unit 3: moral philosophy

Question 1

consequentialism (utilitarianism principle)

Answer 1

the morality of an action can be judged by its consequences / a choice can only be good or bad based on the consequences of that choice

Question 2

maximalism (utilitarianism principle)

Answer 2

consequences which promote pleasure and reduces pain the most are moral

Question 3

universalism (utilitarianism principle)

Answer 3

everyone’s pleasure and pain is of equal moral value

Question 4

act utilitarianism (utilitarianism principle)

Answer 4

an action is morally right if it, compared to alternatives most increases pleasure and reduces pain

Question 5

rule utilitarianism (utilitarianism principle)

Answer 5

we should follow general rules that most increase pleasure and reduce pain

Question 6

ethical calculus (utilitarianism principle)

Answer 6

moral decisions should be made by measuring the amount of pleasure created and pain prevented

Question 7

impracticality (utilitarianism criticism)

Answer 7

it is impractical to make moral decisions based on consequences before the consequences are known

consequentialism and ethical calculus

Question 8

using people as means (utilitarianism criticism)

Answer 8

collective pleasure can be used to justify inflicting pain on individuals or acting deceptively

universalism and maximalism

Question 9

hedonism (utilitarianism criticism)

Answer 9

considering only pleasure and pain is too limited and other factors should be considered

consequentialism, universalism, and maximalism

Question 10

rule collapses into act (utilitarianism criticism)

Answer 10

rule utilitarianism does not solve any issues, as it eventually just collapses into act utilitarianism

Question 11

ethical egosim (utilitarianism criticism)

Answer 11

being concerned with everyone’s pleasure and pain is not moral, and our predominant concern should be ourselves

universalism

Question 12

autonomy (Kantianism principle)

Answer 12

central to morality is the ability of an individual to make moral decisions using their reason, independent from interference

Question 13

good will (Kantianism principle)

Answer 13

the intention behind an action is the ultimate criterion for its morality

Question 14

deontology (Kantianism principle)

Answer 14

the morality of an action is determined by a set of inviolable rules, rather than other factors such as consequences

created from autonomy and good will

Question 15

categorical imperative - first formulation (Kantianism principle)

Answer 15

an action is only moral if you could will for everyone to act that way always without contradiction

deontology rules

Question 16

categorical imperative - second formulation (Kantianism principle)

Answer 16

act so that you always treat people as ends in themselves, and never merely use them as means

deontology rules

Question 17

duties conflict (Kantianism criticisms)

Answer 17

duties can conflict, with no clear method of resolution

categorical imperatives

Question 18

rigidity (Kantianism criticisms)

Answer 18

ignoring consequences can have negative consequences

deontology and categorical imperatives

Question 19

impotent intentions (Kantianism criticisms)

Answer 19

being well intentioned is not enough

good will

Question 20

heteronomy (Kantianism criticisms)

Answer 20

moral decision making is not motivated by reason alone

autonomy

Question 21

virtues

Answer 21

attitudes, dispositions, or character traits that enable us to be and to act in ways that develop this potential. enable us to pursue the ideals we have adopted

Question 22

virtue ethics

Answer 22

moral theory that focuses on the development of virtuous character
(virtues are engrained dispositions to act by standards of excellence)
in virtue ethics, character is the key to the moral life, for it is from a virtuous character that moral conduct and values naturally arise

Question 23

ethical absolutism

Answer 23

the belief that there exists absolute standards against which moral questions can be judged, and that certain actions are right or wrong regardless of the context of the act

Question 24

ethical relativism

Answer 24

the belief that there are no universal moral rules and principles which apply to a persons, in all places and times

Question 25

contradiction in conception

Answer 25

(categorical imperative - first formulation)

e.g. cheating in exams
if everyone cheated in exams when they wanted to then the practice of giving exams would break down - contradiction in conception

Question 26

contradiction in will

Answer 26

(categorical imperative - first formulation)

e.g. if everyone discriminates against people whose race is different than their own then you would be discriminated against also, something you would not will