Ethics

What is the distinction between a decision procedure and a standard of rightness (S-L, FE, p. 139)

A decision procedure is a method for reliably guiding out decisions so that when we use it we can make the correct decisions. A standard of rightness tells us the conditions that make actions morally right. Consequentialism is a standard of rightness. The principle of utility fails as a decision procedure.

What is a maxim for Kantian ethics?

A maxim is the principle of action you give yourself when you are about to do something. It states what you are about to do and why you are about to do it.

What is the problem of moral luck for Kantian ethics (S-L, FE, p. 181f.)?

According to Kant control is pertinent for moral responsibility. But things happen outside of our control that affects the morality of our conduct. Therefore sometimes we lack autonomy. Kant says the moral luck cannon exist.

What is the principle of utility according to utilitarianism?

An action is morally required just because it does more to improve overall well being than any other action one could have done in the circumstances.

What should belong within the scope of the moral community according to Bentham?

Can they suffer? To be a member of the moral community is to be important in your own right. It is to be owed a certain amount of respect. Membership in the moral community imposes a duty on everyone else to take one's needs seriously, for one's own sake.

What is the argument from impoverished desires against desire satisfaction theory?

Desires are shaped solely by how we were raised. Some desires are low desires/not fulfilling desires therefore if someone sets their desires low they should be living the good life, but that does not really seem like a good life.

What are two key commitments of ethical pluralism?

Emphasizes context Is non-absolute, in some cases it is justified to break promises.

How does ethical pluralism differ from ethical monism? What are prima facie duties?

Ethical pluralism is a family of views that holds that there is a plurality of fundamental moral rules. While ethical monism argues that there is one supreme rule that serves as the basis for all morality. Prima facie duty: a duty that is obligatory if all things are equal. They can be overridden by another duty or duties if they must be.

What is the problem with impartiality for utilitarianism?

Everyone counts equally, no one's interests are more important than anyone else's. The problem that occurs with this is that we must then be impartial to our loved ones. If we can benefit the greater good, but in turn must neglect our loved one it is our moral duty to neglect them.

What are two key commitments of virtue ethics?

Follow a moral exemplar; an act is morally right because it is one that a virtuous person, acting in character would do in that situation. It is morally complex. Virtue ethics rejects that there is a simple formula for determining how to act.

What is problematic with identifying feminist ethics wholly with care thinking (see Saul's article)?

Identifying feminist ethics wholly with care thinking is problematic because it confirms traditional stereotypes of women. Men and women can think in both justice and care thiking.

What is the doctrine of doing and allowing (DDA)?

It is always morally worse to do harm than to allow that same harm to occur.

What is the problem of moral guidance for ethical pluralism (S-L, FE, p. 244)?

It is hard to know what to do with ethical pluralism when the prima facie duties conflict. There are also so many theoretical virtues, it is hard to know which are prima facie duties, because they most likely will conflict at some point. There is no decision procedure.

What is the Euthyphro problem for divine command theory?

It is the view that there are some independent moral standards. Some actions are right or wrong within themselves, independent on god's commands. Does god commanding something make something moral or is he commanding it because it is moral? If that is so what moral compass is god following?

How does care thinking differ from justice thinking?

Justice thinking is objective, universally applicable, takes in the significance of moral principles, and is impartial. Care thinking focuses on significance of emotions, contextualizing, partiality within reason is justified, and emphasizes sympathy, nurturing, and dependence.

What is a standing problem with the formula of universalizability for Kantian ethics?

Kant says that a maxim being universalizable is a guarantee of an action's rightness, but this isn't true. We can act on universalizable maxims and still do wrong. In addition to this a maxim that was formally not universalizable can be reworded to be universalizable... which doesn't seem right.

How is Kant's supreme principle of morality different from the Golden Rule?

Kant's supreme principle of morality takes into account other people's interests. The problem with the golden rule that is different from Kant's principle is that your own self-interest may not be aligned with other people's self-interest.

What is psychological egoism? If true, what implication does it have for the possibility of ethics?

Psychological egoism says that there is only one thing that motivates human beings, and that is self-interest. If psychological egoism is true then people cannot/it is not out duty to be altruistic.

What is the problem of supererogation for utilitarianism (S-L, FE, p. 140)?

Supererogation is an action that is above and beyond the call of duty. The problem with supererogation and utilitarianism is that it is our moral duty to do the very best we can do no action is above or beyond the call of duty. This shows that utilitarianism is too demanding. Supererogation as implies that the people who have the most to give MUST give what they can. It is far more demanding on a doctor than a farmer.

What is divine command theory?

The Divine command theory is a meta-ethical theory which says that an action's moral status depends on whether it is commanded by god. What is moral is determined by what god commands, and to be moral is to follow his commands.

What is the argument from autonomy against hedonism?

The argument from autonomy against hedonism is that the power to guide our life through our own free choices, even if sometimes it costs us our happiness is better than just having happiness. If hedonism is trued then autonomy contributes to a good life only if it makes us happy. Sometimes autonomy directly contributes to a good life even if it fails to make us happy. Hedonism is false. Is it better to be a lobotomized happy person or have full autonomy?

What is the good life according to hedonism?

The belief that life is good to the extent that it is filled with pleasure and free of pain.

What is the doctrine of the double effect (DDE)?

The doctrine refers to two relevant effects that action can have: those that we intend to bring about, and those that we foresee but do not aim for. Provided that your goal is worthwhile, you are sometimes permitted to act in ways that foreseeably cause certain types of harm, though you must never intend to cause such harm.

What is the formula of universalizability of Kantian ethics?

The formula of universalizability of Kantian ethics is to formulate your maxim clearly and state what you intend to do and why you intend to do it. Then imagine a world in which everyone supports and acts on your maxim. Then ask: "can the goal of my actions be achieved in such a world.

What is the formula of humanity or autonomy of Kantian ethics?

The principle of humanity states that you should always treat a human being (yourself included) as an end, and never as a mere means.

What is the distinction between whose desire a desire belongs to and what the desire is for or whom the desire benefits (see S-L, FE, p. 95)? How does this distinction undermine psychological egoism?

The psychological egoist claims that whenever you do something you are motivated by your strongest desire. But what if your strongest desire to do something for someone else? The Psychological egoist also says that whenever you are motivated by your strongest desire you are pursuing your own self-interest. If I am acting in my strongest desire it does not tell you what my desire is for. The egoist says that because the desire is mine it has to be aimed at my own self-interest but why can't it be aimed at someone else's interest?

What is the supreme principle of morality according to Kant?

The supreme principle of morality according to Kant is the categorical imperative: an unconditional moral obligation that is binding in all circumstances and is not dependent on a person's inclinations or purposes.

What is the good life according to desire satisfaction theory?

This theory says that your life goes well for you to the extent that you get what you want, whether they are moral, immoral, hurtful, beneficial, or everyone agrees with you.

What is the problem of measuring well-being for utilitarianism?

Utilirianism is true only if there is a precise unit of measurement that can determine the value of an action's results. There is no such unit of measurement. Therefore it is impossible to find an exact measurement for well being for utilitarianism, though most of the time one can guess.

How does utilitarianism allow for moral flexibility?

Utilitarianism allows for moral flexibility in that no moral rule other than the principle of utility is absolute. It is morally okay to violate any rule if doing so will raise overall well-being.

What is the problem of justice for utilitarianism?

Utilitarianism says that we must maximize well being but sometime we can only do this by committing some serious injustice like killing innocent people. A moral theory should not permit; much less require that we act unjustly.

What is the problem of moral guidance for virtue ethics (S-L, FE, p. 264)?

Virtue ethics refuses to give an exact answer for how you should act, but rather gives you a guideline for which virtues to act in line with. It is up to you to choose the virtues and then your virtuous action.

What are two key commitments of feminist ethics?

Women are morally equal to men. The experiences of women deserve our respect and are vital to full and accurate understanding of morality. Traits that have traditionally been associated with women are at least as morally important as traditionally masculine traits.