Morality and Ethics

Question 1

Mrs. Cheveley thinks that ethics are just obedience.

Answer 1

“I have a distinct recollection of Lady Chiltern always getting the good conduct prize!” (MRS. CHEVELEY)

Question 2

Sir Robert offers a price for everything, not ethically correct

Answer 2

“My dear Sir Robert, you are a man of the world, and you have your price, I suppose.” (MRS. CHEVELEY)

Question 3

Lady Markby equates holding the highest principles with setting a good example.

For her, morals only matter if other people can see you upholding them.

Answer 3

“I am a little too old now, myself, to trouble about setting a good example, but I always admire people who do.” (LADY MARKBY)

Question 4

Sir Robert feels the need to school his wife on the realities of politics…but he doesn’t want to. He sounds a little childish with that last excuse, “Everyone’s doing it!”

Making more excuses about his immoral actions

Answer 4

“Sooner or later in political life one has to compromise. Every one does.” (SIR ROBERT CHILTERN)

Question 5

Lady Chiltern thinks of human behaviour as solid and unchanging, impervious to everything around it.

Situationism, that Wilde believed in.

Answer 5

“Circumstances should never alter principles!”(LADY CHILTERN)

Question 6

Mrs. Cheveley sounds like Lord Goring at certain points.

Mrs. Cheveley’s opinion on what morality is

Answer 6

“Morality is simply the attitude we adopt towards people whom we personally dislike.” (MRS. CHEVELEY)

Question 7

In a society as rule-oriented as Victorian England, this kind of statement is pretty radical.

Speaking through Lord Goring, Wilde is saying that personal preferences are what matters, not rules. (“Art is what one wears oneself”)

Answer 7

“I don’t like principles, father. I prefer prejudices.” (LORD GORING)