Ethics

Question 1

Fallacies

Answer 1

A false or mistaken idea, False use of logic, sometimes aimed at deceiving an audience into accepting a claim

Question 2

Fallacies: Bandwagon

Answer 2

A fallacy that endorses something simply because it is popular.

Question 3

Fallacies: Either

Answer 3

An issue is presented as having only two choices, when it may have more. It can be used with an emotional fallacy as well.

Question 4

Fallacies: Post Hoc

Answer 4

This occurs when one event follows another and we draw the conclusion that the first event caused the second, when in fact, the two events are not related.

Question 5

Fallacies: Red Herring

Answer 5

An irrelevant fact is brought up to distract from or side step the main issue.

Question 6

Fallacies: Slippery slope

Answer 6

Certain generalized consequences will result if a particular course of action is taken. If there is clear and reasonable evidence to support that likelihood, the argument may be sound. If the cause-effect relationship is oversimplified, the result is inevitable, and there is no evidence to support that claim.

Question 7

Fallacies: Ad hominem

Answer 7

An attack on the character of an opponent in an attempt to undermine their status, therefore undermining the strength of their argument.

Question 8

Fallacies: Showman

Answer 8

Misrepresenting an opponent’s argument, with a weaker argument, in an attempt to dismantle it. For instance: “Religion is only about belief, which means you won’t listen to any reason!”

Question 9

Components of ethics: Worldview

Answer 9

‘The way in which an individual, group, society interprets the totality of existence’

Question 10

Components of ethics: Intuition

Answer 10

‘A 6th sense’

Question 11

Components of ethics: Conscience

Answer 11

‘Developed ability to know right from wrong - knowledge, intuition, strong emotions….’

Question 12

Components of ethics: Mores

Answer 12

‘Actions and inactions of which a culture approves and disapproves’

Question 13

Components of ethics: Social norms

Answer 13

‘Customs and conventions of society, groups and individuals that are important for acceptability but that are not usually enforced by law’

Question 14

Components of ethics: Assumptions

Answer 14

‘Statements or ideas that are believed to be true without any supportive evidence’

Question 15

Components of ethics: Normative standards

Answer 15

‘Rules that are created by what everyone does whether it follows or goes against the law’

Question 16

Components of ethics: Ethical authority

Answer 16

‘A person, thing or idea used to support an ethical perspective.’

Question 17

Components of ethics: Moral values

Answer 17

‘Ideas that have worth attached to them’

Question 18

Components of ethics: Reasoning

Answer 18

‘Analysis with awareness of all factors’

Question 19

Ethical systems: Utilitarianism

Answer 19

• The locus of ethics is in the outcome of the situation.
• Consequential ethics
• Concerned with the consequences of actions
• Locate mortality in the consequences
• Collective happiness
• Greatest good for the greatest number
• State of the world brought about
• Utilitarianism moral theory
• Actions should make more good, more good in the world
• More concerned with the consequences.
• Even if the act caused harm, if it bring more good in the long term

Question 20

Ethical systems: Categorical Imperative

Answer 20

• Deontological (duty-based) ethics are concerned with what people do, not with the consequences of their actions
• Do the right thing
• Do it because it is the right thing to do.
• Don’t do the wrong things
• Avoid them because they are wrong.
• Intrinsic quality of the act
• Wrong even if bring about good results
• Created by Immanuel Kant
• Do a good thing because of duty
• Can it be universalised, rules, allowing people to do something, if this does not happen does it affect more people.
• Fulfill morality, there are no exceptions to this rule, the actual moment that the action occurred.
• Because it is a duty.

Question 21

Ethical systems: God’s Law

Answer 21

God’s law is seen as a system of universal rules of action, rules which prescribe certain kinds of acts and proscribe others, all enforced by God. God has made His will known to Man and sanctions it with reward and punishment. Any act that conforms to the law of God is right and any act, which violates God’s law, is wrong. This approach also explains why we feel obliged to do
what is right; we do not want to be punished or, on a higher level, we simply want to do what God asks of us.

Question 22

Ethical systems: Mores

Answer 22

• Not explicitly outlined rules/ laws to follow for people to be socially acceptable.
• Not sticky rules, based on everyday experiences.
• Based on feeling out of place, inappropriate, feeling shame
• Societal functions, that people care about
• Mores of society that do not govern us.
• Subtle differences that one thinks are acceptable and one who does not understand.
• Common courtesy.
• Relativism
• Moral standards are different
• Society