Facts, Values, and Ethical Reasoning

Question 1

What are facts?

Answer 1

Claims about the world that have been, or can in principle be, verified by empirical methods

Question 2

What are values?

Answer 2

Claims about, or expressions of, things like preferences, attitudes, emotions, and aesthetic appreciation

Question 3

What are thick concepts?

Answer 3

Claims that have both factual and evaluative content

Question 4

Explain what consequentialism would assert is the morally right action in any given situation.

Answer 4

Of all the things a person might do at any given moment, the morally right action is the one with the best overall consequences

Question 5

List 3 criticisms of consequentialism.

Answer 5

It leaves open:
1. What makes consequences good or bad

2. What types of consequences are relevant
3. How different consequences should be weighed against each other

Question 6

Explain what utilitarianism would assert is the morally right action in any given situation.

Answer 6

The right thing to do at any given moment is that which maximises pleasure and minimises pain / suffering

Question 7

What is the fundamental principle of deontology?

Answer 7

Rules govern actions and we have a duty to abide by them regardless of cost

Question 8

Which ethical principle does deontology seek to respect and how?

Answer 8

Autonomy - because it is the only way of respecting an individuals right to determine their own life

Question 9

List the 4 principles of biomedical ethics.

Answer 9

Respect for autonomy

Beneficence

Non-maleficence

Justice

Question 10

What does virtue ethics focus on?

Answer 10

The character of the person, not their actions

Question 11

What is a key concept in virtue ethics?

Answer 11

Courage