myth of gyges, told by Plato

Answer 21

A shephard boy, freed from the consequences of his actions by means of a ring that turns him invisible, goes on to commit immoral acts. Asks the question of what would we do if there were truly no consequences.

Question 22

Is ethical egoism a hedonistic theory

Answer 22

No, ethical egoism asks you to coonsider what is in your long term self interest as well as short term, so acts like heroin are not necessarily moral as they may not be in your long term best interests.

Question 23

What is Max Stirners book?

Answer 23

The Ego and Its Own.

Question 24

What are spooks

Answer 24

Anything that is not truly real, for example the church or laws. Abstract things that people treat as concrete facts or rules that must not be violated.

Question 25

Dooes stirner believe in psychological egoism?

Answer 25

Intially it seems that he does, but he gives the example of Juliet sacrificing her love for romeo out of respect for her familys wishes. However Striner points out that this would have lead her to be unsatisfied, however she subjected herself to a higher power, her familys wishes, and was therefore constrained in her actions and not truly free, so she did not act in her own self interest. Stirner says that we should act in self interest not necessarily that we do

Question 26

Is ethical egoism materialistic

Answer 26

No stirner viewed materialism as another spook, chasing something other than their own freedom. Therefore stirner seems to suggest that it is less about direct self interest and more about self-rule.

Question 27

What is Eigenheit

Answer 27

Posessing complete moral control over ones own decisions.

Question 28

What is a union of Egoists?

Answer 28

A union or cooperation between two people without losing their own uniqueness(einzig) and remainging independent.

Question 29

What are some challenges to Ethical egoism

Answer 29

it results in the destruction of community ethos
Can reuslt in social injustice such as food shortages.
can result in bigotry

Question 30

Is morality whatever God commands?

Answer 30

Philip Quinn argues that Gods moral commands are in scripture and whatever is there is an objective moral truth
Aquinas denies that god would ever give an immoral command. Examplke commanded hebrews to steal but God commanded it so it is what they were due.
William of Ockham-God is the ultimate standard of morality.

Question 31

is being a good person more than just doing good deeds

Answer 31

Yes- good samaritan, they obeyed the law and left the man, however the samaritan violated the law by showing compassion. Attempts to codify ethics result in immorality.
You are not immoral if you make a mistake, providing it was a virtuous act to the best of your knowledge.
No-Good deeds are more important as they directly affect other people and leave an impact. Its the easiest way to codify ethics. Robert Louden-more important to focus on deeds rather than character as there are certain acts that must never be permitted.

Question 32

Do moral agents need to be good people to do good deeds.

Answer 32

Virtue is a disposition towards certain kinds of behavior-good deeds.-however, deeds alonne cannot indicate whether or not a person is truly moral (Julie annas) Ellizabeth Anscombe says guidance can be found within virtues e.g. be courageous.

Question 33

Is virtue theory useful when faced with an ethical dilemna?

Answer 33

Yes-Doesnt need to follow a complex ruleset-only need to be a moral person. using correct reasoning and phronesis one can work out whether or not they are morally obligated to do somthing to encourage Eudaimonia.
No-complex issues can be hard if there is no example to follow. No definitive rules to follow mean errors can be made.
Attempts by Anscombe to provide rules like “be honest” are just saying do not lie.

Question 34

Does ethical egoism lead to moral evil

Answer 34

Yes- self interest lead to bigotry and oppression of the minority in favour of the majority. Altruists are parasites and moochers. Myth of gyges,
No- Ayn rand- no conflict between rational men- Adam smith- regard for their own self interest that butcher brewer make us things.
Maybe-only lead to moral evil only if people are presupposed to it, ethical egoism in no way encourages it. Often times what benefits the individual is what benefits society.