Quiz 1 Flashcards
Discourse Ethics
Attempts to show that certain kinds of discourses have ethical obligations and normative features implicitly build in them
What sorts of moral obligations do you have when you make an assertation of claim that something is true or right to do
When two people make assertations, they do at least two things at the same time:
They let others know what they believe is true
they want others to agree with them
If the purpose is to have others agree with you, then you have the obligation to provide evidence, or make arguments for your claim
In genuinely coming to terms with others, what sorts of norms are we presupposed in the process?
- ) logical consistency
- ) Valid inferencing
- ) Standards of evidence
Cognitive dissonance
The theory that people experience anxiety when they encounter evidence that appears to disconfirm their invested beliefs. They tend to find ways to rationalize the evidence in order to hold onto the belief
Confirmation bias
The tendency to select only the data or evidence that supports one’s position and ignore or discredit any contradictory evidence
Be familiar with Kohlberg’s 6 stages of moral reasoning
PRECONVENTIONAL
Stage 1: punishment and obedience
Stage 2: Rules are followed if it is in one’s personal best interest to do so
CONVENTIONAL LEVEL
Stage 3: Acts that please others; gaining approval
Stage 4: Authority and social order
POST-CONVENTIONAL
Stage 5: Consensus-based rules
Stage 6:
Concern for living up to self-chosen principles
How does Carol Gilligan explain the differences between the way men tend to make moral judgments, versus the way women do?
- Girls tend to focus on the relationship and have an awareness between the connection between people
- boys tend to think in terms of objective considerations by ordered principles or concepts
What is Devine Command Theory?
- Includes the claim that morality is ultimately based on the commands of God. And that the morally right action is the one that God commands or required
- is an act good because God commands it, or does he command it because it’s good?
What is a Deontological Priniciple?
Deontological Principles stress that there are certain actions that simply should not be done, regardless of their consequences
ex.) lying is wrong
What is a consequentialist principle?
Consequentialist Principles might permit the action’s that Deontological Theories would not if it meant a great benefit for a large group
What is the Categorical Imperative?
“Act as if the maxim of your action were to become universal law” - Kant
…or: what if everyone did what you are about to do?
Ex.) Jews hiding in attic to protect them from Nazis. The Gestapo ask you if you are hiding them
Should you tell them?
The Categorical Imperative suggests that it would be wrong to lie
-People would argue that you have a bigger obligation to protect the innocent people than the truth to the Gestapo
What is the Utilitarian Principle?
Choose that action which creates the greatest happiness for the greatest number
What is the difference between Total and Average Principles?
Bentham: TOTAL PRINCIPLE: “All pleasures have equal value”
The addition of all positive utility for each individual, music the negative utility
Criticism: Values most favored in a group will dominate a group
Average Principle: An elite group dictates which pleasures are the right ones
Criticism of the Utilitarian Principle
Dictates what is to be enjoyed. Happiness can not be quantified
How is happiness defined in standard psychology?
Mental/emotional state of well-being which can be defined by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
How does Aristotle define happiness?
More in terms of how you live than how you feel
What does John Rawls mean by the Orginal Position?
In order for a decision to be fair, people should not argue out of self-interest
What does John Rawls mean by the Veil of Ignorance? What is its function?
To avoid people arguing out of self-interest…
Rawl says everyone is under a veil of ignorance. That is, they dont know any of their identifiers; they dont know their gender, race, etc.
FUNCTION: Each person has the same rights and duties as any other AND inequalities are justified only if they benefit others
When are inequalities Justified, according to Rawls?
If they benefit others
What are considered our Cardinal Virtues?
Temperance
Fairmindedness
Courage
Prudeness (wisdom)
What did Aristotle mean by virtue as being a balance between extremes?
A virtuous person was one who consistently hit that balance of too much or too little in regard to pleasure, fear, anger, or other emotions
What are the threefold values, according to the Hindu tradition?
Whatever energy/thought you send out into the Universe, the Universe sends back to you threefold
What is meant by AHIMSA in the Hindu tradition?
the principle of nonviolence toward all living things
What is meant by Karma in the Hindu tradition?
destiny or fate, following as effect from cause.
