Quiz #6

Question 1

Moral Reasoning

Answer 1

Used when a decision is made about what we ought to or ought not to do.

Question 2

Moral Sentiments

Answer 2

Emotions that alert us to moral situations and motivate us to do what is right.

Question 3

Helper’s High

Answer 3

The feeling that occurs when we help other people.

Question 4

Conscience

Answer 4

A source of knowledge that provides us with knowledge about what is right or wrong.

Question 5

Compassion

Answer 5

Sympathy in action.

Question 6

Moral Outrage

Answer 6

Indignation in the presence of an injustice or violation of moral decency.

Question 7

Shame

Answer 7

A feeling resulting from the violation of a social norm.

Question 8

Moral Dilemma

Answer 8

A situation in which there is a conflict between moral values.

Question 9

Ethical Subjectivism

Answer 9

• One who believes that morality is nothing more than personal opinion or feelings. This theory claims that people create their own morality.
• “What I think is morally right might be different from what you believe is morally right. Therefore, all moral judgement are dependent upon the beliefs of individuals.”
• All opinions on moral issues are equally right according to this theory.

Question 10

Cultural Relativism

Answer 10

• People look to societal norms for what is morally right and wrong.
• Culture: a group of people who share beliefs, customs, characteristics, etc.

Question 11

Utilitarianism

Hint: “All’s well that ends well.”

Answer 11

• A moral philosophy in which actions are evaluated based on their consequences. Therefore, an action would be considered moral if the end result is morally good. Your intentions do not matter, only the consequences.

Question 12

Deontology

Answer 12

• The ethics of duty. We should do the right thing because we are morally obligated to do so. Your intentions, not the consequences of your action, are what count morally.
• Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative: when making a moral decision, we must…
  1) Ask whether this action should be universalized.
  2) Never use people as a means to an end; treat all people with dignity.
• Example: Lying is always morally wrong.

Question 13

Science

Answer 13

The use of reason to move from observable, measurable facts to hypotheses to testable explanations from those facts.

Question 14

Empiricism

Answer 14

The belief that our physical senses are the primary source of knowledge.

Question 15

Objectivity

Answer 15

The assumption that we can observe and study the physical world without any observer bias.

Question 16

Materialism

Answer 16

The belief that everything in the universe is composed of physical matter.

Question 17

Scientific Method

Answer 17

A process involving the rigorous, systematic application of observation and experimentation.

Question 18

Hypothesis

Answer 18

A proposed explanation for a particular set of phenomena.

Question 19

Pseudoscience

Answer 19

A body of explanations or hypotheses that masquerades as science.

Question 20

Placebo

Answer 20

A substance used in experiments that has no therapeutic effect.

Question 21

Normal science

Answer 21

Scientific research that is based on past achievements and is recognized by most scientists.

Question 22

Paradigm

Answer 22

The accepted view of what the world is like and how we should go about studying it.

Question 23

Scientific Revolution

Answer 23

A paradigm shift in which a new scientific theory replaces a problematic paradigm.

Question 24

What factors influence our moral beliefs?

Answer 24

• Our ability to use reasoning/critical thinking skills (rationality)
• Society’s norms/values
• Empathy/compassion toward others (emotions; our conscience)
• Religion
• Family relationships/environment
• Biology (frontal lobe cortex in the brain: think Phineas P. Gage)

Question 25

What is ethical theory? How many types of ethical theory are there? Which are they?

Answer 25

• Definition: A framework for explaining what makes actions and belief systems right or wrong, good or bad.
• Two types: relativism (morality depends on individuals’ beliefs or strictly on their culture) and universal (morality does not depend exclusively upon personal beliefs nor culture).

Question 26

What are some problems with relativism?

Answer 26

• Morality is arbitrary. There are no firm standards of morality if you believe in relativism.
• Cultural relativism seems to favor those in power, while it ignores the views of the “voiceless.”
• You cannot have rational arguments about ethical questions. Relativism is based on opinion or generalizations about cultures.

Question 27

The basic pattern of scientific reasoning

Answer 27

1. Identify the problem: In order for science to be useful, the problem must be testable; it can’t be about something observable. Empiricism, the belief that our physical senses are the primary source of knowledge, is a basic assumption of science.
2. Gather relevant data and develop an initial hypothesis. A hypothesis is an educated guess.
3. Gather additional information and refine the hypothesis. If the evidence gathered shows that the hypothesis is wrong, then it needs to be adjusted.
4. Test the hypothesis. The hypothesis predicts the results. If it turns out to be wrong, the hypothesis is wrong, it is unconfirmed and we reject it. If it turns out to be correct, further testing occurs. Science encourages challenges to theories.

Question 28

The three levels of thinking

Answer 28

From bottom to top:

1. Experience (observation)
2. Interpretation (hypothesis)
3. Analysis (experimentation/testing)

Question 29

Hypotheses become stronger each time…

Answer 29

The tests confirm its validity.

Question 30

Science cannot answer questions of meaning and value because…

Answer 30

They are not questions about verifiable facts.

Examples: questions of meaning (does the universe or life have a purpose?) and questions of value (ethical questions)

Question 31

How do you distinguish science from pseudoscience?

Answer 31

Pseudoscience is false science. It appears to be science, but it is not.

Ex: predicting the future, astrology, psychic, healing, numerology, tarot cards, ESP (mind reading), collective consciousness

Question 32

Pseudoscience and “miracle” cures

Answer 32

• Personal experience: “I tried it and worked.”
• Anecdotal evidence: “Someone else tried it and it worked.”
• Paid testimonials: “A famous actor or sports hero was glad to say it works.”
• Folklore: “An ancient practice says it works.”

Question 33

What are the six features of pseudoscience?

Answer 33

1. It makes claims that are not testable.
2. It makes claims that are inconsistent with well-established scientific truths.
3. It “explains away” or ignores falsifying data.
4. It uses vague language.
5. It is not progressive.
6. It often involves no serious effort to conduct research.