Teleological Ethics

Question 1

What is the principle of utility?

Answer 1

“The greatest happiness for the greatest number”

Question 2

What type of theory is “Act Utilitarianism”?

Answer 2

Teleological, Relativist, Consequentialist

Question 3

What does it mean to be a relativist theory?

Answer 3

An action is right or wrong depending on the situation

Question 4

What does pitman to be a consequentialist theory?

Answer 4

The morality of an action should depend on the consequences it brings about

Question 5

What are the benefits that should be considered about an action according to Bentham?

Answer 5

• duration of benefits
• intensity of said benefits
• how long until the benefits occur
• if there are going to be further benefits

Question 6

What are the three major parts of Bentham’s work?

Answer 6

• Motivation of human beings and the concept of good and bad
• Principle of utility
• Hedonic Calculus

Question 7

What are the seven criteria of the hedonic calculus (PRIDE FC) ?

Answer 7

Purity, Remoteness, Intensity, Duration, Extent, Fecundity, Certainty

Question 8

What is the criteria purity mean in the hedonic calculus?

Answer 8

How little pain is caused by the action

Question 9

What is the criteria remoteness mean in the hedonic calculus?

Answer 9

When the happiness will come into affect

Question 10

What is the criteria intensity mean in the hedonic calculus?

Answer 10

The strength of the happiness

Question 11

What is the criteria duration mean in the hedonic calculus?

Answer 11

The length of the happiness

Question 12

What is the criteria extent mean in the hedonic calculus?

Answer 12

The amount of people that will experience the happiness

Question 13

What is the criteria fecundity mean in the hedonic calculus?

Answer 13

What’s the likelihood that there will be further happiness from an act

Question 14

What is the criteria certainty mean in the hedonic calculus?

Answer 14

How sure are we that this action will cause happiness

Question 15

What was the purpose behind the hedonic calculus?

Answer 15

To calculate if an action should be done or not

Question 16

Who is associated with rule utilitarianism?

Answer 16

John Stuart Mill

Question 17

What type of theory is rule utilitarianism?

Answer 17

Relativist, Teleological and Consequentialist

Question 18

What is the difference between rule utilitarianism and act utilitarianism?

Answer 18

Bentham -> Quality

Mill -> Quantity

Question 19

How does Mill define happiness as?

Answer 19

Something cultural and spiritual rather than just physical

Question 20

What is a higher pleasure according to Mill?

Answer 20

Pleasures of the mind / intellectual pleasures and longer lasting e.g. studying, reading and other things of the same nature

Question 21

What is a lower pleasure according to Mill?

Answer 21

Pleasures of the body / physical pleasures and short term

Question 22

What is the harm principle?

Answer 22

Harm can only be done when it is for the greater good, common good, not just for personal gain.

Question 23

What is swine ethic?

Answer 23

The idea that a horrific act can be argued simply because the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the minority e.g. gang rape

Question 24

Mill supports altruism, what is altruism?

Answer 24

Putting others before yourself. The best way to ensure lasting happiness is for people to try and make each other happy.

Question 25

What was the expectations that mill had about altruism?

Answer 25

- Each person desires their own happiness - Therefore each person should aim for their own happiness - Therefore, everyone out to aim at the happiness of everyone (principle of universalisability) - Utilitarian rules are necessary to do this

Question 26

What is Strong Rule Utilitarianism?

Answer 26

People believe that the derived rules should never be disobeyed, but followed as moral absolutes

Question 27

What is Weak Rule Utilitarianism?

Answer 27

People believe that the rules set by this should be rough guidelines instead of absolutes and there can be alternative action that would bring better happiness

Question 28

How do rule utilitarians believe rules are formed?

Answer 28

They are formed using utilitarian principles for the benefit of society

Question 29

What is the basic principle that Fletcher uses to present Situation Ethics?

Answer 29

There is nothing which is good in itself except love

Question 30

What type of theory is situation ethics?

Answer 30

Relativist, Teleological and Consequentialist

Question 31

What is situation ethics?

Answer 31

Based on the primary principle of love, more importantly "agape" love which is a selfless love that puts the needs of others first.

Question 32

What does fletcher say that conscience is?

Answer 32

The description of a moral decision, not the decider of the moral decision. Meaning we shouldn't turn to our conscience.

Question 33

What is legalism?

Answer 33

An ethical approach based on rules which people make moral decisions using. And these rules shouldn't be broken

Question 34

What is Fletcher's view of legalism?

Answer 34

He thinks its silly for people to enter a situation already having what they should do decided for them instead of what they should do being decided in the moment

Question 35

What is antinomianism?

Answer 35

The idea that no one is under any obligation to obey laws in any capacity, no rule provides solutions instead it is found through intuition

Question 36

What is Fletcher's view of antinomianism?

Answer 36

It is insane to have no way to form decisions because this would simply result in anarchy

Question 37

What is the key quote said by the St Louis Cabbie?

Answer 37

"There are times a man has to push his principles aside and do the right thing"

Question 38

What are the four working principles of situation ethics?

Answer 38

- Personalism - Pragmatism - Theological Positivism - Relativism

Question 39

What is the meaning of the working principle personalism?

Answer 39

People must come first before the law

Question 40

What is the meaning of the working principle pragmatism?

Answer 40

The act must be pragmatic (practicable)

Question 41

What is the meaning of the working principle theological positivism?

Answer 41

It is essential to make a deliberate decision in favour of the claim of faith that 'God is love'

Question 42

What is the meaning of the working principle relativism?

Answer 42

Always act on the basis of relativism rather than absolutism

Question 43

What is the first of the six fundamental principles of situation ethics?

Answer 43

Nothing is good in and of itself except agape

Question 44

What is the second of the six fundamental principles of situation ethics?

Answer 44

The ruling norm of Christian decision making is love and nothing else

Question 45

What is the third of the six fundamental principles of situation ethics?

Answer 45

Love and justice are the same - justice is love distributed

Question 46

What is the fourth of the six fundamental principles of situation ethics?

Answer 46

Love wills the neighbour's good, whether we like him / her or not

Question 47

What is the fifth of the six fundamental principles of situation ethics?

Answer 47

Only the ends justifies the means.

Question 48

What is the sixth of the six fundamental principles of situation ethics?

Answer 48

Love's decisions are made in the context of particular situations

Question 49

What does situation ethics say about homosexuality?

Answer 49

Homosexual is ethical, if the motive is genuine love and not sexual desire -> if there is mutual commitment and responsibility in the relationship

Question 50

What does situation ethics say about polyamorous relationships?

Answer 50

Ethical if its genuine love, a loving relationship not just casual, this does not harm anyone but rather serves the better of everyone involved