Chapter 4 Inquisitive

What is the difference between a moral code that contains rules like "Do not steal" and a moral theory?

A moral code does not explain what makes an action right, but a moral theory can.

Label each statement according to whether it is a moral theory or a moral principle

A virtuous person does the right thing for the right reason - theory Do not lie, even when the truth will cause suffering - principle A good life is one with the most pleasure and the least pain - theory We should help people in distress when it doesn't seriously inconvenience us. - principle

What is demonstrated by comparing "applying the criteria of adequacy" and "a doctor diagnosing an illness"?

Although there is no set formula for how to apply the criteria of adequacy, that doesn't mean applying those criteria is arbitrary or subjective.

Why is a moral theory more useful than a moral code?

Correct A moral theory helps guide our action when the rules of a moral code conflict. A moral theory can help us interpret the rules of a moral code. Incorrect A moral theory is specific, but a moral code is general. A moral code could contain errors, but a moral theory could not.

Suppose a moral theory said that we do not really make moral judgments at all, but instead merely express whether we like or dislike an action or person. What step in evaluating theories would this theory meet or fail to meet?

Criteria the Theory Meets coherence Criteria the Theory Fails to Meet consistency with our considered moral judgments consistency with our moral experiences

Both ethical egoism and utilitarianism are consequentialist theories that encourage creating good consequences. What's the difference between them?

Ethical egoism is concerned with creating good consequences for oneself. Utilitarianism is concerned with creating good consequences for all affected by the action.

Sort the categories by the theories that correspond to them

Kant's theory utilitarianism = theories with a single fundamental principle Ross's theory natural law theory = theories with multiple fundamental principles

A moral theory must first meet a minimum standard in order to even be eligible for evaluation as a moral theory. What is that minimum standard that every moral theory must have in the first instance?

Minimum standard It must be coherent. Not a minimum standard It must be useful in moral problem solving. It must be consistent with considered moral judgments. 3rd one

José is wondering whether to lie about a friend's appearance in order to make his friend feel better. To make his decision, José doesn't calculate the direct consequences of telling this particular lie to his friend. Instead, all he considers is whether telling the truth generally leads to good consequences or not. What moral theory is José following?

Rule-Utilitarianism

Why is the divine command theory considered a nonconsequentialist theory?

The divine command theory says that an action is right if and only if God commands it—regardless of whether or not God commands us to maximize the good.

Click on the part of the paragraph that is a moral theory.

The right action is the one which produces the greatest amount of knowledge

Match each ethical theory with its definition.

The right action is the one with the best consequences for oneself. - ethical egoism The right action is the one with the best consequences for everyone considered. - utilitarianism The right action is the one that follows the dictates of nature. - natural law theory The right action is the one that God commands. - divine command theory The right action is the one done in accordance with the categorical imperative - Kant's theory

One criterion for evaluating scientific theories is fruitfulness: how well a theory allows scientists to understand and predict scientific phenomena that has not yet been understood or predicted. This is similar to the moral criterion of adequacy called

Usefulness in moral problem-solving.

Intentionally harming someone for fun would violate the prima facie duty of

beneficence

You have promised to meet a friend for lunch, but along the way you see a stranger having a seizure. If you stay and help the person, you will not be able to meet your friend for lunch. This is a conflict between what two prima facie principles?

beneficence and respect

Which of the following claims are included in natural law theory (a nonconsequentialist view)?

claims included What is natural is what humans were designed to do. The natural world contains the proper place and purpose of every being. claims not included In order to live a moral life, one must reflect on God's commands, and not just the natural world around them. Humans should do whatever contributes to the evolution of their species.

One criterion for evaluating scientific theories is conservatism: how well a theory fits with what scientists already know. This is similar to the moral criterion of adequacy called

consistency with considered moral judgments

A moral theory with multiple absolute principles inevitably runs into what problem?

contradictions

Why are considered moral judgments thought to be a reliable source of information in creating a moral theory?

correct Considered moral judgments are a product of thinking which is as free of bias as possible. Considered moral judgments are formed after careful deliberation. incorrect Considered moral judgments are necessarily correct. Considered moral judgments do not change over time; they represent consensus about morality.

Suppose a moral theory recommends the following: Do good and avoid evil. What criterion or criteria would this theory fail to meet?

fails to meet usefulness in moral problem solving meets consistency with our considered moral judgments consistency with our moral experiences

The one thing all nonconsequentialist theories have in common is that they say the rightness of an action has nothing to do with its consequences.

false

One violates the prima facie duty of by discriminating against people based on their race.

justice

Richaun generally treats others well. He respects their rights and sometimes does nice things for them. Based on this information, Richaun an ethical egoist.

may or may not be

An ethical theory that says we should always respect the decisions of others regardless of the consequences is a theory.

nonconsequentialist

Select the criterion of moral adequacy which is the most important.

none. they are all equally important

A good scientific theory will help scientists interpret data, and in turn good data will help scientists accept or reject a scientific theory. The scientific method thus leads to a close fit between data and theory. In moral philosophy a similar process takes place. What is it called?

reflective equilibrium

Lying to someone for personal gain would violate the prima facie duty of

respect

Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory because utilitarianism says that

we should do the action which creates more good consequences than any alternative action.

When philosophers reflect on morality, they try to achieve reflective equilibrium. How would they know they have achieved it?

when there is as much agreement and coherence as possible between considered moral judgments and moral theory

Consider the following moral theory: As long as the law is clearly stated, we should obey it unconditionally. When applying the moral criteria of adequacy to this theory, we can say that this theory useful in moral problem solving.

would be

By definition, a moral theory assumes that morality is objective.

false

Of the following, which best describes what a moral theory is?

is an explanation of what makes an action right or what makes a person or thing good is not a statement about what is legal and illegal in a given society a catalogue of a culture's moral beliefs regarding right and wrong

A moral theory is supposed to explain certain things about morality. Which of the following items can be explained by moral theory across individuals, and which are not part of the job of moral theory to explain?

supposed to what particular actions we should perform what makes an action right our considered moral judgments not supposed to our immediate, gut reactions about right and wrong changes in moral belief over time

Kant's theory of ethics (a nonconsequentialist view) says that one may not break a promise just because one wants to, even if people in general would still keep their promises.

true