moral philosophy Flashcards

Question

Kant - lying

Answer 1

lying is the 'greatest violation of a human being's duty to himself regarded merely as moral being' There is no right to lie, always a moral wrong. Leads to contradiction when put into the categorical imperative

Answer 2

In completely corrupted system, duties might change a little. Still, moral costs, so you still have to live with the consequences of moral blame.

Answer 3

moral rightness of an action depends only on its consequences

Answer 4

Moral rightness of an act depends on the rule behind the act, whereas the moral rule is justified by guaranteeing the highest benefit

Answer 5

moral rightness of something depends only on the consequences

Answer 6

the evaluation of the consequences does not depend on the perspective of the observer (impartiality)

Answer 7

greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong Happiness = the sum of pleasure and pain Principle of utility = calculus of happiness

Answer 8

There is always pleasure and pain involved in our actions, so irrational to not take this into account. Only measure we have for morality

Answer 9

action that is confirmable to this principle (to increase happiness of those involved) is ought to be done

Answer 10

Is there room for interests of a minority Is there any room for altruism? Animals involved as well? --> should also take into account the people involved (are they able to do the certain action) + often don't know the consequences of our actions

Answer 11

no stable character

Answer 12

Qualitative hedonism: we give higher values to certain pleasures Human nature: desire of perfection and sympathy for fellow human beings, beyond self-interest Maximize pleasure, minimize pain

Answer 13

Chil drowning in small pond, not saving it because of personal reasons Condemn this person, because of this, but at the same time we are all doing this all the time We still have a moral obligation to save the child far away, although he is not next to us

Answer 14

Negative state of nature, where humans will create a fight of all againsst all We should give freedom in order to have authority of a sovereign

Answer 15

amour de soi --> amour de propre Within state of nature, it was good

Answer 16

Contract into more of a moral theory Original position, behind a veil of ignorance, where parties do not know their real position. Creates impartiality

Answer 17

liberty principle: equally provided with liberties Difference principle: fair distribution of income and wealth, least of group should benefit most Liberty principle is superior to difference principle

Answer 18

We are ready to accept constraints, since it is in our overall interest and we need cooperation. So we comply to some rules for overall interest Quite a negative view, only for our future best interests Universal rational bargain

Answer 19

Moral wrongness is something not being justifiable based on reason. Right thing to do is something everyone could reasonably agree on

Answer 20

aggregation: have to save the most non-aggregation: not about the counting lives or happiness, but about tossing a coin, since this is the most fair since everyone can reasonably agree on this. Everyone has the same chance, minorities are not ignored. Desire to justify oneself towards others is based on desire to be respected.

Answer 21

Scanlon wants full knowledge instead of veil of ignorance, so actions can be justified on grounds that cannot be reasonably rejected. Veil of ignorance can help with finding principles no one can reject.

Answer 22

dangers of morals: a poison, at the expense of the future Necessity of a fundamental critique of moral values: re-evaluation of all values system of morality goes against nature and against reason, systems of morals are only a sign-language of the emotions

Answer 23

Good (noble) versus bad (despicable/ inferior) Creator of values, artifice and enthusiasm --> devotion with passion. Active attitude Will to power

Answer 24

Evil (power/ superiority) versus good (patience, diligence, humility) Dictate of utility, desire for freedom Attitude of saying no, restrictions, etc. Being obedient instead of taking power to re-evaluate and create values. Being overruled/ suppressed)

Answer 25

will to live > will to power Whatever we do is based on the will to power, which is based on surviving (evolution) Super-moral individual: sovereign is really free, competent to promise, instead of breaded to make promises and be obedient

Answer 26

Reflective morality demands observation of particular situations, rather than fixed adherence to a priori principles Circumstances alter cases, which means in every situation different things might be right or wrong Similar to virtue ethics

Answer 27

Social experiments In certain situations, people might change their moral norms because they are forced, because of the situation they are put in, etc.

Answer 28

offered to kill one person, instead of 20 being killed by the other people. Difference between active killing and letting die Involvement?/ responsibility? Perfect duty of not killing versus principle of utility and saving the most.

Answer 29

Conflict --> objective conflict between different arguments/ reasons (can often be resolved) Dilemma --> agent is torn between different options, no moral reasoning can override the other (Daniel Statman) --> e.g. Jim example

Answer 30

husband has too little money for drugs, while the druggist makes lots of money from the drugs. Should he let his wife die or break in and steal some of the drug? Can explain from different theories, but no theory overrides the other

Answer 31

preconventional morality 1. obedience and punishment orientation 2. individualism and exchange conventional morality 3. good interpersonal relationships 4. maintaining the social order Postconventional morality 5. social contract and individual rights 6. universal principles

Answer 32

1. Agent ought to do A and ought to do B 2. A and B are incompatible in this situation 3. A and B both involve doing evil 4. This evil is serious, 'dramatic' 5. There is no moral consideration for one to override the other option 6. Agent knows conditions 1-5

Answer 33

1. agent is required to do each of two (or more) options 2. the agent can do each of the actions 3. agent cannot do both or all of the actions 4. the agent thus seems condemned to moral failure

Answer 34

Conflict cannot be solved, neither by compromise or by compensation, or by integration. No moral consideration for one to override the other Are alternatives symmetrical and incommensurable?

Answer 35

1. actions itself involve doing evil 2. not doing the action involves doing evil

Answer 36

It's the essence of these dilemmas that those facing them have no morally acceptable options --> options should be morally unbearable, but there is no option to refrain from the moral game (Daniel Statman)

Answer 37

sympathy and value of individuals with the relationship Caring attitude, affects, interests, etc. are important Agents should perform actions that fulfill interests, with caring actions and activities. Not a moral ought, but something that we should do in response to relationships with others and in interest of others. Care, empathy