Test 2/Final Exam Study Guide Flashcards
So you can pass the ethics test
What is Hobbes view on the “state of nature”
People in a state of nature are (shit) egoistic equal have equal rights to everything warlike
Psychological Egoism
descriptive (is)
Ethical Egoism
prescriptive (ought)
What is the nature of the social contract between the people and the sovereign
The people offer compliance in exchange for the sovereign’s protection. The sovereign has absolute power, but that lasts as long has his power to protect does
What is a “free rider”
A person who does not give up their rights in the contract between the sovereign and the people
What is Locke’s view on “innate ideas”
Knowledge comes from the senses
What is Locke’s view on the state of nature
In a natural state people were kind, peaceful, good willed, etc. The government is a convience
What are natural rights according to Locke?
Life
Liberty
Pursuit of happiness
property
What is the nature of the social contract between people and the government
Our government is out of consent by the people and a convience
What are the 3 benefits of government according to Locke
Provides written laws
Enforces laws
Interprets laws
What are the 3 branches of government according to Locke
Legislative-written laws
Executive-enforces/interprets laws
Federative-international affairs
What is Rousseau’s view of nature
people are naturally happy, free, peaceful, pitie, healthy self love, perfectibilite (can improve)
Nature of the civil contract according to Rousseau
It is a false social contract because those in power make laws in order to preserve their power
What is “general will” according to Rousseau
the consensus of the people is the way to go with decisions
What is the nature of the social contract according to Rousseau
Retain power in the community, “general will”, the people are the ruled and the rulers, populous is king, a legislator codifies laws but people enforce them, there is a civic religion, and people are “forced to be free”
Forced to be free definition
the populous can force an individual to be apart of them
Benefits of Contractarianism
Benefits:
interpersonal
explains content of morality
content is objective
Concerns of Contractarianism
free riders
consent
rational
disagreement
What is the difference between voluntary, non-voluntary, and involuntary euthanasia
voluntary-person is competent and gives consent
non-voluntary-w/o consent,person incompetent
involuntary-w/o consent, person competent
What is the difference between active and passive euthanasia?
Active is where you bring the death, while passive is refusing to stop death. Ex: active is lethal injection while passive is refusing to resuscitate a person
Most common arguments (both pro and con) for euthansia
- sanctity of life v. right to die
- value of life v cost of caring
- diminished value of life (slippery slope) v compassion response
Jus ad bellum (reason to go to war)
- right authority
- right intention-love
- right cause- justice
- actual self-defense
- proportionality (war must lead to good/less evil)
- Just peace (don’t demolish enemy)
Jus in bello (war conduct)
- proportionality (fight with means that are fair. not nuking a third world country with bows and arrows)
- discrimination (non-fighters are safe)
How is immunity in war affected
Lost/jeopardized:
- bearing arms
- political responsibility
- giving material support
- certain situations
Difference between pacifism, nonviolent resistance, and abolutionism
Pacifists offer no violence at all and don’t involve themselves in the fight. Nonviolent resistance are protests (MLK and Gandhi). Abolitionists wish to end all war
Pros/cons of retributivism
punishment based on what you deserve Pro: 1. seems fair 2. backward looking Cons: 1. Can disguise revenge 2. No room for mercy 3. Moral pretentiousness 4. Attached innocent suffer
Pros/cons of Deterrence
Punishment based on prevention Pro: 1. effectiveness 2. Forward looking Con: 1. unfair 2. too harsh 3. not that affective
What are Bedau’s argument’s against capital punishment
- slow/inconsistent
- doesn’t account for crimes of passion
- not more effective than other punishments
- unfair
- irreversible
- barbaric
- expensive
What are Van der Haag’s arguments for capital punishment
- preserves justice even if it is unequal
- deterrence works
- special cases
- vengeance is irrelevant
- somethings are worth dying for
- proclaims and enforces our values
- Failure of nerve
What is Hardin’s argument considering poverty
because you can’t help everyone due to a lack of resources you can’t help anyone
Compare Singer’s strong thesis and his moderate one
- strong thesis-give until your funds equal the poors
2. moderate thesis-give until you have the minimum to support yourself and your moral causes
What are the problems attendant to aiding the poor
- Letting die v killing
- current world v future
- right to aid v right to money
- need v want
- near v far
- bad v awful
