Philosophy Unit

Question 1

morals

Answer 1

principles that guide individual conduct within society
standards of behavior that we use to judge right and wrong

Question 2

ethics

Answer 2

framework for understanding and interpreting morals
codes of conduct
can also be interchangeable with morals

Question 3

moral philosophy

Answer 3

contemplation of morals/right and wrong
3 branches: meta-ethics, normative ethics, applied ethics
Veil of Ignorance

Question 4

meta-ethics [moral philosophy]

Answer 4

investigates big picture questions: What is morality? What is justice? Is there truth?

Question 5

normative ethics [moral philosophy]

Answer 5

framework for deciding what we SHOULD do, what is right/wrong
includes deontology, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics

Question 6

applied ethics [moral philosophy]

Answer 6

addresses specific, practical issues of moral importance; ex. war, death sentence

Question 7

The Veil of Ignorance

Answer 7

when you are deciding what will make a more fair society, imagine that you could be anyone of any background. ignorant of social class, race, ability, gender, etc.

Question 8

moral reasoning

Answer 8

applies moral philosophy to specific events and situations
applies logic to moral theories

Question 9

moral dumbfounding

Answer 9

people often reach strong moral conclusions that they can’t logically defend

Question 10

moral emotions

Answer 10

emotions that play a significant role in ethical decision-making
inner-directed negative emotions; ex. guilt, embarrassment, shame
outer-directed negative emotions; ex. directing anger, disgust at others’ unethical acts
positive emotions; ex. gratitude and admiration
emotions from suffering; ex. empathy often motivates altriusm

Question 11

liberty principle [Veil of Ignorance]

Answer 11

social contract should ensure that everyone enjoys the maximum liberty possible without intruding on freedom of others

Question 12

difference principle [Veil of Ignorance]

Answer 12

everyone has an equal opportunity to prosper, help people who are worse off

Question 13

deontology

Answer 13

from Immanuel Kant
uses rules to distinguish what is right and wrong with disregard for consequences
opposite: consequentialism, which judges actions by results
ex. not lying whatsoever

Question 14

utilitarianism

Answer 14

determine right/wrong from outcomes, greatest good for the greatest number
common in military and business
limit: insufficiently accounts for values (justice, individual rights). hard to know whether outcome will be certainly good or bad

Question 15

virtue ethics

Answer 15

character-based approach that assumes we acquire virtue thorugh practice
ex. Batman doesn’t kill the Joker because doing so would make him a different character

Question 16

behavioral ethics

Answer 16

why people act as they do; even with good intentions, can make poor ethical choices
research based in behavioral psychology, cognitive sciences, and evolutionary biology
most ehtical choices are made by feeling/intuition, reflect internal bias, self-serving bias, outside pressures, and situational factors