Lecture 7. Chapter 5&9 Flashcards
What is Psychological Egoism?
Psychological Egoism is a descriptive theory. It
maintains that people are inherently self-interested
and they always act based on self-interest. As a
result, altruism is not possible.
Psychological Egoism claims we
have no choice; we always act based on self interest.
What kind of theory is Psychological Egoism?
Psychological Egoism is a descriptive theory. It
describes how people act. It claims that we always act
based on self interest and we cannot do otherwise.
What is Ethical Egoism? What kind of theory is it?
Ethical Egoism claims that we SHOULD act based on self interest. It is a Normative Theory.
The morally right act, for any particular situation, is the act that will most greatly benefit oneself.
[Book] What is Psychological Situationism?
The view that various aspects of a person’s situation (i.e. decision frame) influence their behavior (particularly their willingness to help others) and even how they think.
These include factors completely irrelevant to morality.
What is Altruism?
A concern for the well-being of others independent of any self-interest.
[Book] What is a Decision Frame?
Includes how a problem is presented and the entire context of the problem as the actor sees it: the choices, their consequences, and all surrounding influences.
In Hobbes’ view, if human nature is egoistic and there are limited resources, what results?
conflict (war) will arise as a result of competition for resources, fear of others, or attempts at glory
According to Hobbes and Locke, how do we get out of the state of nature?
Engage in a social contract. Hobbes thinks that the contract should be enforced by an absolute ruler. Locke thinks it should be enforced by a limited ruler
Which elements of John Locke’s ideas influenced The Declaration of Independence?
His idea that humans have unalienable rights and that it is the obligation of a ruler to protect those rights. If a ruler fails to protect his subject’s God-given rights, revolt is justifiable
According to Locke, can a subject engage in a social contract with an absolute ruler?
No. In order to engage in a social contract, all parties must have the ability to break the contract
A morally permissible action can be
Obligatory or optional. If the action is optional, it can be neutral or supererogatory.
What are some challenges to Ethical Egoism?
It does not satisfy Pojman’s standards regarding a good moral theory as it cannot be made public. Further, it advocates the prioritizing oneself (or one’s group) above all other; this is the foundation of all discriminatory practices.
[Book] What is a Social Contract?
An agreement established by a set of people (in actuality or theoretically) to set up a social system that fairly benefits all.
[Book] What is a Right?
Confers upon its holder a moral privilege to protect, utilize, or exercise control over something. It is a claim one person may validly make upon another.
[Book] What is the State of Nature?
For Locke, a moral and social condition for people in which no government or formal civil society exists.
[Book] What is an Original Position?
Imagines free and rational persons as contract negotiators.
[Book] What is the veil of ignorance?
Those in the original position are under this veil, made equal by their lacking any knowledge about their actual lives, beliefs, advantages, and so on.
[Book] What is the Equality Principle?
Gives equal liberties, rights, and duties to all by the initial contract.
[Book] What is the Difference Principle?
Adds certain social and economic inequalities for the benefit of all but never so as to suspend the equality principle. (e.g. more pay for certain jobs and more power for certain positions of authority)
Rawls
[Book] What is Tacit Consent?
The idea that people born into an existing contract effectively consent to that contract by participating as adults in the state and accepting its benefits.
[Book] What is an Inalienable Right?
A right that cannot morally be given up or taken away (e.g. life, liberty); an alienable right can be {e.g. property)
[Book] What is a Positive Right?
Allows us to make claims on what others should do for us; negative rights allow us to make claims on what others should not do to us.
Positive Rights: The right to expect help from others if you are injured on the side of the road.
Negative Rights: Your right of property, for instance, requires that others do not trespass on your land or use your things without permission.
[Book] What are Human Rights?
The UN’s list of human rights includes natural rights, civil rights, and manifesto rights. The UN’s human rights extend beyond Rawls’s set of human rights.
[Book] What are Manifesto Rights?
“Rights” intended to emphasize the moral importance of pressing human needs and concerns.
