ETHICS

Question 1

Define arête in the context of Greek philosophy.

Answer 1

Arête combines excellence (skill) and virtue (moral goodness), representing a holistic view of human capability.

Question 2

Explain the difference between excellence and virtue.

Answer 2

Excellence refers to skill or ability, while virtue pertains to moral goodness and character.

Question 3

Differentiate between ethics and morality.

Answer 3

Virtue
- Personal moral excellence or good character.
- Focused on individual character and traits.
- “What kind of person should I be?” Courage, honesty, integrity, and their role in morality.

Ethics
- Study of moral principles and right action.
- Broad, including societal rules and frameworks. “What should I do?” Ethical dilemmas, justice, societal norms.

Question 4

How does Socrates link knowledge to virtue?

Answer 4

Socrates argues that if one knows what is truly good, they will naturally act accordingly, connecting arête to knowledge.

Question 5

How does Plato conceptualize the Good?

Answer 5

Plato views the Good as a metaphysical ideal, a ‘Form’ that guides virtuous behavior but is elusive and abstract.

Question 6

What dilemma does Plato’s philosopher face regarding knowledge and societal duties?

Answer 6

Plato’s philosopher faces a paradox where gaining knowledge of the Good makes them less inclined to fulfill societal duties, such as returning to ‘the cave’.

Question 7

Discuss the relationship between the virtuous life and the fulfilling life according to Plato.

Answer 7

The tension in Plato’s philosophy reflects broader questions about whether the virtuous life always aligns with the most fulfilling life.

Question 8

Define deontological ethics.

Answer 8

Deontological ethics emphasizes universal moral laws and duties, asserting that certain acts are inherently right or wrong, regardless of outcomes.

Question 9

Summarize Kant’s view on breaking promises.

Answer 9

Kant argues that acts like breaking promises are always wrong because they undermine the very concept of promising.

Question 10

What is the categorical imperative in Kant’s moral philosophy?

Answer 10

The Categorical Imperative, by Immanuel Kant, is a moral rule that guides ethical behavior.
It says one should follow rules that could apply to everyone and always treat people with respect, valuing their dignity and independence.

It sets a universal standard for right and wrong, beyond personal desires.

Question 11

Explain the challenges faced by the naturalist approach to ethics.

Answer 11

The naturalist approach risks relativism, reducing ethics to what cultures happen to do.

Question 12

How did Kant propose to reconcile the views on ethics?

Answer 12

Kant proposed that reason could identify universal moral laws, though these laws are rooted in human limitations.

Question 13

Summarize Nietzsche’s perspective on ethics.

Answer 13

Nietzsche suggests that instead of discovering universal ‘goods,’ we should reflect on and redefine what we instinctively value.

Question 14

Describe the tension in ethics between relativism and transcendence.

Answer 14

Ethics exists in a tension between relativism, which suggests that moral values are subjective, and transcendence, which implies that some moral truths are absolute.

Question 15

Define consequentialism and its primary focus.

Answer 15

Consequentialism is an ethical theory that determines the morality of actions based on their outcomes, primarily focusing on maximizing happiness or well-being.

Question 16

How does utilitarianism relate to consequentialism?

Answer 16

Utilitarianism is a specific form of consequentialism that judges actions by their results, aiming to achieve the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

Question 17

Explain deontology and its key principle.

Answer 17

Deontology is an ethical theory that asserts certain actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of their consequences.

Question 18

What is ethical egoism and its main idea?

Answer 18

Ethical egoism is the moral theory that individuals should act in ways that maximize their own self-interest, prioritizing personal well-being.

Question 19

Define moral realism and its significance in ethics.

Answer 19

Moral realism is the view that moral facts exist independently of human beliefs or perceptions, asserting that there are objective moral truths.

Question 20

What is naturalism in the context of moral realism?

Answer 20

Naturalism is a variant of moral realism that grounds moral facts in natural properties, such as human well-being or societal harmony, influenced by thinkers like Aristotle and Hume.

Question 21

Describe non-natural moral realism.

Answer 21

Non-natural moral realism posits that moral facts are non-empirical and transcend human experience, suggesting that moral truths exist beyond observable phenomena.

Question 22

Identify a key influence on naturalism in moral realism.

Answer 22

Naturalism in moral realism is influenced by thinkers like Aristotle and Hume, who connected ethics to human nature and experience.

Question 23

What were Kant’s ideas on morality?

Answer 23

Immanuel Kant’s moral philosophy is rooted in deontology, emphasizing duty and rules over consequences. Categorical Imperative: Definition: A universal moral law derived from reason, applicable to all rational beings. Kant believed in absolute moral duties, such as the duty not to lie, even in extreme cases.

Question 24

Compare and contrast Aristotle’s, Kant’s, and Plato’s ideas on morality.

Answer 24

Aristotle’s ethics are practical, Plato’s are idealistic, and Kant’s are deontological and procedural. Aristotle focuses on achieving eudaimonia (flourishing) through virtuous activity and rational living, emphasizing practical wisdom (phronesis) and the balance between extremes (Doctrine of the Mean). His ethics are social and grounded in human experience. Plato, by contrast, emphasizes transcendent ideals, particularly the Form of the Good, with morality rooted in the harmony of the soul governed by reason. His approach is abstract and metaphysical, prioritizing philosophical contemplation over practical application. Kant, meanwhile, centers morality on rational autonomy and universal principles, such as the Categorical Imperative, judging actions based on adherence to moral law rather than consequences or virtues. While Aristotle and Plato stress the role of community in fostering ethics, Kant highlights individual autonomy.