Test 1

Question 0

The philosophical school that endorses the idea that “all we have are arguments”.

Answer 0

Sophists

Question 1

The art of persuasion

Answer 1

Rhetoric

Question 2

Everywhere

Answer 2

Ubiquitous

Question 3

Questions about the nature of things.

Answer 3

Metaphysics

Question 4

Describes the way things are.

Answer 4

Descriptive Ethics

Question 5

Real answers can be found to moral questions and are not a mere matter of culture.

Answer 5

Realism

Question 6

Moral judgments are related to their culture, religion, class, etc.
No rational basis for ethical claims.
They are simply a product of our environment.

Answer 6

Descriptive Relativism

Question 7

Outcome of descriptive relativism.

Who knows anything?

Answer 7

Philosophical Skepticism

Question 8

A critical analysis of views, rather than accepting things at face value.

Answer 8

Skepticism

Question 9

Outcome of descriptive relativism.
Each culture’s morals are right for that culture.
Because we are just products of our cultures.

Answer 9

Ethical Relativism

Question 10

1. “such a view would not be held if impartially considered”
2. “our views are inconsistent”
3. our “view has acceptable implications for actions”

Answer 10

3 ways to undermine an ethical claim

Question 11

Ontological; built into the very structure of reality, mysterious, cosmic, “our master”

Answer 11

Transcendent

Question 12

The study of being.

Answer 12

Ontology

Question 13

A function of pleasure.
Good = Pleasure
Evil = Pain

Answer 13

Hedonistic

Question 14

Good and evil are social constructs and are either totally illusory or are useful constructs, that allow society to function. No mystery, morality a tool that serves man, we are its master.
Morality is made, and therefore can be remade.
Therefore it can be a tool by which to justify the position of the powerful.

Answer 14

Illusion/Useful Fiction

Question 15

Usually leads to a religious interpretation of life.

The Good is seen as truth and/or God (the source of our very being) and evil is seen as the loss of that truth.

Answer 15

Transcendence

Question 16

Two popular ways Transcendent explains evil

Answer 16

Corruption

Evil is the opposite of Good

Question 17

Pleasure, pleasure, pleasure. Immediate Gratification.

Worried about our experiences (here and now)

Answer 17

Crude Hedonism

Question 18

Embraces deeper/long term pleasures.

“Happiness”, Friendship, etc.

Answer 18

Philosophical Hedonism

Question 19

“The more you pursue pleasure the further it is from your grasp.”

Answer 19

The Paradox of Hedonism

Question 20

Related to relativism
Concerned about the abuse of the powerful on the powerless. The powerful make and enforce the laws; which can be designed to suit the needs of those in power.

Answer 20

Morality as a Fiction

Question 21

How can an omnipotent and good God allow evil? Doesn’t evil prove that God is either not omnipotent or not good?

Answer 21

The Problem of Evil

Question 22

Christian morality distorts a true understanding of good and evil, and the nature of morality.
True morality is the “will to power”
The powerful rise above and dominate the weak.
If morality is a fiction, there is no such thing as abuse.
The weak align themselves with Christian morality not because it is true but because it hampers the powerful.
The weak “resent” the powerful.
“God is Dead”

Answer 22

Nietzsche

Question 23

Modern society not the pinnacle of human achievement
The growth caused by modernity has led to standardization of culture in much of the world and a false sense of universality and ‘human nature’
Normality/Abnormality culturally defined.
Human morals are born of culture

Answer 23

Benedict’s Case for Relativism

Question 24

Culture matters, no one can escape the influence of culture | Both progress and regress is possible

Answer 24

Strength of Benedict

Question 25

Simon: Just because there are different moralities (descriptive relativism) it does not follow that there are no right answers. The existence of different answers does not necessarily imply that there is no right answer. If morality is mere culture, then to acknowledge culture as the root of all morality is itself culturally defined.

Answer 25

Weakness of Benedict

Question 26

They do not need to deny the importance and power of culture. They simply need to deny that morality is only a matter of culture (washing hands)

Answer 26

Realism can admit to Cultural Influence

Question 27

Judging is necessary Judgment allows us to see past prejudice, but only if we're allowed to judge. Morality requires judgement.

Answer 27

Elshtain

Question 28

Informed

Answer 28

Judgment

Question 29

Ignorant

Answer 29

Prejudice

Question 30

Victimization and "self-esteem" run amok. Inability to appreciate the difference between the doer and the deed. Any criticism is considered an unbearable personal attack. To be held accountable and responsible. Standards and behavior matter.

Answer 30

Gave Judgment a Bad Name (Elshtain)

Question 31

Fair rather than punitive. Willing to embrace compassion Acts may be considered wrong but people should be considered redeemable.

Answer 31

Good Judgment

Question 32

Is moral judgment merely "a kind of coinage valid only in the country of its origin"?

Answer 32

Moral Isolationism

Question 33

This would leave us in the untenable position of neither criticizing nor receiving criticism. Prohibits praise as much as it prohibits condemnation. Although we should reject crude judgment it is the crudeness not the judgment that is the problem. Our ability to judge our own culture would be deeply impaired.

Answer 33

Reasons to Reject Moral Isolationism

Question 34

If there was really an isolating barrier, then our own culture could never have been formed. Our culture consists of many different cultural influences.

Answer 34

Midgley's Clincher

Question 35

(Questioning) Pushes us closer to the truth by testing positions so we know what to accept or reject and how strongly or weakly to accept them.

Answer 35

Socratic Method

Question 36

What we ought to think and do.

Answer 36

Normative Ethics

Question 37

Allows us to critically examine our assumptions. Unwilling to accept the status quo just because it is the status quo. Instead we should be willing to examine and clarify our beliefs.

Answer 37

Value of Philosophy

Question 38

Consensus/disagreement are not the fix or the problem. What counts is the reasons we give to support our claims. All disagreement proves is disagreement.

Answer 38

Reasons Simon Critiques Relativism

Question 39

Unwillingness to condemn any behavior. | May be a reaction to moral bullying by groups.

Answer 39

Absolutophobia

Question 40

Admit that moral reasoning while to reveal truths, is not mathmatic. Commit to impartiality. Systemic consistency. Applying thinking to concrete examples.

Answer 40

Ways to be a Realist without being a Fanatic

Question 41

Different schools of thought for Good & Evil

Answer 41

Transcendent Hedonistic Illusion/Useful Fiction

Question 42

A falling away from the truth, a falling away from our intended being; a lack of being. Christianity usually interprets evil this way.

Answer 42

Corruption

Question 43

Two cosmic forces battling each other. | Good needs Bad.

Answer 43

Evil is the opposite of Good

Question 44

Nietzsche's Assumptions

Answer 44

``` Christian Ethics (Slave Morality) Will to Power (Master Morality) ```

Question 45

Human dignity, Equality before God, Reality of God, Humility, kindness, forgiveness, etc. are virtues.

Answer 45

Christian Ethics (Slave Morality)

Question 46

Humans are clearly unequal in skill, intelligence, courage, etc. God is a fiction, therefore equality before God is a fiction. To pretend otherwise merely restrains human excellence, pride, and ability. It celebrates "the herd" at the cost of individual excellence.

Answer 46

Will to Power (Master Morality)