PHIL 1301 TEST2

Kant identifes the Categorical Imperative as the supreme principal that guides all moral action. He expresses this principal in three somewhat different ways, but which of the following best paraphrases the main idea:

Always act in a way that you could wish to be a law for every person to follow. One way many people think about is that the C.I. tells us to act in a way that can be "universalized," that is, in a way that would be right for all people at all times.

What does Haidt mean when he talks about being "morally dumbfounded."

Discovering that a moral belief is not supported by reasons. One of Haidt's main points is that we often hold moral beliefs for which we cannot give reasons. When we discover this we are often surprised and "dumbfounded."

What does Haidt mean when he says that reasoning acts like a press secretary for our moral beliefs?

He means that moral beliefs arise from biological and emotional sources that are largely non-rational, and when we give reasons for our beliefs we're largely making up stories that sound good.

Which of the following is the best summary of Rita Mannings conception of the essence of morality?

Morality is about openness to the needs of ourselves, others and the world. Manning does belief that a large part of our moral decision making has to come from our innate moral feelings, but this is only one part of the story

Which of the following beliefs does Rachels NOT attribute to Cultural Relativists?

Morality is created by the authorities in power to control the masses

According to the first half of the reading, Kierkegaard's ideas about religion and faith are a response to two concerns about Christianity. What are they?

That Christianity is based on a logical contradiction, and that God's existence cannot be known as an objective truth. he claims to embrace Christianity BECAUSE it's irrational, and cannot be known to be true by reason or observation.

Which of the following is the central claim of Thomson's paper?

The right to life does not entail an obligation on others to protect or maintain that life. he main point of the paper is to show that even if we grant that the fetus is a person with a right to life, it does not follow that abortion is always impermissible.

Which of the following does Kierkegaard consider the highest stage of human existence?

the religious state

jeremy bentham

(1748-1832) British theorist and philosopher who proposed utilitarianism, the principle that governments should operate on the basis of utility, or the greatest good for the greatest number. Born 1748Readings: "Utilitarinism"born in spitafields founder of modern utilitarinism, alive during immanual kant

DMR stand for?

Deep Moral Responsibility

kierkegaard is considered one of the founders of the philosophical movement known as existentialism, a philosophy that focuses on the nature of human experience/existence. Both of the readings describe Kierkegaard's portrayal of the fundamental human condition. What is it?

We are alienated from God by sin, and as a result we experience anxiety and despair. existentialism comes in many forms, but perhaps the key idea in all of them is that that when we confront the fact of our EXISTENCE in the world, we find ourselves radically alone and radically free. For K. this is the result of our separation from God, and the remedy is faith. But other existentialists will abandon belief in God,

Jeremy Bentham is the founder of Utilitarianism. According to Bentham what is the appropriate way to approach difficult moral decisions?

We should use the pleasure/pain calculus. nspired by the emerging sciences of his time, Bentham hoped that even pleasure and pain would turn out to be quantities that could be precisely measured. If so, then we could have a science of morality.

What is the point of the "people seeds" analogy in section 4?

You cannot be held responsible for an event that you have taken reasonable precautions to prevent. Her point is definitely about responsibility. She is making an analogy on which her claim is that you can't be held responsible for the life of a fetus if you've taken reasonable precautions to prevent creating that life.

kant claims only thing which is truly morally good

a good will things like intelligence and courage can be used for evil, only good will is truly morally good in itself

According to Kierkegaard, what is the only legitimate path to belief in God?

a leap of faith, core of his philosophy

which is a moral action according to kant

an action performed for the sake of duty. for kant morality is about acting from a motive of duty

johnathan haidt

believed that much of our morality is rooted in moral intuitions (our gut feelings). american social psychologist, Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University Stern School of Business, and author. His main areas of study are the psychology of morality and moral emotions.

What famous utilitarian does Peter Singer quote in this paper?

jeremy betham

Which one of the following philosophical statements would Sartre agree with?

Human free will is a burden that causes anguish.

Hitler comes up in the conversation. What is he compared to?

earthquake. The idea is that in accord with Strawson's completely naturalistic view, Hitler is no more morally responsible for his action than an earthquake is for it's action. Both are merely phenomena in the world.

friedrich nietzche

first modern moral relativists Influential 19th-century German philosopher, rejected middle-class morality, saying that it led to a false and shallow existence. Believed that the "will-to-power" would reorder the world.

Which of the following is NOT mentioned in this haidt interview?

juggling lemons1

which of the following statements about immanuel kant is NOT true?

kant lived during 16 century (1500s) correct dates: 1724-1804

Which of the following philosophers, that we have previously read, does Manning mention?

peter singer he cites a principle from Peter Singer: If it's in our power to prevent something very bad from happening without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral significance, we ought to do it. Note, however, Manning is not a utilitarian. She would disagree that morality is driven merely by a rational calculus of consequences.

Sartre says that for humans "existence precedes essence." What does this slogan mean?

In contrast to objects like paper-knives which are created for a specific reason, humans arise in the world undefined and become only what they will themselves to be. For manufactured objects like books and knives, essence precedes existence. This means that the concept and purpose of such objects is set out before they are manufactured. But for humans, the opposite is true. Humans find themselves in existence without any definition or purpose, and they must create both themselves.

Which of the following is a cultural practice that James Rachels mentions in this paper?

Infanticide by the Eskimos.

Which of the following is NOT among the criticisms of Kierkegaard presented in the first half of the reading?

It's self-contradictory for Kierkegaard to try to rationally explain why we should embrace an irrational belief. K. is asking us to accept irrationality, but he's trying to give us rational reasons to do so!

Which of the following claims does Singer make in this article?

Mainstream Christianity shows no concern for animal welfare in its first 1800 years.

According to the moral theory known as utilitarianism, what is the essence of morality?

Maximizing happiness. "Utility" means usefulness, and the ethical theory called Utilitarianism, says that morality is about doing what is most useful, which can be measured in terms of creating the greatest satisfaction or happiness.

john Stuart Mill developed and popularized Bentham's Utilitarianism. Which of the following is NOT one of the differences between Bentham and Mill?

Mill emphasizes that utilitarianism is about avoiding pain, while Bentham is more concerned with maximizing pleasure.

According to James Rachels, cultural relativists misunderstand the significance of the fact that different cultures have different moral codes. He claims that they start with this observation, and then they draw an inappropriate conclusion. Which one of the following is the inappropriate conclusion?

There are no objective moral truths.

Which of the following is NOT one of Nietzsche's criticisms of "slave morality?"

Under a system of slave morality people are not treated as equals. Some people are made subordinate to others. treating people as equals is central to slave morality.

Daniel Dennett uses a lot of analogies to explain his ideas. Which of the following analogies does NOT appear in the Origins of Selves reading?

Understanding the concept "self" is like understanding the concept "here."

John Stuart Mill became a great advocate of individual liberty. What did he claim are the only circumstances under which governments are justified in constraining the actions of their citizens?

When those actions may cause harm to other people.

both bentham & mill

were born in london england

judith jarvis thomson

wrote that every violation of a "privacy right" is also a violation of another right. Born 1929Readings:" defense of abortion"Born in NYC,NY professor of emeritus of philosophy, moral/political philosophy served as president of American philosophical association

jean paul sartre

A French existentialist who said that people just "turned up" and that there was no God to help honest people. Also said "man is condemned to be free" and people had to choose their actions. radical personal responsibility central to existientialism

What is Nietzsche's doctrine of the Superman?

A being who represents the next evolutionary stage of man.

"Thought experiments" are exaggerated scenarios the purpose of which is to help clarify our intuitions about difficult issues. One of Thomson's main thought experiments compares pregnancy to which of the following:

Allowing a violinist to use your kidneys.

Imagine that you are dying, and the only thing that will save your life is "the touch of Henry Fonda's cool hand on your fevered brow." If Fonda is hundreds of miles away, then according to Thomson, which of the following is true?

Although you have a right to life, Fonda has no obligation to fly in to save your life. even though you have a right to life, that does not give Henry Fonda an obligation to protect or save your life. Of course, as Thomson also points out, if he can do so with minimal effort it would be indecent for him to refuse, NOT because you have a right to life, but because we all have a general obligation to be "good samaritans" towards each other.

Which of the following claims would Manning disagree with?

An Ethics of Care is ultimately grounded solely in our emotional response to others. she denies that caring requires any particular emotion towards the one in need. Recognizing need, and acting accordingly is something that we can do even when we don't have any particular emotional attachment to the one who is cared for. It is true that Manning wants to deny that the Ethics of Care is purely rational, but it doesn't follow from that that it has to be purely emotional. It's complicated.

peter singer

Animal Liberation Born 1946Readings: "The Animal Liberation movement"born in australia, professor of philosophy @ princeton University"most influential living philosopher"

john stuart mill

Arguably the most famous English philosopher and politician of the 1800s. Champion of liberty over unlimited state control. Also famous for adding falsification as a key component of the scientific method. Born 1806Readings: "utilitarinism"born in london, senior of official in east india company, great advocate of individual liberty, developed & popularized benthams utilitarianism

According to Kant, we can use the Categorical Imperative to determine right action in any scenario whatsoever. For instance, the Categorical Imperative tells us that it's wrong to make a false promise to return borrowed money. Why?

Because if everyone made false promises the very idea of a promise would lose its value, and no one would trust anyone. This follows from the universalizability demanded by the Categorical Imperative. It is not possible to wish that ALL people at ALL times borrow money on a false promise, because if everyone did this then no one would trust a promise. Note this complexity: To determine your duty you can use the categorical imperative to think about universalized consequences. But the reason that you have to be honest is not the consequences themselves, but the duty that the consequences entail.

immanuel kant

Born 1724-1804Readings: "Deontology"born in konigsburg, prussia (germany)1740 he enrolled in the University of Königsberg, where he studied a wide variety of subjects, including theology, philosophy, mathematics, physics, and medicine. a lecturer at the University, eventually promoted to Professor of Logic and Metaphysics. His writings—especially his monumental Critique of Pure Reason (1781)—brought him increasing fame, and students came from afar to hear him lecture. never married/had kids

Sartre asserts that when we make choices we involve the whole of humanity. What does he mean?

By choosing an action we are creating an image of what all of humanity should be. the idea is that our choices define humanity. With every action we reinforce or expand the very concept of what it means to be human.

soren kierkegaard

Danish philosopher, founder of existentianalism, said "truth is subjectivity", religion is a personal matter, and relationships with God require suffering, wrote "Either/Or", The Sickness Unto Death" founders of existentialism philosophy which focuses on nature of human experience/existence both describe potrayal of fundamental human condition

The reading, "Origins of Selves"by Daniel Dennett, starts off with a reference to another philosopher that we have read and his conception of the self. Which of the following does Dennett mention?

Descartes and his belief that the self is an immaterial soul.

What thoroughly disgusting idea does Dennett mention in discussing the concept of the boundary between the self and the world?

Drinking saliva that you've spit into a glass. The point he's making is that we have psychological ingrained concepts of our boundary as a living being, and we're very sensitive and protective about that boundary, even when it's not very rational. Dennett will next argue that it's the goal of protecting what's inside this boundary which produces the evolutionary value of the concept of self.

Manning makes an interesting observation about teaching morality to students. Which of the following does she suggest might be most effective?

Have students work in a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter. In many respects Manning is rejecting the traditional idea that morality is an intellectual endeavor. She's really saying that it's at least part a learned skill that requires practice.

Which of the following biographical statements about Friedrich Nietzsche is NOT true?

He was born in the year 1900. NOT BORN BUT DIED

Which of the following is NOT a true statement about Jean-Paul Sartre?

He was deeply religious, serving as a Catholic bishop in Paris during the latter part of his life. Sartre's most famous novel is Nausea, and his most famous play is No Exit.

In this reading Tamler Sommers, a UH professor of philosophy, interviews Galen Strawson, a professor at the University of Reading in England. What's the main idea that they're discussing?

Humans do not have free will and thus they are not ultimately morally responsible for their actions. The main point is that "you are not free to make yourself the way you are," and thus we are not ultimately responsible for ourselves.

Which of the following is the best one sentence summary of Sartre's main point in Existentialism is a Humanism?

Humans have complete responsiblity for every aspect of their lives. Sartre is emphasizing the radical personal responsibility that is central to Existentialism.

Singer is interviewed by Stephen Colbert in one of the links. Which of the following arguments is NOT suggested in the discussion?

If humans stop eating farm animals, the world will quickly become over-populated with cows and chickens.

The second half of the conversation turns to questions about the illusion of free will. What does Strawson suggest about the possibility of living without this illusion?

Living without the illusion of free will is exceptionally difficult, but perhaps through appropriate training an enlightened mind might accomplish it. Living without the illusion of free will ought to be the main goal of studying philosophy because it reveals the truth about humanity and existence.

Which of the following is NOT an objection to Singer's paper?

Many animals, like dogs and cats, are treated very well by humans. They are better off with humans than they would be in the wild. The main point of Singer's paper is that it's wrong for humans to cause animals to suffer. Answer 3 is not an objection to that point at all, it just says that sometimes humans treat animals well. All the other answers are attempts to say why it might be permissible to cause animals to suffer. Even if you think they're not GOOD reasons, they are reasons

Which of the following is the best summary of Johnathan Haidt's position toward morality.

Morality is rooted in biology and refined by culture; it's primarily intuitional, not rational. Haidt doesn't say that morality is the press secretary, but rather that REASON is the press secretary that steps forward and offers explanations for our moral beliefs and behaviors.

Which of the following is the best account of the main argument of singers paper?

Morality requires that we minimize suffering. There is no justification for treating animal suffering differently than human suffering. Thus morality requires that we treat animal and human suffering equally. Singer does not say that animals and humans are entirely equal, only that we suffering in all species should be considered equally. But the key to selecting the right answer might be as easy as recognizing that as a Utilitarian, the central claim that Singer will make about morality is that it is about maximizing happiness (minimizing suffering).

Which one of the following is a true sentence about Nietzshe's philosophical position?

Nietzsche rejects the idea that there is a universal morality that applies equally to all persons. among 1st modern moral relativists

Nietzsche's distinction between "master morality" and "slave morality" is fundamental to his philosophy. Nietzsche would say that three of the following statements are characteristic of "slave morality," which one is characteristic of "master morality?"

One should do as one will, creating one's own values. Christian ethics, Kant's deontology, and utilitarianism are all forms of slave morality for Nietzsche.

Which of the following claims would Manning agree with?

Our obligation to care is partially determined by our role. Parents and teachers have special obligations to their children and students.

Which of the following is NOT one of the consequences that Rachels claims would follow from taking Cultural Relativism seriously?

Society would collapse because everyone would act without regard for moral truth.

james rachels

The Challenge of Cultural Relativism Born 1941 Readings: "cultural relativism"born in columbus georgia American philosopher who specialized in ethics and animal rights. asserts morality is conduct guided by impartial reason, which implies that the decision is backed by solid rationale and that the morally correct thing to do is determined by what solution is supported the most logically.

In "Defense of Abortion" Judith Jarvis Thomson takes an unusual approach to defending abortion. For the sake of argument, she grants a claim that most people on the pro-choice side of the debate usually deny. Which claim is it?

The fetus is a person from the moment of conception. Thomson grants for the sake of argument that the fetus is a person, and tries to show that abortion would still be permissible in some cases.

Which ONE of the following claims does Dennett make in the final section of the paper?

The self is determined by a sort of internal "election" in which the unconscious mind chooses a narratively defined persona to act as "Head of Mind."

Put in a couple of words, what is the best account of the "self" according to Dennett's description?

The subject of our linguistic story-telling. the paper claims that humans create the self by telling linguistic stories just much like spiders create webs.

Which of the following statements would Rachels agree with?

There are some moral rules which are necessary for any society to exist. Rachels suggests that certain rules are essential for the very existence of society. He suggests that prohibitions against killing and lying are among these fundamental rules.

Which of the following is a premise in Strawson's argument against free will?

To be free is to be ultimately responsible for what you do. To be ultimately responsible for what you do, you have to be ultimately responsible for what you are. You cannot be ultimately responsible for what you are because you do not create yourself.

Which of the following is NOT a claim that Singer makes about equality of humans?

To create true human equality we should strive for a world in which everyone experiences exactly the same quantities of pleasure and suffering.

Haidt claims that morality is based on four foundations, which are sort of like clusters of intuitive values. Which of the following is NOT one of the four foundations Haidt identifies?

trust, honesty, simplicity-Sometimes the four categories are simplified to harm, justice, authority, purity.