Introduction to Philosophy

Question 1

What is morality?

Answer 1

A set of moral principles or ideals and moral judgments.

Question 2

What is ethics?

Answer 2

The study of moral principles or ideals and how they bear on practical issues. Reflection on and analysis of how we use moral ideals.

Question 3

What distinguishes moral judgments from other sorts of statements?

Answer 3

Moral judgments are evaluative, they are “oughts” and “shoulds” - they are more than just descriptive. They also don’t have any “ifs” attached.

Ex. Patients ought to be involved in their own care.

vs.

You ought to go to bed early if you want to be alert tomorrow.

Question 4

What is the relationship between what philosophers do when they study ethics and what moral agents do when they make moral judgments?

Answer 4

• ethics helps us identify/clarify/articulate our morals

- helps us analyze situations and come to a reasoned decision