SA questions for Ethics

Identify & explain two concrete examples (one each for (a) and (b)) illustrating Singer's argument that, if I wish to be ethically good, utilitarian reasoning requires me to take some responsibility for (a) far-away impacts of my actions

A) Example: Buying Fair Trade Coffee requires considering the far-away impacts of your actions. Fair trade coffee ensures that coffee farmers are receiving fair compensation for their labor. By choosing to purchase this your are contibuting to the improving the livelihood of coffee farmers often far away. Explanation: Ultilitarian reasoning, reuires taking responsibility for the far away impacts of your actions because it weeks to maximize overall well being.

(b) long-term impacts of my actions. example

Example: Environmental Conservation, such as reducing carbon footprint is an illustration of considering the long term impacts of your actions. Ultilitarian reasoning in this context requires taking responsibility for the long term impacts of your actions because it considers the well being of future generations to come. Alighns with utilitarian principle of maximizing overall well being

Singer argues that being a consistent utilitarian means that, when/where I can, I ought to pay attention to large-scale dolor-causing practices, and I ought to take active steps to minimize dolors. How far, exactly, does Singer suggest one must go with this-? Identify & explain the EXACT limit he suggests.

Peter Singer's utilitarian philosophy suggests that individuals should take steps to minimize suffering and promote well-being, provided that doing so doesn't require them to sacrifice something of comparable moral significance. In practical terms, this means that you should act to prevent significant harm when the cost or inconvenience of doing so is relatively small in comparison. Singer doesn't specify an exact limit but encourages people to use their moral judgment to evaluate the importance of their actions in reducing suffering and maximizing well-being while considering the specific circumstances and consequences.

(a) Identify a medical practice that used to be illegal in the U.S., but over time became a legal, systematized option in 5+ states—largely due to arguments mirroring Singer's "consistent utilitarian" moral reasoning. (b) Explain what specific utilitarian moral reasoning steps/grounds are often used to argue for/justify the moral goodness of this being an option in states.

a) medical assisted suicide. a practice where a terminally ill patient, with a prognosis of a limited time left to live, is provided with medical assistance to end their life if they choose to do so. B) 1.Maximizing Overall Well-being, MAS can minimize their pain and distress, contributing to overall well-being. 2. Autonomy and Personal Choice: Allowing medical assisted suicide respects the individual's autonomous choice, which is seen as an ethical imperative. 3. Reducing Burden on Healthcare System, it can reduce the financial and emotional burden on the healthcare system and the patient's family.

Identify & explain Kant's reasoning behind a) his claim that acting ethically has NOTHING to do with empirical outcomes/ consequences; (b) his claim that being moral *IS*, IN FACT, entirely a matter of metaphysical/abstract CATEGORICAL rules everyone has the power to reason out; and (c) his claim that taming/disciplining/mastering one's own will is central to being moral.

A) Kant's ethical philosophy is grounded in the notion of duty and the categorical imperative. He claims that acting ethically has nothing to do with empirical outcomes or consequences because he believes that ethical principles should be based on pure reason and the concept of duty. Kant argues that moral actions are those done out of a sense of duty, where individuals act in accordance with moral principles regardless of the potential outcomes. He contends that relying on empirical consequences can lead to moral relativism and justify unethical actions if good consequences can be achieved. Kant's deontological ethics, therefore, emphasizes the importance of the intention and the moral law itself, rather than the results.