Midterm 1: Short Answer Flashcards
- What is the naturalistic fallacy in ethics?
The naturalist fallacy in ethics is the idea that “what ought to be” is not based on “what is”. In other words, just because something occurs naturally does not mean that it is the morally correct thing. An example of the naturalistic fallacy would be claiming that humans have historically always
competed for resources among one another, so acting in selfishness is morally good because it
is natural.
- What is emotivism in ethics?
Emotivism is a
metaethical theory that suggests that our moral beliefs are a direct result of our emotions and are an expression of them, as opposed to suggesting that they are objective truths.
- What is sociobiology?
Sociobiology suggests that our human moral behavior can be examined throughout history as we
evolutionize. As opposed to the idea that our ethical framework develops from our cultural/social
experiences, sociobiology emphasizes that is develops from our biology.
- What is ‘Hume’s law’?
‘Hume’s law’ separates statements between being normative vs descriptive. Normative statements are made to describes the way things “should be”. An example of a normative statement would be “We should put others before ourselves always.” A descriptive statement is made to describe what “is”.
An example of a descriptive statement would be “We generally put others before ourselves when
we can.” In short, ‘Hume’s Law’ emphasizes that just because something is a certain way, does not
mean that it should be or ought to be applied that way.
- What does Zack mean when she suggests that we need a “critical reading” of the philosophical tradition?
Zack is suggesting that we need a “critical reading” to challenge philosophical tradition because she is emphasizing that examining philosophical statements/ideas should be viewed from a critical perspective, in order to understand how certain
philosophical ideas may not have taken minority
groups into consideration when constructing them. Zack emphasizes that most philosophical texts
are conducted by white, male, and eurocentric ideologies that do not align with the complexities of minority groups.
- What was the basic point of Plato’s
Euthyphro?
Plato’s basic point of Euthyphro was to question whether something is morally right because God
believes it to be so, or does God believe something is morally right because it is morally right. Plato
challenges the Divine Command Theory, as he questions the idea that if the Gods are bound by a moral standard, then they cannot be the source of morality because they did not establish it.
- How does Gandhi describe “the religion that underlies all religions”?
Gandhi describes “the religion that underlies all religions” as universal truths that are the root of all core values of religion. Gandhi emphasizes that ahimsa (non-violence), love, and satya (truth)
are universal concepts established in some way with all religions.
- What does it mean to suggest that secular, cosmopolitan values are Eurocentric?
To suggest that secular, cosmopolitcan values are Eurocentric means that some value have been developed and shaped by eurocentric ideas that neglect other cultures and religions that are not apart of European/Western groups. Secular values, like individual rights and freedom of religion, are values developed by European philosophers that were applicable to these groups and believed to be the “standard” but did not take others into consideration.
- Explain the basic idea of value pluralism.
Value pluralism suggests that there are multiple different values and no single set of values are universal or the “truth”. It also emphasizes that conflicting values and morals can coexist in a
society, and that there is not always a resolution of these conflicts.
- What is Nussbaum’s “capabilities approach”?
Nussbaum’s “capabilities approach” is a series of values or “capabilities” that provide a framework for
all potential possibilities when it comes to assessing our well-being. Nussbaum’s places a high emphasis on establishing individual freedom and choice with the “capabilities approach”.
- What is Ross’s idea of prima facie duties
Ross’s idea of prima facie duties focuses more on the idea that there is a list of moral duties that we intuitively follow, and that these duties can be conflicting with one another. The seven prima facie duties are fidelity, reparation, gratitude, justice, beneficiance, self-improvement, and
maleficence.
- Explain difference between descriptive relativism and metaethical relativism.
Descriptive relativism and metaethical relativism are both concepts that address the diversity of
morality. However, descriptive relativism suggests that there are different moral beliefs among cultures/societies/groups that are neither correct nor wrong, while metaethical relativism further establishes the idea that there are no objective moral truths, and that each groups holds its own values that they believe to be correct/incorrect.
- Explain how the idea of cultural competence is related to worries about ethnocentrism
Cultural competence emphasizes that we should be open and understanding of other cultures/religions/social groups to avoid discrimination or bias. This is linked to worries of ethnocentrism
because cultural competence is designed to correct the influence of ethnocentrism, which has a bias towards European/Western ideas that can be discriminative to other groups.
- How are nihilism and skepticism related to moral realism?
Nihilism and Skepticism both are responses to moral realism but approach the concept differently. Nihilism suggests that moral values do not exist and that there are no objective moral truths because there are no objective facts to confirm them. Skepticism poses questions against established objective moral truths that do not necessarily deny their existence, but is argued that we are not capable of confirming they are true.
- What would a feminist like Superson say about relativism?
A feminist like Superson would not be in favor of relativsm. Superson places great emphasis that feminist need to be absolute in their belief and take on an absolutist approach to feminism. Relativism would leave room for oppressive practices to continue to occur.
