moral standing Flashcards
what does giving to the point of Marginal Utility mean?
Singer- the point of marginal utility is the point at which, by giving any more, we risk becoming refugees ourselves. so were obligated to give a lot. but not what we need for basic survival (e.g. a home, food, a means of living). he uses this as a point because, as a utilitarian, singer recognizes that by giving any more, we are now decreasing our own welfare into what is basically the negative range
Onara Nell is concerned with justifiable killings. self defense is one way a killing might be justifiable. what’s the other way?
unavoidable killings are also justifiable. the under equipped lifeboat situation is one in which there aren’t enough provision for everyone to make it until we’re rescued (there’s enough for 10 people, we have 15). in order for it to be justifiable 1) the method of choosing who does must be fair (name in a hat) and 2) it can’t be the case that anyone has more claim on provisions than anyone else.
why would Singer and Nell agree that we are morally responsible for deaths that result from famine?
because we’re failing in abortive last moral duty which makes us responsible for these deaths. for Singer, it’s the fact that we’re failing in our duty To give to the point of marginal utility. for Nell, these deaths aren’t justifiable- we can’t morally account for the deaths (killings). since we have a duty to not kill someone unjustifiably, we’re responsible for these deaths.
describe Singer’s shallow pond case
imagine you’re walking by a shallow pond and you see a small child drowning. you could wade in and save the child but if you do, your clothes would get ruined. but this fails in comparison to the life of a child.
if it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without sacrificing something of comparable moral worth, then morally we ought to do it.
4 categories of moral acts
impermissible: acts that are wrong
permissible: acts that are fine
obligatory: acts that are required and would be wrong to not do
supererogatory: acts that are good to do but not immoral to fail to do
what is morally significant?
things that will contribute to your wellbeing.
if you really want a ps4 and without one it’ll drain on your wellbeing, you can go get one instead if giving to famine relief.
4 categories of moral acts
impermissible: acts that are wrong
permissible: acts that are fine
obligatory: acts that are required and would be wrong to not do
supererogatory: acts that are good to do but not immoral to fail to do
what is morally significant?
things that will contribute to your wellbeing.
if you really want a ps4 and without one it’ll drain on your wellbeing, you can go get one instead if giving to famine relief.
4 categories of moral acts
impermissible: acts that are wrong
permissible: acts that are fine
obligatory: acts that are required and would be wrong to not do
supererogatory: acts that are good to do but not immoral to fail to do
what is morally significant?
things that will contribute to your wellbeing.
if you really want a ps4 and without one it’ll drain on your wellbeing, you can go get one instead if giving to famine relief.
