Ethics

What is the difference between Absolutist Objectivism and Situation-Based Objectivism? How is Situation-Based Objectivism different from Ethical Relativism.

Absolutist objectivism are universally valid ethical standards, and are not sensitive to context. Situation Based objectivism is a universally valid moral but yield different prescriptions and verdicts when applied to different situations. Ethical relativism different from situation based objectivism because it depends on the cultural acceptance it may not be true to all people.

According to Russell, what two impulses govern current sexual morality? How do they influence people's behavior, and where does Russell think they come from?

According to Russle the two impulses that govern current sexual morality is modesty and jealousy. Modesty creates a taboo which must only be broken in accordance with certain forms and ceremonies. it was from primitive savages and has its roots in human nature. Jealousy is the most potent factor in sexual morality, it comes from the desire of men to be certain of paternity.

Explain Aristotle's distinction between an instrumental good and an intrinsic good. Give examples. Explain how this relates to Aristotle's conception of happiness.

Aristotle's distinction to an intrinsic and instrumental good is that an instrumental good has a means to an end, and an intrinsic good is for the end in itself. An example of an instrumental good is using a pen to write. and an intrinsic good is happiness. being healthy because being healthy makes you happy. which binds to Aristotles conception of happiness which is that everything we do is to have the end goal of happiness.

What does it mean to say that Aristotle's ethics is "teleological?" What does it mean to call it a "Natural Law Theory?" How do these two concepts come together in Aristotle's theory?

Aristotles ethics is Teleological meaning that everything in life surges a purpose to each other. the Natural Law Theory relates to this because this theory states that ethics and morality has a basis in nature and in nature there is a purpose for it.

Absolutism Objectivism

Certain types of actions are universally always wrong or always right regardless the situation.

Relativism

Deflationary. All moral standards are only valid w/ in a group/ culture. There are at least some universally valid moral standards.

Mary Midgley

Disagrees with moral isolationism. if we can't judge others can we judge ourselves? cross cultural comparison is a necessity. one must judge a culture to respect. judgement is a part of existance thus moral isolationism cannot be correct. cultures are not isolated and intermix now more than ever.

Explain the difference between Ethical Objectivism, Ethical Relativism, and Ethical Skepticism.

Ethical objectivism states that there are universal truths and moral standards that apply to everyone. Ethical Relativism had no universal truths and morality is only relative to each culture. Ethical Skepticism states that there are is no such thing as morality whatsoever, whether a universal truth.

Immanuel Kant

Good Will. is good deed without qualification. Good no matter what. Moral worth depends on ones motive. Benefesit: you can do something to benefit someone else inclination (enjoyment) a robot taking fire out= no moral worth

Aristotle

Happiness is the highest. Happiness depends on ourselves. Happiness depends on the cultivation of virtue.

Only Revelation Theory (ORT)

How do we know right from wrong. the only way we know right from wrong is by revelation. Scripture/personal revelation

Explain Kant's distinction between Hypothetical Imperatives and Categorical Imperatives Give examples.

Hypothetical imperatives stated you must do X to get Y. Categorical imperative is not done for the sake of anyone else but for its own sake. an example of a Hypothetical imperative is you must study to get good grades, and an example of a categorical imperative is you don't abandon people in need because you wouldn't want that done to you.

Why does Kant say that the consequences of an action are not relevant to moral evaluations? Summarize an example -we discussed at least one- that illustrates Kant's point.

Kant believes that the consequences of an action are not relevant to moral evaluations because Kant believes that good will is good no matter what the consequences. an example of this would be if someone saved a person who was drowning and that person ended up being Hitler, Kant would believe that it would not make the person bad.

What does Kant mean by "good will?" Why is this concept important for his ethical theory? Explain his distinction between acting from duty vs. acting in mere accordance with duty. Give examples.

Kants definition of "good will' is a good deed done with no qualification regardless of the consequences. He says Good Will is the only good thing, and to have good will you must have good intentions which is motivated by duty. acting in mere accordance with duty is acting on a duty by the list, and acting from duty has more required, you must do it because its duty. a robot taking out fire because he's programed to do it, Kant believes has no good will. someone helping get a cat down from a tree is acting from duty to help, he believes that person has good will.

Summarize and explain Kant's first formulation of the categorical imperative. How does this formulation of the categorical imperative distinguish between perfect duties and imperfect duties? Provide an example of a perfect duty and an example of an imperfect duty and explain how they are derived from the rule. How do these obligations differ?

Kants first formulation of the categorical imperative is only act on a maxim that you can at the same time will to become a universal law.

How does Mill attempt to show that mental pleasures are superior in quality to sensual pleasures? Explain his examples and explain how they are supposed to demonstrate this.

Mill attempts to show that mental pleasures are superior in quality to sensual pleasures by the "competent judge" argument, stating that competent people will always chose mental pleasures over sensual pleasures which incompetent people would rather chose. Mill states the transformation argument by saying that no one would chose to be a pig with all the pleasures a pig would have even if he was a human dissatisfied, because he simply has higher capacities and faculties.

Utilitarianism

Mill/Bentham. The principle of Utility (the greatest happiness principle) The best thing to do is to minimize pain and maximize pleasure.

Objectivism

Non-Deflationary. there are at least some moral truths, universally valid standards applies to everyone. For example, an objectivist might think that the statement "Torturing babies for fun is wrong," is objectively true. If torturing babies for fun is wrong, it is wrong for everyone on Earth, regardless of their upbringing, culture, or sentiments.

What is the difference between Normative and Descriptive Statements?

Normative statements states how the world ought to be. For example "no one should listen to Justin Bieber" and Descriptive statements not he other hand are descriptions of how the world is. For example "the moon is made of green cheese."

A common anti-homosexual argument claims that engaging in homosexual relationships causes harm to oneself. Summarize this argument and then explain Corvino's response.

One example of harm that one might use for this argument against homosexuality is that it can cause STD's or depression and even suicide. Corvino's response was that social stigma is one of the leading causes of the depression and suicides. His argument for STD's was that just because the rates of AIDs and STDs are high amongst men it doesn't mean that to avoid "harm" of those health risks.

DCT Arguments

Plato's Euthyphro Dilemma- is murder wrong because God forbids it or does God forbid it because its wrong? - it cannot be both. the second premise is a moral logical choice. - it could change potentially.

Divine Command Theory (DCT)

Right and wrong are defined as being against or complaint with God's wishes.

Summarize and explain Russell's arguments about premarital sex.

Russell believes that people should practice premarital sex. He also believes that premarital sex will help in choosing the right partner and will help in gaining a successful marriage. He also says it benefits economic causes compelling of men as a rule to postpone marriages.

What rule does Russell propose concerning economics and sexual relationships? In what way does traditional marriage (especially when Russell was writing) violate this rule? Why does Russell oppose this?

Russle believes that sex and money should not mix. he believes that a woman should not depend on a man, and they should both work equally. if a woman depended on a man then she would be considered a prostitute. He also does not agree that a woman should not live on alimony.

What is Russell's advice on discussing sexual topics with children? What does he think might happen if his advice is not followed?

Russles thoughts on discussing sexual topics with children is that everything should be discussed with the children openly. He believes you should not lie about anything and not give false information about sex with children. if not, he believes that the children will grow up being obsessed with sex.

Summarize and explain the "Atheistic Argument Against Objectivism," as discussed in class.

The atheistic Argument against objectivism is In order for morality to be objective there has to be a God. and the second premise is there is no God. so in conclusion there are no universally valid moral standards.

Skepticism

There are no universally valid standards

Summarize what we called the "Toleration Argument" for Moral Relativism. Explain the premises. Explain the objections to the argument that were discussed in class.

Toleration argument for moral relativism has two premises. the first premise states that relativism is more tolerant and the second premise states that tolerance is good. so in conclusion, we should be realists and not objectivists. the objectivists objections to this is logical incoherence for the first premise and the second premise is false relativism and does not endorse any universally values. Tolerance cannot be supreme it has limits.

Explain the difference between Virtue Ethics and Rule-Theoretic Ethics. Give examples.

Virtue ethics is defined by character traits to define good and bad. Rule Theoretic ethics on the other hand are rules that define right from wrong behaviors. An example of Virtue ethics is a brave person which is good. and an example of a rule theoretic ethic is helping others.

Virtue according to Aristotle

Virtue is achieved by maintaining the mean/middle. Example: Fool-Hardy(little fear)-----Bravery(Virtue)----Cowardance (too much fear)

Antiphon

What is the difference between actions that are right and those that are wrong? why should one do right actions and avoid wrong ones? people are innately selfish but eventually learned that even though they desire to be selfish they don't like it when others are selfish towards them. so they decide to form a society to protect themselves. hiring police officers to punish or kill these of selfishness for the actions they agree to call "wrong"

Summarize and explain the "Argument from Disagreement" against Ethical Objectivism. Explain at least one objection to the argument that was discussed in class

argument from disagreement has two premises. the first premise is the validity of a moral standard is consisted in being accepted by a culture. the second premise is no moral standards are universally accepted. the conclusion is normal standards are universally valid. . for example a different practice does not equal the different value and correctness to ones belief does not always equal acceptance.This goes against Ethical objectivism because Ethical objectivism states that there are universally valid truths and morals that apply to everyone. one objection to this was the degree of difference.

Descriptive Statements

concerns the way the world is. attempts to describe. Example: the moon is made of green cheese.

Normative Statements

concerns the way the world ought to be. attempts to prescribe. Example: no one should listen to Justin Bieber.

Explain Divine Command Theory and the "Revelation Only" theory of moral knowledge. How are they different? Why are they considered "Deflationary Theories?"

divine command theory is what is right from wrong being against or for Gods wishes. and Only revelation theory is how we know right from wrong through personal revelation and scriptures. They are deflationary theories because they are necessary to life and towards our understandings and to some of our morals.

ORT Arguments

it seems more difficult to judge a revelation than morality. it leaves no potential for discussion

Ethical objectivism

non deflationary. there are universally truths and these morals apply to everyone.

How does Singer interpret the statement "All men are created equal?" In what sense does he think animals should be awarded equality and in what sense, not?

singer believes that all men should be treated equally not based on race and skills but abilities to feel pain. animals should have an equal consideration of interests because they have the ability to suffer and feel pain but of course shouldn't have equal rights like the right to vote.

Summarize and explain the argument that Moral Relativism has unacceptable or absurd consequences. Give at least two examples.

the Argument that Moral Relativism has unacceptable or absurd consequences such as extreme moral equivalences. for example the morality of the Nazis are just as good as Gahndi and you and me. Morality is arbitrary if relativism is correct then there is no point in evaluating our beliefs if they are automatically right. If Neo-Nazis exterminating 6 million Jews and other minorities is right and I am right, then that is good and not good witch is contradictory to one another.

Summarize and explain the so called "Euthyphro Dilemma" argument against Divine Command Theory. Relate the argument to the question whether God's commands are arbitrary.

the Euthyphro Dilemma's argument again DCT questions whether Gods commands are arbitrary. one argument questions is murder wrong because God forbids it or does God forbid murder because it's wrong? The second question is a moral logical choice, and could potentially change.

Ethical Relativism

the idea that morality is relative to each culture and there are no universal truths.

A common anti-homosexual argument claims that homosexuality is unnatural, and therefore, immoral. Give two possible meanings of the term "unnatural," and explain how Corvino responds to each corresponding version of the argument.

two possible meanings of the term "unnatural" would be that it is not common/abnormal, and disgusting. Corvino's argument to homosexuality being abnormal is that being abnormal doesn't mean wrong. and his second argument for it to be disgusting is that we can think many things are digesting such as holding a snake or cleaning a toilet.

State some typical formulations of Utilitarianism. What does it mean to call Utilitarianism consequentialist, and what does it mean to call it hedonist?

utilitarianism has the greatest happiness principle, and the best thing to do is to maximize pleasure and minimize pain. to be a utilitarian consequentialist you base actions on what action makes it morally good or bad by its consequences. A hedonist are based on the acts that increase pleasure and or decrease pain in the world are good and those that do the opposite are bad.