Theme 1 (Ethical Thought) Flashcards
(32 cards)
1) What is Divine Command Theory?
2) How is God the regulator of morality?
1) An ethical framework which focuses on the idea that morality is determined by God’s commands
2) God has the authority to command what is right and wrong and humans are expected to follow this. Good behaviours are only seen as good because God commanded them.
How is right and wrong based on objective truth?
+ why is objective truth based on God’s command?
DCT suggests that there are absolute moral standards that are not influenced by human emotions or opinions. (These are fundamentally based on God’s commands)
+ God is seen as the embodiment of goodness and therefore his commands reflect an ultimate standard of morality
How is moral goodness achieved through complying with the command?
+ examples to support this
When people follow God’s command they align themselves with the ultimate moral standard. Some believe you will face wrath if you don’t follow this
+ e.g Adam & Eve being banished from the Garden of Eden
+ Qu’ran states you cannot be morally good if you commit adultery
Why is DCT a requirement of God’s omnipotence?
+ why is DCT an objective Metaphysical Foundation for Morality?
- if moral laws existed independently of God his authority and power would be diminished
- an all powerful being must have power over everything including morality
+ it establishes a clear connection between God’s will and moral truths which provides stability & guidance in decision making
+ if the universe was created by a personal moral being it makes sense that morality came from this
What is Robert Adams’ ‘Modified Divine Command Theory’ and why is it based on God’s omnibenevolence?
- God is a perfectly good being and a key feature of his character is omnibenevolence
- Therefore, his commands and morality reflect his omnibenevolence
- God and good exist independently of each other
What is the Euthyphro Dilemma?
+ who inspired it?
- The critical question of “Is something good because God commands it, or does God command it because it is good?”
- DCT could allow God to command evil
+ Ancient Greek philosopher Plato inspired the concept through his character named Euthyphro.
What is the Arbitrariness Problem?
- The Divine Command Theory appears to propose that morality is arbitrary and therefore is based on God’s own personal whim not an ethical system
- God’s whim is not an adequate foundation for universal morality.
What is the Pluralism Objection?
+ examples to support this idea
The idea that in a world of many religions it is essentially impossible for us to know which god’s commands to follow.
This is worsened by the fact that some religious commands from the same being contradict each other
+ Catholics see contraception as a sin but Protestants don’t.
+ In Islam divorce is morally acceptable unlike in Christianity
Divine Command Theory Key Quotes
” God’s commands are the standard for moral rightness” (Adams)
“If God commands us to do something, it is morally obligatory” (Craig)
“God sets the moral rules and God’s rules apply to all” (Baggini)
“Morality… is ultimately grounded in the perfect nature of God” (Austin)
“Is what is morally good commanded by God because it is morally good, or is it morally good because it is commanded by God?” (Plato)
“the Lord your God will be merciful if you listen and keep to all his commands”
“They come down direct from Heaven, and are eternally valid” (Robinson)
What type of ethical system is Virtue Theory?
- emphasises the importance of an individual’s character
- focus on consequences of actions or rules governing actions
- focuses on the development of virtues and reduction of vices as this means behaving in a morally correct manner
Why is there a focus on the person’s character rather than their actions? (VT)
- belief that a person’s actions are reflections of their character
- a virtuous person will naturally make the right choices because their character is aligned w moral values
- encourages cultivation of good character traits that lead to ethical behaviour
What are Aristotle’s moral issues? (two types of virtue?)
Moral Virtues are acquired through habit and are essential for achieving ‘eudaimonia’
e.g courage, temperance & justice
Intellectual Virtues are related to our minds and improving the quality of them (developed via education)
e.g intelligence, wisdom & prudence
What is the Doctrine of the Mean?
+ example
- how did Aristotle believe this occured?
Another one of Aristotle’s moral issues. He argued that achieving each virtue is done by balancing two extremes or vices (deficiency and excess)
+ courage is the mean between rashness & cowardice
- via practice (if you carry out the golden mean you will be an accepted, successful member of the community)
What is Phronesis?
Practical wisdom
- this helps people decide what the ‘golden mean’ action is in any moral situation.
- needed as the mid-point is not fixed and may vary depending on the situation.
What are Aristotle’s Moral Issues based on?
- the idea of eudaimonia or happiness from being a successful member of the community
- the development of character through the practice of moral virtues
What are Jesus’ teachings about Virtues? (The Beatitudes)
+ examples
Each virtue mentioned is considered ‘blessed’ and has a spiritual reward that comes with it. Jesus’ blessing is praise in recognition of the virtuous quality shown
+ “Blessed are the merciful” (virtue of compassion)
+ “Blessed are the peacemakers” (virtue of justice)
Why are virtues not a practical guide to moral behaviour?
+ they sometimes lack specificity in guiding individual actions
+ may be interpreted differently in different contexts
+ can ignore external factors influencing behaviour
+ can be unhelpful in moral dilemmas
What are the issues of Cultural Relativism and Virtue Theory?
- moral values and virtues are not universal and vary between diff cultures
- virtues may be seen as v important in one culture and unimportant in another
- criticised for taking too much of an individualistic approach
How can virtues be used for immoral acts?
+ people can use virtues to perform evil/bad actions e.g killing someone using your courage
+ there is also no guarantee that a moral outcome is achieved via an action as the consequences for others are not considered.
Virtue Theory Key Quotes
“The good for man is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue” (Aristotle)
“eudamonia… is an activity in accordance with virtue” (Mackie)
“Every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good” (Aristotle)
“Virtue… is a mean between two vices” (Aris)
“the virtues are those qualities that enable us to achieve good ends” (Foot)
“Virtue is not a solidarity state; it is something we achieve within a community” (MacIntyre)
What is altruism?
+ How does Ethical Egoism focus on self-interest as opposed to altruism?
(which religious idea does this link to?)
selfless concern for the well-being of others. Acting in a way which promotes the interest of others, often at a personal cost
+ acting out of self-interest to ensure that the outcome is advantageous for yourself
+ individuals have a moral obligation to prioritise their own needs & desires to maximize their own well-being
(karma & real and apparent goods)
How does this ethical theory match the moral agent’s psychological state?
+ what evidence is there to support this?
humans are naturally motivated by self-interest as so humans should follow Ethical Egoism as this supports our natural psychological state
+ survival instinct
What is psychological egoism?
(Religious link?)
+ how does this contrast to Ethical Egoism?
a theory which argues that ethical egoism is our natural state
- see altruistic actions as egotistical because either sub/consciously we do them for self gain e.g to feel good about yourself
(Aristotles’ apparent goods)
+ ethical egoism prescribes how we “ought always to act self-interestedly” (Driver).
Why is there a concentration on long-term self-interests rather than short-term interests?
+ example
- fulfilling short term interests may have terrible effects on the moral agent in the long-term
- encourages individuals to consider broader implications of their choices
+ donating to charity may be part of a long term plan such as wanting to gain good karma to go to Moksha
