Principles of Ethics

Question 1

What do you need to act as a moral agent

Answer 1

knowledge of the principles of ethics and justice

Question 2

What is a moral agent?

Answer 2

Someone who can see right from wrong

Question 3

Ethics looks at

Answer 3

right/wrong, good/evil, justice, social and political ideals

Question 4

Logic is:

Answer 4

study of the rules of reasoning

Question 5

Epistemology

Answer 5

A study of the origin of knowledge and belief.

Descartes: imagine if the world we live in is just a toy for a super being that is just messing with us

Question 6

Metaphysics

Answer 6

Explaining the fundamentals of reality, appearance, existence and knowledge beyond this world

Question 7

What is an ethical dilemma?

Answer 7

When possible solutions are all bad, but a decision must be made

Question 8

Do ethical theories give you the right answer?

Answer 8

Not always, they simply guide you and make you think before acting

Question 9

Consequentialism = utilitarianism, basic theory?

Answer 9

Theory that focuses attention on the result of an action, or a consequence
- Ethical desicion produces the greatest benefit for the greatest number of people and or the least harm
- John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

Question 10

Problems with consequentialism = utilitarianism

Answer 10

• quanifiying utility for all stakeholders is difficult and subjective
  > everyone must be treated equally and equally considered
  > minority rights may be compromised for the benefit of a larger group

Question 11

What is deontology and two branches / philosophers?

Answer 11

Consequence dont matter, what matters are principles

Duty Ethics - Kant (1724-1804)
Rights Ethics - John Locke (1632-1704)

Question 12

Duty Ethics

Answer 12

everyone has a duty to act in a correct ethical manner (be honest, be fair, dont cause suffering)

Question 13

Rights ethics

Answer 13

Everyone has rights by virtue of extistence. There rights must be respected. Right to life, liberty and prosperity

Question 14

Categorical imperative test

Answer 14

universal principle which is binding regardless of the consequence

Question 15

Veil of ignorance

Answer 15

Test to determine if an action is fair or just
- everyone is considered to be equal partners who must agree on the principles of concern (no names, iedntity, status, sex, color etc)
- john Rawls

Question 16

Canadian fundamental freedoms

Answer 16

• freedom of conscience and religion
• freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including - freedom of the press and other media of comms
• ## freedom of peaceful assembly

Question 17

mobility of citizens

Answer 17

every citizen has the right to enter, remain in and leave Canada

Question 18

Rights to move and gain livelihood

Answer 18

• move to and take up residence in any province
• pursue the gaining of a livelihood in any province

Question 19

Virtue ethics

Answer 19

aristotle,
- a good object, person is virtuous and it serves a good purpose
- an act is good if it is in accordance with reason and virtues
- integrity of the actor is more important than the act itself

Question 20

Golden mean

Answer 20

a moderate compromise between two extremes of excess and deficiency
IE: between:
- humility and vanity is modesty

Question 21

How does our legal system ackowledge that intention matter

Answer 21

accidents are less harshly punished than premeditated harm

Question 22

Where does virtue ethics work well?

Answer 22

where established community norms are present
- It does not work so well when norms are not accepted, or when it applies beyond the community