Moral and Social Philosophy Final

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?

1. Diversity thesis 2. Dependency thesis 3. Ethical relativism itself. The diversity thesis, bc it could be true in either relativism or objectivism.

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?

1. Preserving life 2. Procreation 3. Knowledge 4. Sociability, living in a society

What are the three components of law according to Aquinas?

1. Rule/measure of acts 2. Directed towards the common good. 3. People know of the law/promulgation

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 what a thing does. We discover a things function by finding its special characteristic that is unique to the that thing.

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)?

Aristotle thinks that ends are the same thing as goods. Human activities are arranged in a hierarchy, and this cant go on and on forever, so there must be a final end. Therefore, there must be a highest good.

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- happiness is wanted for itself. Self sufficient- once we have happiness we dont want 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.

Conceptional- goes with perfect duties, makes the goal impossible, lying/suicide. Volitional- goes with imperfect duties, goal still possible, willing opposite things, wasting talents/not helping people.

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

Dependency thesis- all moral principles derive their validity from cultural acceptance. Strong- moral principles depend on, are rooted in, and determined by ones culture. Weak- the application of moral principles depends on, is rooted in, and determined by ones culture.

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

Eternal law- the way things are arranged in Gods mind. Natural law- a part of eternal law that is known to us that concerns how human beings ought to conduct themselves. They are related because natural law is the part of eternal law that is known to rational creatures. Rational creatures get their own share of the eternal law.

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

Ethical relativism- an action is right or wring based off of the moral norms of the person, culture. 1. Ethical subjectivism- relative to the individual. 2. Cultural relativism- relative to the culture/society.

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

Goodwill, it is the only intrinsic good. All others gifts of fortune can be used maliciously if your will is bad.

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 is conditionally valid. Do x when in situation y. Categorical imperative is unconditional valid. Do x no matter what. Practical reason issued these to us.

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

Moral order is a fundamental part of the universe. Ross compares it to arithmetic and geometry.

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?

Moral standards exist independently of our opinion of them, they apply to everyone, and moral claims are objectively true when they accurately tell his what objective moral standards are true. Absolutism- there is exactly one right answer to every moral question, you can never break moral standards. You dont have to embrace absolutism, you can embrace weak objectivism.

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

No, he is a non consequentialist. Right and wrong are completely independent and unrelated to consequences.

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

Pima facie duty- all the duties we appear to have, may be more than one. Proper duty- the duty that actually applies in a certain situation. The difference is that the proper duty is the prima facie duty you actually have to do.

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

Ross does not think there is a dichotomy. He believes values are actually facts so there is not a dichotomy.

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

Ross thinks if you reflect the answer will be known to you. Intuition will tell you which duty is the proper duty.

What does Pojman think it would take to show that objectivism is true and relativism is false?

There must be at least one objective moral principle which is binding on all people everywhere.

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?

These show the categorical imperative cant be the answer for rightness/wrongness because it can give us false negatives/positives.

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?

They are self evident through intuition. If we think we can rationally see our duties through mental perception.

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

Universalisation test. 1. Formulate maxim. 2. Universalize the maxim. 3. Look for contradictions.

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

Virtues of thought and Virtues of character. Virtues of thought belong to the rational part of the soul and virtues of character belong to the appetitive part of the soul.

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

We know the natural law through our inclinations, and we are naturally drawn towards it. It is our share, known to us, of the eternal law.