Ethics

Question 1

Define Ethics.

Answer 1

The philosophical debate over morality and right or wrong?

Question 2

What are the five primary Ethical Theories?

Answer 2

1. Cultural Relativism
2. Divine Command Theory
3. Utilitarianism
4. Deontological Ethical Theory
5. Virtue Ethics**

Question 3

Which thinker is associated with Cultural Relativism?

Answer 3

Ruth Benedict (she was an anthropologist)

Question 4

Define Cultural Relativism.

Answer 4

An action is moral or immoral because a culture’s practices’ or attitudes dictate that it is. (Morals are dependent on culture)

Question 5

What is the primary question ethics philosophers are asking?

Answer 5

What makes an action moral or immoral?

Question 6

Define Moral Realism?

Answer 6

Some actions are moral or immoral independent of cultural practices and attitudes.

Question 7

What theory contradicts Cultural Relativism?

Answer 7

Moral Realism

Question 8

Compare Cultural Relativism and Moral Realism.

Answer 8

CR: Just different
MR: Some practices are objectively better.

Question 9

What is the clarification he wants us to make on the defintion of cultural relativism?

Answer 9

Relative to culture does not mean relative to circumstance.

Question 10

Different cultures may have the same morals but they may manifest differently. Give a real world example.

Answer 10

Ex.
-Christians believe it is moral to eat cows.
-Muslims believe it is moral to eat cows.
(They both agree it is bad to eat relatives, it’s just that Muslims believe cows are reincarnated.)

Question 11

Jill believes it is usually immoral to steal.
But, she thinks it is morally acceptable to steal a bottle of milk in order to save an
infant’s life.
Is Jill a cultural relativist? (verbatim on the test)

Answer 11

No she is not. If the culture says it is immoral to steal, then it is always immoral to steal.

Question 12

In culture 1, they practice infanticide. In culture 2, they don’t.
○ This difference could be due to different ____________. Describe.
○ This difference could be due to different cultural values. Describe.

Answer 12

1. Circumstances. In one this is necessary to protect surviving children, but in another it is not.
   (They both value children)
2. Or one culture values children while another does not.

Question 13

What are the two objections to Cultural Relativism?

Answer 13

1. Moral Progress (ex. women’s, lgbtq, minority rights)
2. Genocide Counterexample (Can we really say that it is morally acceptable for the Nazis to commit genocide?)

Question 14

What is Divine Command Theory?

Answer 14

The theory that an action is moral or immoral because God says it is so.

Question 15

What is the primary problem with Divine Command Theory according to Socrates?
Give an example.

Answer 15

The clauses are reversed in a nonsensical fashion.
Ex.
Correct: The car stopped b/c it ran out of gas
(TIFF is wrong b/c it’s hurtful)
Incorrect: The car ran out of gas b/c it stopped.
(God says TIFF is wrong, so it is)

Question 16

Which two philosophers are associated with Virtue Ethics?

Answer 16

Aristotle and Adam Smith

Question 17

Define Virtue Ethics.

Answer 17

The theory that an action is moral or immoral because a virtuous person acts morally

Question 18

What does it mean for a person to be “Virtuous?”

Answer 18

This means that they function properly.

Question 19

What is a Virtue?

Answer 19

An objectively good characteristic.

Question 20

What makes a characteristic objectively good? Give an example.

Answer 20

An objectively good characteristic enables something to function properly.
(ex. A watch that accurately tells the time, a sharp knife, and integrated psyche)

Question 21

How we do we define a “functional mind?”

Answer 21

This is a mind that is mentally healthy and mature. A mind that is integrated and virtuous.
If a watch and knife can function properly or improperly then so must a mind.

Question 22

Give some examples of a defective mind/person. (Non integrated psyche)

Answer 22

-Excessive Anger
-Addiction
-Excessive Status Seeking
-Deficiency/Depression
-A parentified child dynamic

Question 23

According to Virtue Ethics, is virtue related to culture?

Answer 23

According to Aristotle…No.
Mental health is as objective as physical health.
(Virtue=Mental Health)

Question 24

Who wrote the book “The Theory of Moral Sentiments?” What does this book argue?

Answer 24

1. Adam Smith
2. It argues for Impartial Sympathy, and builds upon Aristotles original Virtue Ethics.

Question 25

Who argued for Impartial Sympathy?
What is Impartial Sympathy?

Answer 25

1. Adam Smith
2. The theory that a feeling is virtuous because any impartial spectator would sympathize with it.

Question 26

Below are two situations, to which would an impartial spectator sympathize with? What does this imply?
1. You are crying because your dog just died.
2. You hit an old lady because you lost a game of pool.

Answer 26

1. They would sympathize.
2. They would not sympathize.
   If they would sympathize this means that the action is virtuous in nature.

Question 27

Why must the spectator be impartial in regards to Virtue Ethics?

Answer 27

We as humans are constantly reacting through biased lenses, so only a impartial spectator could respond properly.

Question 28

According to virtue ethics what two things corrupt Moral Sentiment?

Answer 28

1. Factions (tribalism)
2. Fanaticism (obsession W/a single ideology)

Question 29

According to Adam Smith…why do some actions shock or offend us?

Answer 29

Some feelings/actions shock all our natural and impartial sentiments. (Some things are naturally bad)

Question 30

Should you save your kid or 3 strangers?
What is morally correct according to…
1. Utilitarianism
2. Virtue Ethics

Answer 30

1. Save the strangers
2. Save your child

Question 31

Which is more moral according to…
1. Virtue Ethics
2. Deontology

A) I visit my friend in the hospital because I want to!
B) I visit my friend in the hospital because it’s rational.

Answer 31

1. A
2. B

Question 32

Which famous philosopher objected to Divine Command Theory?

Answer 32

Socrates

Question 33

Which philosopher is associated with Deontology? Which philosopher is associated with Utilitarianism?

Answer 33

1. Kant
2. Mill

Question 34

In what singular way do Kant and Mill agree?

Answer 34

They both disagree with Divine Command Theory.

Question 35

What makes an action…
1. Moral
2. Immoral
According to a Deontologist?

Answer 35

1. If it conforms to a national principle. (good rule)
2. If it violates a national principle.

Question 36

What makes an action…
1. Moral
2. Immoral
According to a Ultiliatinist?

Answer 36

1**. If it maximizes overall happiness. **
2. If it does not maximize overall happiness.

Question 37

How do Deontology and Utilitarianism interact with
a. Intention
b. Results

Answer 37

D: Intention > Results
U: Results > Intention

Question 38

What do we mean when we say “Good Rule?” Give an example.

Answer 38

A rule that is rational to everyone to follow.
(ex. Honesty, Trustfulness)

Question 39

How would a Deontologist and Ultiliantinist feel is the best course of action in these situations?
1. Hiding Anne Frank.
2. Forced Organ Donor
3. Franz Kafka
4. Wife Beating

Answer 39

1. D (Tell the truth)
   U (Lie)
2. D (Don’t steal the liver, don’t kill the person)
   U (Kill the innocent donor to save more ppl)
3. D (Keep promise and burn the book)
   U (Publish the book and break the promise)
4. D (Immoral)
   U (Immoral)

Question 40

What is the method for determining if an action is moral or immoral for a Utilitarianist?

Answer 40

The Calculation Method
(Calculating total happiness numerically)

Question 41

What is the method for determining if an action is moral or immoral for a Deontologist?

Answer 41

Using Categorical Imperative.
(Would I want everyone to follow this rule?)