Problem 4

Question 1

Ethics

Answer 1

Involves

1. systemizing
2. defending
3. recommending

concepts of right and wrong behavior

Question 2

Metaethics

Answer 2

Investigates where our ethical principles come from + what they mean

ex.: universal truths, will of God

Question 3

Normative ethics

Answer 3

Involves articulating

1. the good habits that we should acquire
2. duties we should follow
3. consequences our behaviors have on others

–> search for the ideal proper behavior

Question 4

Applied ethics

Answer 4

Examining specific controversial issues by using the conceptual tools of all 3 ethics areas

ex.: abortion, animal rights, nuclear war

Question 5

Psychological egoism

Answer 5

Suggests that self-oriented interests ultimately motivate all human actions

Question 6

Psychological hedonism

Answer 6

Suggests that pleasure is the specific driving force behind all of our actions

Question 7

Psychological altruism

Answer 7

Suggests that at least some of our actions are motivated by instinctive benevolence/goodness of the heart

Question 8

What is the golden rule of normative ethics ?

Answer 8

We should do to other what we would want others to do to us

–> helps determine what is right or wrong

Question 9

Virtue theory

Answer 9

Suggests that we do not act morally by following rules but acquire a trait, then behave in a manner consistent with it

–> acquiring good habits of manner

Question 10

Consequentialist normative theory

Answer 10

Suggests that correct moral conduct is determined by a cost-benefit analysis of an actions consequences

–> morally right if the consequence is more favorable than unfavorable

Question 11

Ethical egoism

(Consequentialist)

Answer 11

An action is morally right if the consequences of that action are more factorable than unfavorable only to the agent performing the action

Question 12

Ethical altruism

(Consequentialist)

Answer 12

Suggests that an action is morally right if the consequences of that action are more favorable than unfavorable to everyone except to the agent

Question 13

Utilitarianism

(Consequentialist)

Answer 13

Suggests that an action is morally right if the consequences of that action are more favorable than unfavorable to everyone

Question 14

Act-utilitarianism

Answer 14

We tally the consequences of each action, then determine case by case whether it is morally right or wrong

Question 15

Hedonistic utilitarianism

Answer 15

We tally the pleasure + pain which results from our actions

Question 16

Opposing to the virtue theory it is said that we follow rules to act morally.

How come ?

Answer 16

There are foundational duties and obligations that we have to follow irrespective of the consequences that might follow

ex.: caring for our children