Final Exam: Ethics

Question 1

Descriptive Ethics

Answer 1

Describes what people do, the morals of society

Question 2

Normative Ethics

Answer 2

Describes what people should do

Question 3

Methaethics

Answer 3

Explores the meaning of moral language; what do terms such as right, good, just mean?; In what different ways do we use them?; Are these terms any more than expressions of person preferences?

Question 4

Aretaic Ethics

Answer 4

“Virtue”; Focuses on the virtues produced in people rather than the morality of specific acts; Virtue and character is seen as important as how we resolve moral dilemmas

Question 5

Theocracy

Answer 5

Where the law of God is the law of the land

Question 6

Deontological

Answer 6

Ethical theory concerned with duties and rights.

Question 7

Teleological

Answer 7

Based on the end result

Question 8

Relativism

Answer 8

Right and wrong are not absolute but changing according to one’s culture or one’s own personal preferences

Question 9

Explain the major categories of Ethics

Answer 9

• Descriptive Ethics: describes what people do, the morals of society.
• Normative Ethics: describes what people do.
• Metaethics: explores the meaning of moral language.
• Aretaic ethics: Virtue; focuses on the virtues produced in people rather than the morality of specific acts; virtue and character is seen as important as how we resolve moral dilemmas.
• Moral judgments involve four specific considerations: (1) Consider the action itself, (2) evaluate the motive of the person, (3) evaluate the consequences of your actions and decisions, (4) evaluate the character or the moral actor

Question 10

Explain Rae’s ethical systems

Answer 10

• either action-oriented or virtue-based
• Deontological Systems: based on principles in which actions (or character, or even intentions) are inherently right or wrong; divine command theory; natural law; ethical rationalism.
• Teleological Systems: based on the end result of an action; the consequences determine whether something is right or wrong; utilitarianism is the most common form -> the action that produces the great good for the greatest number of people.
• Relativism: right and wrong are not absolute but changing according to one’s culture or one’s own personal preferences

Question 11

Describe Rae’s 7 steps for making moral decisions

Answer 11

(1) Gather the facts
(2) Determine the ethical issues
(3) What virtues/principles have a bearing on the case?
(4) List the alternatives
(5) Compare the alternatives with the virtues/principles
(6) Consider the consequences
(7) Make a decision

Question 12

Discuss abortion

Answer 12

Some of the legal background of abortion is:

• Roe V. Wade: a woman has a constitutional right to an abortion
• Doe v. Bolton: expanded what was meant by preserve life or health of mother -> included mental health of mother, or her family
• Planned Parenthood v. Danforth: permission of spouse or parent of a minor child is not required
• Webster v. Reproductive Health Services: the state is not obligated to pay for abortions for women who cannot afford them
• Planned Parenthood v. Casey: upheld the 24 hour waiting period.
• In the bible, it is seen as the fetus is a living human, so abortion is seen as murder
• Arguments in Support: a woman has the right to do with her body whatever she chooses.
• Arguments against: the primary argument against abortion is that it is the killing of a human being

Question 13

Discuss capital punishment

Answer 13

• Most people agree on the general morality of punishment for crime
• Arguments for capital punishment: capital punishment expresses an appropriate demand for justice in society; capital punishment provides a unique deterrent against crime; capital punishment is not cruel and unusual punishment
• Arguments against capital punishment: the death penalty undermines the dignity of persons made in the image of God and cheapens human life; mistakes are irreversible; death sentences are usually accompanied by long and expensive appeals

Question 14

Discuss sexual ethics

Answer 14

• Sexuality in the bible: you shall not commit adultery; sex is to be part of marriage
• Homosexuality: effeminate, promiscuous, a choice, only found in the artistic professions.
• Causes of homosexuality: genetics are hotly debated, daddy problems, close bonding with mother
• Homosexuality in the Bible: attraction is not condemned, acting upon it is; same with heterosexual relationships
• Birth Control: roman catholic prohibits it; bible never prohibits birth control;

Question 15

Summarize Jesus’ contrasts between the way of the world, and the way of his followers from Matthew 5

Answer 15

He says that you are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything other than trash to be misused. You are the light of the world, a light upon a hill cannot be hidden.

• He also speaks about telling the truth of the prophets, and unless our righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, we will NOT make it into the kingdom of heaven
• He then goes on about the sins of the world such as murder, adultery, divorce, then talks about the goods of the world such as loving your enemies, giving to the needy, and prayer, fasting, and then treasures in heaven.
• He speaks about what materialistic people may do, then compares what his followers should do and how they should live a life in the way that he did, we should walk in his path.