Ethics (Kantianism and Utilitarianism)
What is the morally important aspect of an action according to Utilitarianism.
The action's consequences.
What does the question "Who gets what?" mean?
This questions asks how we should distribute and redistribute property in a society
Name atleast two possible sources of knowledge (evidence for knowledge).
Possible answers
1.) Senses
2.) Reason, Inference,
3.) Memory
4.) Testimony of others
5.) Intuition
6.) Divine Revelation
(In lecture 5 and 6 were labeled as "problematic")
What does "kind membership" refer to?
Kind membership just asked what type of thing we are. For example, are we a soul, a body, a human being, a political person? We can be members of different kinds at the same time (ex. human being and political person)
What is Normative Status? Give an example
A type of status attributed to one by a group (usually society) For example if I have a license, I have the normative status to drive. This is opposed to functional status. If I have functional status to drive I am able to drive but have not been qualified to do it yet by a particular group of people.
How does Kant's "universal in conception" test to determine if a maxim is moral work?
We ask ourselves a world where everyone followed this maxim could possibly exist. If no, it is not moral.
What does the questions "Who says what?" mean?
This questions asks who or how many people should be in power and what the process is for them to come into that position of power.
What is the difference between a Beleif and an Opinion?
A Beleif expresses what one beleives to be true, it claims to correspond to the facts. An opinion, on the other hand only expresses a particular point of view, it does not claim to correspond with any facts.
What is the difference between identity at a time and identity over time. Which is more important to philosophers
Identity at a time just means something remains the same thing at a particular time. So in this case, I could be one person at 10:00 AM but then a different person at 10:30AM because the time changed. Identity over time on the other hand means something remains the same over time. In this case I would remain myself across any period of time. Philosophers care about identity over time.
What is the difference between B (banal) and S (Special or Soul) Properties?
Banal properties are common to all things (matter, size, shape, ect.) While only living beings have S properties (Life, motility, sentience, rationality)
What is a deontological theory of ethics? What is the morally relevant aspect of an action and is Kantian or utilitarian ethics deontological?
Deontological ethics focus on the structure, or intention of an action as morally relevant rather than its results. Kantian ethics are deontological
What is the veil of ignorance or original position?
This is Rawl's proposal for the creation of just society. He claims if the people making the society are behind a "veil" in which they cannot see what particular place they will have in that society, then they will create a just one.
Name an issue with using testimony of others as evidence for knowledge.
If we let others tell us what is true we do not develop intellectual independence and may be manipulated by others/society at large
What is the difference between Numerical and Qualitative Identity? Which is what philosophers want when looking for the identity of a person?
Qualitative identiy is the identity between two things which are of the same type. An example would be two different cars that are the same color, model, and make. Numerical Identity is the identity of an object with itself. For example, the only thing numerically indentical to my blue Toyota Prius is itself, not another blue Toyota Prius. Philosophers want personal identity to be numerically identical.
Explain the philosophical difference between a Human Being and Person
Human beings are a biological kind, they do not have meet any moral requirements to be counted as a human being. On the other hand, persons do need to meet certain moral and functional requirements to be counted as a person.
Describe two issues with utilitarianasm
Possible Answers:
1.) We cannot calculate consequences for all persons into the indefinite future, too many variables
2.) No kinds of action are in principle wrong. Murder, torture ect. might be ok in certain circumstances
3.) No rights of individuals are respected, not even to their own life
What is the most important aspect of justice according to Nozick and how does this affect is view of the distribution of property?
Personal liberty. Due to this he believes that if a piece of property was justly acquired, it cannot justly be taken away from the individual who acquired it. (For example, he would not think the rich should be taxed more unless their wealth is unjustly acquired)
What is the difference between knowledge and belief?
Knowledge is factive, it always corresponds to the facts. While beleif claims to correspond to the facts it can turn out to be wrong, it could be a false belief.
Explain the alternative to the soul theory of personal identity
Continuity. Continuity means that even if something is changing, as long as the change is gradual, it can remain identical to itself. The form most philosophers use when dealing with personal identity is psychological continuity. Which means that our psychology (desires, beleifs, mental states ect.) which changes only gradually from moment to moment accounts for our personal identity.
Explain one argument given in lecture as to why death is not a "bad thing?"
What are the two roles Respect plays in Kant's theory of ethics?
Respect is integral to both formulations of the categorical imperative (the moral law). In the first forumlation, which states we should only act on maxims which we would want everyone to act on, respect for this law is important. In the second forumlation, which says to treat all people as ends in themselves, respect for induivudals as free, rational agents is important.
What is the main principle of justice for Rawls and how does it affect his view on distribution of property?
Fairness. Thus property should be redistributed towards this end as long as it does not interfere with anyone's basic rights.
In lecture knowledge was defined as having three parts, list this three parts and explain each one.
1.) It is a belief- A belief is a mental state which expresses a certain state of the world
2.) True-If a belief is true, it corresponds with the facts
3.) Justified-When a true beleif is justified, it does not only correspond to the facts, the belief was also caused by adequete evidence which was perceived accurately
Explain how a soul must be defined by philosophers if they want to to account for personal identity over time and explain why it must be defined this way
A soul must be immaterial, unchangable, and simple (meaning not able to break into parts). This needs to be the case because if it was changeable or could break into parts, it would not neccessarily stay numerically identical with itself.
Give two arguments that argue that death is a bad thing.
1.) It could deprive one of goods they could have enjoyed if they kept on living
2.) It could be a relational misfortune-a misfortune one can suffer even if they are never aware of it