Morality Basics
What is the minimum conception of morality?
Being guided by reason and giving equal consideration to everyone’s interests.
What does Divine Command Theory claim?
Actions are right because God commands them.
What is Ethical Egoism?
The view that people should act in their own self-interest.
What is Marquis’s “Future Like Ours” (FLO) argument?
Abortion is wrong because it deprives a fetus of a valuable future.
What is Singer’s main argument?
Suffering matters equally regardless of species; speciesism is unjustified.
Why can’t moral judgments be based only on feelings?
Feelings are biased, unreliable, and do not provide reasons.
What is the Euthyphro Dilemma?
Is something good because God commands it, or does God command it because it’s good?
What is the main flaw in Ethical Egoism?
It cannot resolve conflicts and denies equal moral consideration.
What is Thomson’s Violinist analogy designed to show?
You are not obligated to sustain another life with your body.
What is speciesism?
Discrimination based on species, similar to racism or sexism.
What’s the main problem with cultural relativism?
It prevents criticizing harmful cultural practices or recognizing moral progress.
Why is Divine Command Theory considered problematic?
It makes morality arbitrary and dependent on God’s commands.
Define Utilitarianism.
The right action maximizes overall happiness for the greatest number.
According to Thomson, does the right to life include the right to use someone’s body?
No—it doesn’t include that right.
What is Machan’s key claim about animal rights?
Animals lack moral agency and therefore cannot have rights.
What does simple subjectivism claim?
“Moral statements describe personal attitudes” (“X is wrong” = “I disapprove of X.”)
According to Rachels, what issue arises from interpreting God’s commands?
Holy texts contradict each other, making interpretation unreliable.
What is one major criticism of Utilitarianism?
It can justify harming innocents if it increases total happiness.
What type of pregnancy cases does Thomson say allow abortion?
Rape, failed contraception, health risks, or forced pregnancy.
What moral expectation does Machan still believe humans have toward animals?
We must treat animals humanely, even if they lack rights.
What is Emotivism?
The view that moral statements express emotions and attempt to influence behavior.
Does morality depend on religion according to Rachels?
No—morality can be reason-based, independent of religion.
What does Kant’s Humanity Principle state?
Treat people as ends in themselves, never merely as means.
What strength does Marquis’s argument have over “personhood” arguments?
It avoids debating personhood by focusing on future value instead.
Why does Singer reject using animals purely for food?
Because their suffering must count equally and factory farming causes major suffering.