Ethics & Values Multiple Choice Questions

Royce

What is a person? A flexible thing that can extend to include chosen communities. What is virtue for humans? Participation in beloved communities through an extended sense of self The goal of ethics? Commitment to the projects of others to include others Obligations to others? Yes to join communities and work for their goals. How to know? Voluntary extensions of one's identity

Kant

What is a person? A logical, rule ordered possessor and grantor of human rights What is virtue for humans? Acting only on good will in obedience to categorical imperatives The goal of ethics? 1. universal maxims 2. duty 3. kingdom of ends Obligations to others? Treat all as ends in themselves, not as means to anothers' ends How to know? Pure, a priori logic

Aquinas

What is a person? A reflection of divine and natural law in moral law What is virtue for humans? To follow a well - trained conscience, based on Divine & natural law The goal of ethics? To get to heaven by following conscience Obligation to others? Yes, human law exists for the common good of all humans How to know? Nature is embedded in conscience, but it must be trained.

Sisters of St. Joseph

What is a person? A gift full of talents and love to give to the dear neighbor. What is virtue for humans? Practicing compassion with competence and patience, go for the magis The goal of ethics? Love for the dear neighbor without distinction Rules are violence Obligation to others? Yes, to the point of being self-emptying, as well as presence & patience & serving How to know? By making oneself competent but humble

Mill

What is a person? A seeker of high quality pleasures, & pain avoider What is virtue for humans? Seeking the greatest possible happiness for the greatest possible number The goal of ethics? Utility. Attention to consequences of actions know what causes harm or benefit. Obligations to others? Yes. Social institutions become prominent. How to know? Utilitarian calculus: cost/risk/benefit analysis

Butler

What is a person? An economy of specific passions, self-love and benevolence and conscience What is virtue for humans? A balance between SL and Bene, in which both control SP and obey Conscience The goal of ethics? A balance among the principles in the soul. Obligations to others? Yes. Love of neighbor is as important as self-love How to know? Discernment: prayer, honestly with self & attention other needs

Aristotle

What is a person? Structure of rational and irrational principles. What is virtue for humans? Control of the rational/moral part over the irrational desirious part The goal of ethics? Happiness: an activity of soul in accordance with perfect virtue Obligations to others? Not much: long term equilibrium and self-control How to know? Proper function seeks a mean between extremes