Philosophy Final

One problem with Kant's categorical imperative is that it gives 'false negatives' and another that it gives 'false positives'; what do these objections show?

A false negative means the categorical imperative gets it wrong and therefore it cannot be the supreme law of morality. (Give gifts but don't take them)

What is a thing's function according to Aristotle, and how do we go about discovering it (i.e., the Function Argument)?

A function is how a thing does what it does. The prime function is based on its special function/character function

What is ethical relativism, what are its two types, and how do they differ?

All moral standards are relative to cultural or individual choice. Its two types are ethical subjectivism and cultural relativism. Ethical subjectivism suggests morality is completely up to the individual. Cultural relativism suggests moral principles are based on their cultural acceptance.

What exactly are the two primary characteristics of a final end (i.e., completeness and self-sufficiency) and why does Aristotle think happiness (eudaimonia) has these characteristics?

Completeness: When you don't want something for anything else Self-sufficiency: You don't want anything else Happiness: You wouldn't trade happiness for anything else

How do perfect and imperfect duties relate to the two levels of rational consistency for Kant? Be sure to give an example of each sort of duty.

Conceptual and volitional (levels of rational consistency) (P) Conceptual: If everyone did it then nobody would win (lie) (IP) Volitional: Willing opposite things (helping people)

What are the core tenants of moral realism/objectivism according to Pojman and Shafer-Landau? What is absolutism, and must one embrace it in order to be a moral realist?

Conventionalism and subjectivism. Absolutism is the idea that there is a right answer to every moral question. No, a moral realist does not have to be an absolutist.

How does Aristotle think ends relate to goods, and why does Aristotle think if there is a final end then there must be a highest good (i.e., the argument for a highest good)?

Ends are goods. Good is everything life seeks. The Final End = the highest good

What is eternal law and natural law in Aquinas, and how are they related?

Eternal law is God's governance. Natural law is our share of the eternal law. The rational law extends to all rational beings

What does Ross say about the reality of the moral order, and to what does he compare it?

Fundamental part of the nature of the universe. He compares it to arithmetic and geometry

What does Ross' take on the moral order mean for the fact/value and is/ought dichotomies?

He doesn't think they are real. He believes there are physical facts and value facts and that values=facts

What does Pojman say in regard to the dependency thesis and what is his distinction between "weak" and "strong" versions of it?

He says that the dependency thesis is a weak argument. The strong states that moral principles depend on one's culture. The weak states that the application depends on one's culture.

What is a hypothetical imperative, what is a categorical imperative, and which part of reason (i.e. practical or theoretical) issues hypothetical and categorical imperatives according to Kant?

Hypothetical imperative: Conditional do x to get y Categorical Imperative: Unconditional do x Practical Reason

According to Aquinas, how does one know the natural law?

Inclinations

According to natural law, all those things to which human persons have a natural inclination because they are seen by the reason as being good are proper objects of pursuit. What are the four goods which Aquinas thinks we have a natural inclination because we rationally see them as good?

Life, procreation, knowledge, and society. Avoid the opposite of these.

Is Kant a consequentialist? If not, what is he? Explain.

No he is a non-consequentialist. He believes moral rightness is based on the duty

What is a prima facie duty, what is a proper duty, and what is the difference according to Ross?

Prima facie duty: Conditional duties that do not have to be prioritized Proper: Have to do it

What are the three components of law according to Aquinas?

Rule or measure of acts, ordained to the common good, and it has to be known

For Ross, how does one come to decide between conflicting prima facie duties (e.g., a duty of fidelity and a duty of justice)?

Self reflection

According to Ross, how do we come to know our duties? Is it by means of some formal reasoning process like the categorical imperative or by some other means?

Self-evident through intuition. No, we just use mental vision to see our duties.

What are the three theses of ethical relativism according to Pojman and which one does he think is actually irrelevant for its truth or falsity?

The diversity thesis, the strong dependency thesis, and the weak dependency thesis. The diversity thesis is irrelevant.

What is the only thing that can be regarded as 'good without qualification' for Kant, and why does he think this?

The goodwill. It is the only rich that cannot be used for evil.

What are the two types of Aristotelian virtue and how do they relate to the soul?

Type 1: Virtues of thought Type 2: Virtues of character Virtues of thought govern the mind and character governs the appetite/the body

What is the three-part test which Kant uses to determine whether an action is morally right or morally wrong?

Universalization test: Formulate a maxim, universalize a maxim, and look for a contradiction.