Quiz 2

Question 1

what are arguments by analogy?

Answer 1

is an argument that relies on RELATIVE SIMILARTY between two things, to draw a conclusion that because these things are the same we should treat them the same

Question 2

Explain the child at the well story from Mengzi

Answer 2

Is a story Mengzi uses to illustrate the INHERENT GOODNESS OF PEOPLE. Mengzi believes that if you saw a child fall walking to the well/falling in the well we would all feel some sort of COMPASSION and ALARM

however Mengzi (in this story) is not concerned with the ACTION but rather the REACTION as an illustration of inherent good nature

Question 3

explain the Man from song story from Mengzi

Answer 3

is a story Mengzi uses to explain the CULTIVATION OF GOODNESS.

The man from song is a grain farmer who tries to yank on his grain to make it grow taller. This does not work and ultimately kills the grain.

shows you cannot achieve growth through impatience. But rather, through careful cultivation (watering, fertilizing, etc.) will one have a successful yield

Question 4

explain the sister in law analogy from Mengzi

Answer 4

is a story Mengzi uses to illustrate people NATURAL MORAL INSTINCTS an how it challenges PROPRIETY depending on circumstance.

Mengzi explains that if one were to see their sister in law falling into a well, their reaction would be to reach out and grab her hand to pull her to safety. However this goes against propriety as a brother in law is not supposed to tough a sister in law. But, the circumstances of her certain death override the norm and compel one to break norms in order to act ethically.

Question 5

explain the water analogy from Mengzi

Answer 5

Is an analogy used in an argument of basic human nature between Mengzi and Gaozi

Gaozi believes that human nature is morally neutral and is like water. Will flow freely east or west (good or bad) depending on it’s influences

However, Mengzi argues that human nature is like water except it’s nature is to flow downwards (good) and then circumstance (ie splashing) is what makes it move upward (bad)

Question 6

explain the willow tree analogy from Mengzi

Answer 6

is an analogy Mengzi uses in an argument with Gaozi to describe Human Nature

Gaozi believes that human nature is like a willow tree. It is merely RAW MATERIAL to him. Morally neutral but can be carved into secondary products which are representative of good principles.

However, Mengzi believes Gaozi is wrong because in his theory you would be destroying the human nature in order to arrive at the good principles.

Question 7

explain the Ox mountain story from Mengzi

Answer 7

is a story Mengzi uses to explain that human nature is like Ox Mountain and is changed by CIRCUMSTANCES

Naturally ox mountain is full of beautiful vegetation (good principle/will), but people came to the mountain and chopped down the trees, and animals came and ate all the vegetation (circumstance) this left ox mountain perpetually barren (bad)

Question 8

explain the Meat analogy from Mengzi

Answer 8

Is an analogy mengzi uses to describe the consistent nature of humans. He says that all people prefer similar flavors which says something about the consistency of human nature

Question 9

what is is “losing heart” as described by Mengzi and what is the impact of social conditions to it?

Answer 9

simply put when one has a value they “have heart” but when one begins to fail to recognize those values and strays from it then the are “losing their heart”

however he believes that social condition has a huge role to play in losing ones heart (ox mountain) and he believes that regaining heart is always possible

Question 10

Explain the implementation chart for character ethics (aka Mengzi)

Answer 10

1. criterion of judgement (arete): is it/am I virtuous
2. procedure/application (phronesis): cultivation
3. moral motivation (eudaimonia): flourishing

Question 11

what are the basic features of care ethics as described by Noddings?

Answer 11

-All people are obligated to act morally
-to be human is to care
-any person can be morally educated (except in cases of sociopathy, etc.)
-the ethical ideal guides much or moral behavior

OR

-it is concerned with the self and others
-it takes us as we are
-it limits obligations

Question 12

what is natural caring as opposed to ethical caring?

Answer 12

natural caring: “I want” and “I must” are the same, no ethical effort is required (parent and child relationship), foundational for ethics

ethical caring: “I want” and “I must” diverge, therefore, more effort is put into acting ethically

Question 13

explain what an ethical ideal is

Answer 13

the ethical ideal is just the picture of our best self, is different depending on the person

Question 14

explain Nodding’s view of selfhood

Answer 14

the self worth s tied to the ability to live up to the ethical ideal and who we are defines our obligation

Question 15

what is obligation according to Noddings?

what does she believe are the limitations on obligation?

Answer 15

Obligation is defined by who we are and we are obligated to care for others as long as we are in relation with them or have any potential to have a relationship with them

Obligation is limited by…
1. existence of or potential for relation
2. nature of potential relation
3. Working toward a relationship?

Question 16

what is the kitten example given and its implications on moral education according to Nodding?

Answer 16

In the kitten example, a little boy mishandles a kitten and potentially hurts the kitten, however the mother of the boy corrects him by explaining that he is hurting the cat, and we do not want to hurt other living things.

This illustrates that although not all actions are moral despite intentions, individuals can be taught how to act morally

Question 17

Implementation of Care ethics

Answer 17

not sure

Question 18

what is deontology, what are the basic features?

Answer 18

is the study of duty

(rule based moral theory)

Question 19

What are the basic ideas/assumptions of Kant?

Answer 19

all humans are rational and rationality is what guides will

Question 20

what are the features of moral law?

Answer 20

1. must be necessary
2. grounded in rationality not nature
3. good actions must be done for the sake of it

Question 21

according to kant what is the difference between necessary and contingent?

Answer 21

necessary: is not subject to change or circumstances
ex. humans are mammals

contingent: is subject to circumstances and change
ex. class meets in grant

Question 22

what is reason according to Kant?

Answer 22

something that guides will

Question 23

what is duty according to Kant?

Answer 23

to kant, duty is acting out of moral obligation for the “right reasons”

Question 24

what is will according to Kant?

Answer 24

will is guided by practical reason and it is the motivation to act specifically under the guidance of rationality

Question 25

what does Kant consider to be “good will”

Answer 25

good will is inherently (good in itself) and wholly good, and is a condition for happiness

Question 26

what is a maxim?

Answer 26

a maxim is any personal principle that guides ones actions

Question 27

what is the significance of rationality for morality according to Kant?

Answer 27

kant believes morality is made possible through rational though. Humans have the ability to reason through and decide on moral laws and actions.

If an action is not guided through rationality then it is guided by impulsivity or other force which is not heteronomic

Question 28

What is the role of intention and why we need rationality according to Kant?

Answer 28

to kant, intention has a big role in deciding the moral worth of an action. Intentions along with rationality are what determine good will

to kant an action has moral worth if it is done out of duty and respect for the categorical imperative

Question 29

what is autonomy v. heteronomy according to Kant

Answer 29

autonomy: self governance

heteronomy: governance from others

Question 29

what is the difference between hypothetical and categorical imperatives according to Kant

Answer 29

hypothetical imperatives are contingent, and they are good because of what they achieve

categorical imperatives are necessary and are an “I must” statement. They are the moral law. They do not necessarily help you achieve a specific end or goal. They are just done because it is what is right.

Question 30

what are the forms of moral Law? FUL, FAU, FOH

Answer 30

FUL-Formula of Universal Law

FAU- Formula of Autonomy

FOH- Formula of Humanity

Question 31

How do you apply the FUL?

Answer 31

decide if a maxim can be universalizable, or if it contradicts itself

the baby daddy ex.

Question 32

How do you apply the FOH, according to O’neil?

Answer 32

The formula of humanity is the idea that one must not treat another as a mere means. They must always consider a person as an ends.

Meaning: each party must consent to being utilized, therefore coercion, violence, etc. are never permissible to achieve ones goals.

Question 33

How do you apply the FAU?

Answer 33

we must act in a way that our maxims are legislation that is universally binding, and we must act in a way that maximized autonomy