Moral Criteria
An action is morally right if and only if it maximizes hedonic utility.
What is Act Utilitarianism (AU)?
This old-fashioned term picks out the pleasure-minus-pain produced by an action for all concerned.
What is hedonic utility?
"If you want to get a good grade, then you should study" is a command with this form.
What is a hypothetical imperative?
These "first make" duties are distinguished from our real duties since we only have to follow them all else being equal.
What are prima facie duties?
An action is morally right if and only if in performing it, the agent treats himself and all others as ends-in-themselves.
What is the second formulation of the Categorical Imperative (CI2, The Formula of Humanity)?
This theory of well-being asserts that pleasures are basically good for us and pains are basically bad for us. Nothing else is basically good or bad for us.
What is hedonism?
These "reasonable" traits mean that you can think in general terms and resist your desires.
What are theoretical and practical rationality?
This prima facie duty deals with our nature as free "self-legislators."
What is autonomy?
An action is morally right if and only if it best fulfills the most important prima facie duties in the circumstances (violating less important ones to the smallest degree possible).
What is Pluralism?
In this case, Billy Bob has to choose between framing an innocent person and allowing a deadly riot.
What is the Case of the Small Southern Town?
In this case, John initiates force against Casey to protect public health.
What is the Case of Ebola Quarantine?
Gratitude, reparation, fidelity/special relationships, and fairness are all part of this prima facie duty.
What is justice/desert?
An action is morally right if and only if it is universalizable: the agent can consistently will that everyone act on the maxim he would be acting on if he were to perform the act.
What is the first formulation of the Categorical Imperative (CI1, The Formula of Universal Law)?
This enterprising fellow falsely believes that his family and friends love him. The hedonist thinks his life would be no better if these beliefs were true.
Who is the Deceived Businessman?
These troubling situations arise when no action the agent could perform is morally right. CI2 seems to lead to many of them.
What are moral dilemmas?
This fundamental value is what grounds the prima facie duty of beneficence.
What is well-being?