79 Questions
Why is attempting to find a theory of justice behind Rawls’ veil of ignorance considered impractical?
Individuals cannot exist in such an abstracted state.
What is a key reason why generic individuals cannot exist according to the text?
Individuals are bound by their past, habits, and culture.
What aspect of human beliefs and practices does the political enterprise need to consider according to the text?
The interpretive dimensions of human beliefs.
What does the text suggest about moral ties that individuals feel but have not chosen?
They are neglected in liberal theories of obligations.
How does the text describe the 'veil of ignorance' concept in relation to decision-making?
As an abstract state without personal biases.
In what way does the text suggest individuals can make ethical choices according to their unique journey?
By accepting pieces and values from different communities they belong to.
What challenge arises when trying to strike a balance between abstract universality and relativistic ideas according to the text?
Ignoring individual experiences and circumstances.
What role does storytelling play in influencing moral and political judgment according to the text?
It shapes the interpretive framework within which agents view their world.
According to Aristotle, what is the best arena for virtuous persons to exercise and hone their virtue?
Political deliberation
What is the relationship between individuals and communities according to Aristotle?
Individuals and communities live and thrive in symbiosis
According to the communitarian critique of Rawls, what does Rawls' theory of justice fail to account for?
The complex set of social relations individuals are part of
What is the basis for the communitarian critique of Rawls and Kant?
The close relation between individual and communities
According to communitarians, can individual rights or interests be formulated in abstraction from social contexts?
No, there is no coherent way to formulate them without social contexts
What is the relationship between virtuous persons and the polis (city-state) according to Aristotle?
The polis needs the contribution of virtuous persons for its own thriving
What is the communitarian view on the construction of individual identity?
Individual identity is partly constructed by culture and social relations
What is the ultimate end that both individuals and communities fulfill according to Aristotle?
Fulfilling their end in relationship with each other
What is the main purpose of the narrative account of moral agency discussed in the text?
To reconcile individual freedom with moral obligations to others.
Why does Rawls exclude knowledge of one's cultural commitment behind the veil of ignorance?
To ensure that cultural attachments are not threatened or put in jeopardy.
What is the primary purpose of the veil of ignorance in Rawls' theory?
To ensure that no community can threaten or impose on another.
Which of the following statements best describes Rawls' normative theory?
It is designed to protect cultural attachments and communal commitments.
What does the text suggest about the relationship between individual freedom and communal commitments in Rawls' theory?
There is a tension between individual freedom and communal commitments that needs to be reconciled.
What is the significance of the communitarian's descriptive claims in Rawls' theory?
They are explicitly recognized and accounted for in Rawls' normative theory.
What is the purpose of protecting the specificities of people and communities in Rawls' theory?
To ensure that all people and communities are treated equally.
How does Rawls' theory go beyond pure liberalism?
By recognizing and protecting cultural attachments and communal commitments.
What is the primary focus of normative ethics?
Identifying ideal rules and norms for behavior
Which of the following statements best represents descriptive ethics?
"People tend to act in their own self-interest."
What did Bentham believe should be the measure of right and wrong?
The greatest happiness of the greatest number
What is the main criticism of communitarianism discussed in the text?
It fails to consider individual autonomy
What did Bentham believe governs human behavior?
Pain and pleasure
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of normative ethics discussed in the text?
It is based on empirical observations
What is a potential issue with the communitarian view of moral obligations?
It allows individuals to reject community obligations
Which of the following statements best represents a normative ethical claim?
"One should always tell the truth."
What is a potential issue with using narratives in ethical decision-making?
They can be manipulated to justify unethical behavior
Which of the following statements best represents a descriptive ethical claim?
"It is raining outside."
What is the main focus of normative ethics?
Identifying the best rules for behavior
What did Bentham believe should be the measure of right and wrong?
The greatest happiness of the greatest number
Which of the following statements best represents descriptive ethics?
"It is raining"
What is a potential issue with using narratives in ethical decision-making?
Narratives can be used to justify detaching from moral obligations
What is the main criticism of communitarianism discussed in the text?
It fails to account for individual rights and interests
What governs human behavior according to Bentham?
Pain and pleasure
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of normative ethics discussed in the text?
Observing how people actually behave
What is the relationship between virtuous persons and the polis (city-state) according to Aristotle?
The polis is the best arena for virtuous persons to exercise their virtue
Which of the following statements best represents a normative ethical claim?
"It is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong."
What aspect of human beliefs and practices does the political enterprise need to consider according to the text?
The balance between individual rights and communal obligations
What is the primary focus of normative ethics according to the text?
Identifying the best rules for behavior
According to Bentham, what should be the measure of right and wrong?
The measure of pain and pleasure
What does Sandel criticize about Communitarianism in the text?
Encumbering individuals with extra moral duties
What distinguishes descriptive ethics from normative ethics?
Observes how people currently behave
How does Sandel view narrative in relation to moral obligations?
As a way to reject one's communities
What does Bentham suggest governs human behavior?
Pain and pleasure
What is the main emphasis of descriptive ethics according to the text?
Grounded in observation of current behavior
How does Sandel suggest individuals can tackle extra moral duties related to community?
By detaching from their communities through narrative
'Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure.' - Who is associated with this view?
'Categorical Imperative' Bentham
'It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do...' - Who asserts this statement?
'Categorical Imperative' Bentham
What is the primary focus of normative ethics according to the text?
Identifying the best rules for behavior
According to Bentham, what governs human behavior?
Pain and pleasure
What is the main criticism of communitarianism discussed in the text?
Extra moral duties and responsibilities encumber individuals
What did Bentham believe should be the measure of right and wrong?
The greatest happiness of the greatest number
According to Aristotle, what is the ultimate end that both individuals and communities fulfill?
Eudaimonia (Human flourishing)
How does Sandel suggest individuals can tackle extra moral duties related to community?
By refusing their communities and excluding them from their moral obligations
What is the relationship between individuals and communities according to Aristotle?
Individuals are part of communities and contribute to the collective well-being
What is the primary purpose of the veil of ignorance in Rawls' theory?
To ensure impartiality and fairness in decision-making
What does the text suggest about the relationship between individual freedom and communal commitments in Rawls' theory?
Individual freedom must be balanced with communal commitments
What is the basis for the communitarian critique of Rawls and Kant?
Overlooking the importance of communal ties
According to normative ethics, what is the primary focus of study?
Identifying the best rules for behavior
What does descriptive ethics primarily study?
How people do behave
Who emphasized the importance of the greatest happiness of the greatest number as a measure of right and wrong?
Bentham
What criticism does Sandel present regarding communitarianism and moral obligations?
Belonging to a community burdens individuals with extra moral duties and responsibilities
How can individuals potentially address extra moral duties related to their community, according to the text?
By refusing their communities and detaching themselves from moral obligations
What do normative ethics and descriptive ethics respectively focus on?
Normative ethics focuses on how people ought to behave, while descriptive ethics focuses on how people do behave
Who stated that 'Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure'?
Bentham
What is the main difference between normative ethics and descriptive ethics?
Normative ethics prescribes how people should behave, while descriptive ethics describes how people actually behave
How does Sandel suggest individuals can challenge the moral ties imposed by communities?
By using instrumental thinking and fitting their narrative to their purpose
What is the key distinction between normative ethics and descriptive ethics according to the text?
Normative ethics prescribes what should be the norm, while descriptive ethics describes what is the case
What is the main focus of normative ethics?
Identifying the best rules for behavior.
According to Bentham, what should be the measure of right and wrong?
The greatest happiness of the greatest number.
What does descriptive ethics primarily study?
How people do behave, and how they think they should behave.
What is the key distinction between normative ethics and descriptive ethics according to the text?
Normative ethics prescribes how people should behave, while descriptive ethics describes how people actually behave.
How does Sandel view narrative in relation to moral obligations?
Narrative can be used to either encumber individuals with moral duties or detach them from communal obligations.
Test your knowledge on Aristotle's communitarianism, where individuals and community thrive in symbiosis through political deliberation and virtue. Explore how Aristotle emphasizes the importance of virtuous persons contributing to the polis for its thriving.
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