Quiz 2

Question 1

Define pro-environmental behaviour

Answer 1

Actions that benefit the environment and society, often without direct individual benefits. These actions tend to be moral behaviours.

Question 2

List the 3 values influencing pro-environmental behavour

Answer 2

• Egoistic values: focus on self
• Altruistic values: focus on others
• Biosphere values: focus on ecosystem and biosphere

Question 3

What is the difference between mean and green behaviour?

Answer 3

Mean: driven by egoistical values, often less environmentally friendly when costs are high

Green: driven by altruistic and biosphere values, seen as the moral behaviour

Question 4

How to improve pro-environmental behaviour?

Answer 4

1. Make pro-environment behaviour more salient through awareness campaigns and making teaching the societal benefits
2. Reduce conflict between egoistic and altruistic values by incentivizing pro-environment actions and disincentivizing environmental harm

Question 5

Name Rachels’ 2 key features of morality

Answer 5

1. guide conduct by reason (be rational)
2. Equal weight to others interests

Question 6

Name Rachel’s 3 points in morality definition

Answer 6

1. Universality
2. Objectivity
3. Altruism

Question 7

Name 3 reasons STEM students should study ethics

Answer 7

1. Personal reasons (clarify views, “living well”
2. Professional reasons (decision making, consistency)
3. Improve conflict resolution

Question 8

Name the 3 objections to Rachel’s morality definition

Answer 8

1. Relativism
2. Subjectivism
3. Egoism

Question 9

Critique the objection “relativism”

Answer 9

Relativism ignores situations that are normal in one culture but are clearly unethical (e.g. FGM). Also, tolerating any actions because “culture” means that anything immoral can be tolerated.

Question 10

Critique the objection “subjectivism”

Answer 10

Subjectivism doesn’t account for humans making mistakes in their judgement of right and wrong. Also, subjectivism is based on individual opinions and does not argue against any rules

Question 11

Define and critique the objection “Psychological egoism”

Answer 11

Psychological egoism: claims people are always motivated by self interest

This oversimplifies human motivation. E.g. Volunteer work can have multiple motivations.

Question 12

Define and critique the objection “Ethical egoism”

Answer 12

Ethical egoism: claims individuals should act in their own self-interest

If everyone acts in their own self-interests, logical contradictions emerge (person A and B kill and live example)

Question 13

Define virtue ethics

Answer 13

Concerned with virtues or dispositions of character, suggesting humans should strive for self improvement

Question 14

What is eudaimonia?

Answer 14

The highest good and aim of life. Lifestyle guided by virtues

Question 15

What is the golden mean?

Answer 15

The balance between virtues’ excess and deficiency (e.g. being honest, but not in a hurtful way)

Question 16

T/F Anscombe and MacIntyre are in favour of virtue ethics

Answer 16

True

Question 17

What is virtue ethics’ validity challenged by?

Answer 17

Relativism: different cultures have different virtues

Question 18

What is duty ethics?

Answer 18

Ethics based on moral obligations. Only actions performed for the sake of duty have moral worth.

Question 19

Name the 3 formulations of categorical imperative

Answer 19

1. Formula of universal law
2. Formula of humanity
3. Formula of the kingdom of ends

Question 20

Name 3 propositions for moral worth in duty ethics

Answer 20

1. Action must be done out of duty
2. Moral worth lies in the intended outcome
3. Duty must respect moral law

Question 21

Define consequentialist ethics

Answer 21

Evaluates if the consequences of actions improve the state of affairs for everyone involved

Question 22

Name the 3 principles of consequentialist ethics

Answer 22

1. Situations requiring evaluation have standards based on happiness and welfare
2. Outcomes of an action are good if they add to happiness or welfare
3. Happiness and welfare may be reduced for some for improved happiness or welfare of a larger group

Question 23

Define Care ethics

Answer 23

Emphasizes care and empathy in moral reasoning