Metaphysics Flashcards
According to Socrates, what is morality?
How we ought to live, and why.
Socrates said that an ___ life is not worth living.
Unexamined.
Baby Theresa had ___.
Anencephaly.
What is anencephaly?
Where the cerebrum and cerebellum are missing.
What was the thought process of the parents when they decided to kill the baby and donate the organs?
- If others can be benefitted without farming anyone else, we ought to do so.
- Transplanting organs would benefit other children without harming Baby Theresa.
- Therefore, we ought to transplant the organs.
What is the thought process of anyone who objects to the decision of Baby Theresa’s parents?
- We should not use other people as means to our ends.
- Taking Baby Theresa’s organs would be using her as a means to other people’s ends.
- Therefore, taking Baby Theresa’s organs would be wrong.
What is autonomy?
The ability to decide for themselves how to live their own lives, according to their own desires and values.
Is Baby Theresa considered to be an autonomous human being?
No, as she does to have volitions or a sense of self.
Why is Baby Theresa not being used as a means to an end?
Because she has no autonomy, and in a sense, she is not an “end.”
What does it mean to have “reason” and to be “impartial?”
Starting with a premise then moving to a conclusion, instead of jumping to a conclusion then justifying the premises. Instead of attacking the conclusion, examining the premises and finding out why they don’t lead to the conclusion.
Cultural relativism
Different cultures just have different ethical views, none of these views can be more correct or accurate than any others.
