Chapter 1
What is the difference between ethics (AKA moral philosophy) and morality?
Morality is beliefs concerning right and wrong, good and bad, including beliefs, principles, rules, and judgments. Ethics or moral philosophy is the philosophical study of morality.
What is objectivism? Give an example of an objectivist view.
the theory that moral truths exist and that they do so independently of what individuals or societies think of them. In other words, there are moral facts, and they are not human inventions, fictions, or preferences. Examples vary.
Explain how the following key terms are related:
statement, premises, conclusion, argument
BONUS +100 points: explain how indicator words fit in, and give some examples
Arguments are sets of statements, some of which are premises and offer support for another statement, the conclusion. Indicator words help us identify premises and conclusions. Examples vary
What is a moral theory? What are the two major kinds of moral theories introduced in Ch 4?
A moral theory is an explanation of what makes an action or person right or wrong, or good or bad. Consequentialist and non-consequentialist theories were introduced.
What is the difference between psychological egoism, ethical egoism, and utilitarianism?
psychological egoism isn't an ethical theory; it is a descriptive account
ethical egoism says moral rightness is determined by what maximizes consequences for the individual acting
utilitarianism says moral rightness is determined by what maximizes consequences for everyone
What is normative ethics? Give an example.
It is the study of moral values, principles, and rules which guide our actions and judgments. Examples vary.
What is subjective relativism? Give an example.
Subjective relativism is the view that an action is morally right if one approves of it. A person’s approval makes the action right. Examples vary.
What is the difference between inductive and deductive arguments? How do we evaluate each?
Deductive arguments are intended to provide conclusive support for the conclusion (if the premises provide that support, the argument is VALID, and only if the premises are also true, the argument is SOUND).
Inductive arguments are intended to provide probable support for the conclusion (if the premises make the conclusion probable, the argument is STRONG, and only if the premises are also true, the argument is COGENT).
Explain the difference between a self-evident statement, a prima facie principle, and a considered moral judgment.
BONUS +200: What is principlism?
A self-evident statement is a fact or situation that is so obvious that it doesn't require proof or explanation
a prima facie principle is one that holds UNLESS there is justification for making an exception
A considered moral judgment is a belief based on deliberation and evidence that determines whether an action is right or wrong
Principlism (synonym: principle-based ethics) is an approach to applied ethics based on a framework of prima-facie (i.e., nonabsolute) moral principles, weighing and balancing competing values against each other
What is the difference between act vs. rule variations of egoism and utilitarianism?
act variations say that we must perform the action that maximize consequences relative to other actions
rule variations say that we must act in accordance with rules that in general result in consequences being maximized
What is applied ethics? Give an example.
Applied ethics is the application of moral principles to specific cases. Examples vary.
What is cultural relativism? Give an example to illustrate
Cultural relativism is the view that an action is morally right if one’s culture approves of it. Examples vary.
What are fallacies? Name 5 fallacies from Ch 3.
These are mistakes in reasoning. Examples include equivocation, circular/begging the question, ad hominem, appeal to authority, slippery slope, and straw man. Other answers are possible!
What is a consequentialist theory, and what are the major variations considered in Ch 4? What is a non-consequentialist theory, and what are the major variations considered in Ch 4?
consequentialist theories say moral rightness is determined entirely by the consequences
ethical egoism, utilitarianism
nonconsequentialist theories say moral rightness is not at all determined by the consequences
kantian, natural law, divine command theory
What is the principle of utility?
the principle that actions are to be judged by their usefulness in this sense: their tendency to produce benefit, advantage, pleasure, good, or happiness
What is metaethics? Give an example.
It is the study of the meaning and logical structure of moral beliefs. Examples vary.
What is emotivism? Give an example to illustrate.
Emotivism is the view that moral utterances are neither true nor false but are expressions of emotions or attitudes. It leads to the conclusion that people can disagree in attitude, not in beliefs. People cannot disagree about moral facts, because there are no moral facts. Examples vary.
What are cognitive biases? Name the cognitive biases covered in Ch 3.
availability error, confirmation bias, motivated reasoning, the Dunning-Kruger effect all are examples of cognitive biases that lead us to bad decisions, unfounded conclusions, and regrettable errors.
Explain the difference between negative and positive rights.
BONUS +400: Explain the difference between retributive and distributive justice.
Where negative rights are "negative" in the sense that they claim for each person a zone of non-interference from others, positive rights are "positive" in the sense that they claim for each person the positive assistance of others in fulfilling basic constituents of human well-being like health and education
retributive justice: punishment for wrongdoing
distributive: about fair distribution of costs and benefits of society
What is the greatest happiness principle?
an action is right insofar as it maximizes general utility
What is the difference between something that is extrinsically valuable and something which is intrinsically valuable? Give an example of each.
The former is valuable for the sake of something else, and the latter is valuable for its own sake. Examples vary.
Which view of objectivism, subjective or cultural relativism, and emotivism do you hold? Why?
Answers vary.
What's the difference between a moral and nonmoral statement? How would we evaluate them in as premises in an argument?
Moral statements assert something is right/wrong or good/bad, and nonmoral statements don't. We evaluate moral premises with counterexamples. We evaluate nonmoral premises by asking whether they are true, relying on credible sources and being wary when evidence conflicts.
What is the categorical imperative?
A rule of conduct that is absolute and unconditional for all people, regardless of their desires or circumstances
What is the social contract theory? What is the difference between Hobbes' and Rawls' versions?
Hobbes: state of nature is a state of war, and almost everyone is better off entering society and following the rules (enforced by a leviathan)
Rawls: we should adopt rules proposed from behind a veil of ignorance, to maximize the minimum position in society