Quiz 2 Flashcards
what are arguments by analogy?
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
Explain the child at the well story from Mengzi
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
explain the Man from song story from Mengzi
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
explain the sister in law analogy from Mengzi
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.
explain the water analogy from Mengzi
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)
explain the willow tree analogy from Mengzi
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.
explain the Ox mountain story from Mengzi
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)
explain the Meat analogy from Mengzi
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
what is is “losing heart” as described by Mengzi and what is the impact of social conditions to it?
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
Explain the implementation chart for character ethics (aka Mengzi)
- criterion of judgement (arete): is it/am I virtuous
- procedure/application (phronesis): cultivation
- moral motivation (eudaimonia): flourishing
what are the basic features of care ethics as described by Noddings?
-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
what is natural caring as opposed to ethical caring?
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
explain what an ethical ideal is
the ethical ideal is just the picture of our best self, is different depending on the person
explain Nodding’s view of selfhood
the self worth s tied to the ability to live up to the ethical ideal and who we are defines our obligation
what is obligation according to Noddings?
what does she believe are the limitations on obligation?
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?
what is the kitten example given and its implications on moral education according to Nodding?
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
Implementation of Care ethics
not sure
what is deontology, what are the basic features?
is the study of duty
(rule based moral theory)
What are the basic ideas/assumptions of Kant?
all humans are rational and rationality is what guides will
what are the features of moral law?
- must be necessary
- grounded in rationality not nature
- good actions must be done for the sake of it
according to kant what is the difference between necessary and contingent?
necessary: is not subject to change or circumstances
ex. humans are mammals
contingent: is subject to circumstances and change
ex. class meets in grant
what is reason according to Kant?
something that guides will
what is duty according to Kant?
to kant, duty is acting out of moral obligation for the “right reasons”
what is will according to Kant?
will is guided by practical reason and it is the motivation to act specifically under the guidance of rationality
what does Kant consider to be “good will”
good will is inherently (good in itself) and wholly good, and is a condition for happiness
what is a maxim?
a maxim is any personal principle that guides ones actions
what is the significance of rationality for morality according to Kant?
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
What is the role of intention and why we need rationality according to Kant?
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
what is autonomy v. heteronomy according to Kant
autonomy: self governance
heteronomy: governance from others
what is the difference between hypothetical and categorical imperatives according to Kant
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.
what are the forms of moral Law? FUL, FAU, FOH
FUL-Formula of Universal Law
FAU- Formula of Autonomy
FOH- Formula of Humanity
How do you apply the FUL?
decide if a maxim can be universalizable, or if it contradicts itself
the baby daddy ex.
How do you apply the FOH, according to O’neil?
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.
How do you apply the FAU?
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
