Exam 1 Flashcards
What is Ethics?
Ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with questions about morality, including concepts like how we ought to live, idea of good, and concept such as right and wrong
Ethics explores various moral principles and how they apply to human conduct.
Define Descriptive Ethics.
The study of people’s beliefs about what is morally right or wrong, without making value judgments
Descriptive ethics focuses on understanding how different cultures perceive morality.
What is Moral Philosophy/Ethical Theory?
The systematic study of moral values and principles, attempting to provide frameworks for deciding what is right or wrong
Ethical theories aim to establish guidelines for moral conduct.
What is Applied Ethics?
The application of ethical theories to specific moral issues, such as abortion, euthanasia, or animal rights
Applied ethics seeks to address real-world ethical dilemmas.
Why study Ethics in light of Ethical Theory?
Ethical theory provides structured frameworks for understanding, evaluating, and addressing moral questions
It helps develop critical thinking about ethics beyond personal or cultural beliefs.
How is Morality distinct from Law?
Law involves rules enforced by authorities; morality concerns personal beliefs about right and wrong
Morality is more subjective and personal compared to the objective nature of law.
How is Morality distinct from Religion?
Religion is based on spiritual beliefs and practices, while morality is concerned with principles of right and wrong that don’t necessarily depend on religious teachings
Moral principles can exist independently of religious doctrine.
How is Morality distinct from Etiquette?
Etiquette concerns socially accepted behaviors and manners, while morality addresses deeper questions about what is right and just
Morality focuses on ethical implications, whereas etiquette is about social norms.
List the five traits of moral principles.
- Prescriptive
- Universal
- Impartial
- Reason-based
- Overriding
These traits help define the nature of moral principles.
What are the four domains of ethical assessment?
- Action
- Agent
- Outcome
- Context
These domains guide ethical evaluations in various situations.
Define Ethical Relativism.
The belief that moral principles are not absolute and may vary based on culture, context, or individual perspective
Ethical relativism emphasizes the diversity of moral beliefs.
What is Moral Objectivism?
The view that there are objective moral facts or truths that are independent of human beliefs or perceptions
Moral objectivism asserts the existence of universal moral standards.
Define Subjective Ethical Relativism.
The belief that moral judgments are based on individual feelings and perspectives; what is right or wrong depends on personal beliefs
Subjective ethical relativism prioritizes personal moral views.
List two appeals of Subjective Ethical Relativism.
- Promotes tolerance and acceptance of diverse moral views
- Acknowledges the validity of different personal experiences and beliefs
These appeals foster understanding among individuals with differing moral perspectives.
List two critiques of Subjective Ethical Relativism.
- Leads to moral subjectivity, making it difficult to criticize harmful practices
- Fails to resolve moral disagreements due to lack of objective standards
These critiques highlight the limitations of subjective relativism in moral discourse.
Define Conventional Ethical Relativism.
The belief that moral principles are justified by cultural acceptance
Conventional ethical relativism emphasizes the role of culture in shaping moral standards.
List two strengths of Conventional Ethical Relativism.
- Recognizes the importance of cultural context
- Encourages respect for cultural differences in moral practices
These strengths promote understanding and appreciation of diverse moral frameworks.
What is Ethnocentrism?
The belief that one’s own culture or group is superior to others and that other cultures should be judged by the standards of one’s own
Ethnocentrism can lead to misunderstanding and conflict between cultures.
Define Psychological Egoism.
The theory that all human actions are motivated by self-interest, even when they appear altruistic
Psychological egoism posits that true altruism does not exist.
What is the Argument from Self-Satisfaction?
The claim that even when people do good for others, they do so because it provides them satisfaction or pleasure
This argument suggests that all actions are ultimately self-serving.
List two critiques of Psychological Egoism.
- Overgeneralizes human behavior, ignoring altruistic motivations
- Fails to account for genuine self-sacrifice
These critiques challenge the validity of psychological egoism as a comprehensive theory.
What is Ethical Egoism?
The normative ethical theory that individuals ought to act in their own self-interest and pursue their own happiness
Ethical egoism promotes self-interest as a moral obligation.
Summarize Ayn Rand’s main ideas in Virtue of Selfishness.
Rand advocates for rational self-interest, asserting that individuals should live for their own sake and pursue their own happiness, rejecting altruism
Rand’s philosophy emphasizes individualism and personal fulfillment.
What is the Publicity Argument against Ethical Egoism?
If everyone acted selfishly, society would collapse because trust and cooperation would be undermined
This argument highlights the societal risks of unchecked self-interest.
What does Hobbes describe as the state of nature?
A condition where there is no government or authority, and individuals act based on their own self-interest, leading to conflict and insecurity
The state of nature is characterized by chaos and violence.
What are the consequences of the state of nature according to Hobbes?
Life is chaotic and violent because individuals constantly fear for their survival and compete for limited resources
This highlights the need for a structured society.
Define Social Contract.
An agreement where individuals consent to form a government or authority to provide security and protect their rights in exchange for some personal freedoms
The social contract aims to create order in society.
How does the social contract resolve the state of nature problem?
It creates a structured system of rules and enforcement that provides peace, order, and stability
This allows individuals to pursue self-interest without fear of violence.
What is the Modified Principle of Rational Self-Interest?
It is rational for an egoist to follow the social contract because it leads to better long-term outcomes for personal self-interest
This principle emphasizes the benefits of cooperation.
What are the eleven aspects of Mill’s Theory of Utilitarianism?
Happiness as the ultimate goal, promoting the greatest good for the greatest number, importance of impartiality, need to consider short-term and long-term consequences
These aspects outline the foundational principles of utilitarianism.
What is the difference between Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism?
- Act Utilitarianism focuses on individual actions and their consequences
- Rule Utilitarianism focuses on following rules that lead to the greatest happiness
This distinction highlights different approaches to utilitarian ethics.
List two strengths of Utilitarianism.
- Impartial and democratic, considering everyone’s happiness equally
- Provides a clear and measurable way to assess actions
These strengths make utilitarianism a practical ethical framework.
List two criticisms of Utilitarianism.
- Problem of formulation in measuring happiness
- No rest objection, demanding constant action to maximize happiness
These criticisms challenge the feasibility of utilitarian principles.
What is the ‘Ends Justifying Immoral Means’ critique of Utilitarianism?
Utilitarianism could justify harmful actions if they lead to a greater overall good
This raises ethical concerns about the morality of certain actions.
What is Hobbes’s state of nature?
A condition without government or authority where individuals act according to their own self-interest
In this state, life is described as ‘solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.’
What are the consequences of the state of nature according to Hobbes?
- No security or trust between individuals
- Constant conflict over resources and power
- No enforcement of agreements leads to betrayal and chaos
This results in a ‘war of all against all.’
What is the social contract theory proposed by Hobbes?
An agreement where individuals surrender certain freedoms to a central authority in exchange for security and protection
The central authority is referred to as the sovereign.
Why is the social contract rational for an egoist?
It provides stability needed for individuals to pursue their self-interest without the threat of violence or instability
Without it, the state of nature undermines comfort and security.
What is Mill’s view on self-sacrifice?
It can be morally justified if it leads to greater happiness or the well-being of others but is not inherently good
Must be evaluated based on consequences.
How does Mill view the role of motive in determining the morality of an action?
He emphasizes the consequences of actions rather than the motives behind them
The outcome matters more than why the action was performed.
What is Mill’s argument regarding the time it takes to calculate which action leads to the greatest happiness?
Individuals can rely on rules of thumb from past experience or social norms for quick evaluations
This allows for practical decision-making in everyday life.
Provide an example of self-sacrifice that Mill would justify.
A firefighter risks their life to save others if it leads to a greater overall benefit
This action is justified because it saves more lives.
How does Mill assess the action of donating money to charity?
He focuses on the consequence (helping the charity) rather than the person’s motive for donating
The motive may be self-serving, but the outcome is what matters.
What critique can be made against Mill’s position on utilitarianism?
Focusing solely on outcomes can justify immoral actions if they lead to good results
For example, lying to protect someone’s feelings could undermine honesty in the long term.
Fill in the blank: In Hobbes’s view, without laws to prevent violence, life would be _______.
‘solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short’
