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Questions and Answers
What is the main implication if God wills moral standards because they are right?
What is the main implication if God wills moral standards because they are right?
What does the phrase 'abortion is wrong' primarily express?
What does the phrase 'abortion is wrong' primarily express?
What is a key tenet of emotivism in ethics?
What is a key tenet of emotivism in ethics?
Which of the following best represents the perspective of moral subjectivism?
Which of the following best represents the perspective of moral subjectivism?
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How do atheists generally view moral values according to the content?
How do atheists generally view moral values according to the content?
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What is one argument made by theists regarding objective moral values?
What is one argument made by theists regarding objective moral values?
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What does moral realism affirm?
What does moral realism affirm?
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According to the argument presented by theists, what follows if it is true that objective moral values exist?
According to the argument presented by theists, what follows if it is true that objective moral values exist?
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What challenge does an atheistic view of morals face regarding obligations?
What challenge does an atheistic view of morals face regarding obligations?
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What principle does cultural relativism emphasize regarding morality?
What principle does cultural relativism emphasize regarding morality?
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How does subjectivism present moral judgments?
How does subjectivism present moral judgments?
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Which of the following statements aligns with the concept of moral objectivity?
Which of the following statements aligns with the concept of moral objectivity?
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What distinguishes simple subjectivism from moral relativism?
What distinguishes simple subjectivism from moral relativism?
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Which argument is a critique of the naturalistic fallacy?
Which argument is a critique of the naturalistic fallacy?
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What does the principle of 'emotivism' claim regarding moral statements?
What does the principle of 'emotivism' claim regarding moral statements?
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Which of the following illustrates a common challenge posed by subjectivism?
Which of the following illustrates a common challenge posed by subjectivism?
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What is a key difference between moral relativism and moral objectivism?
What is a key difference between moral relativism and moral objectivism?
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What is the implication of moral realism in discussions about morality?
What is the implication of moral realism in discussions about morality?
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Which statement best differentiates psychological egoism from ethical egoism?
Which statement best differentiates psychological egoism from ethical egoism?
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What does it imply if God wills moral standards because they are right?
What does it imply if God wills moral standards because they are right?
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Which concept involves acting in the interest of others as a moral principle?
Which concept involves acting in the interest of others as a moral principle?
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What challenge does ethical egoism pose to common views of morality?
What challenge does ethical egoism pose to common views of morality?
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Why can psychological egoism and ethical egoism not both be true?
Why can psychological egoism and ethical egoism not both be true?
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What do moral standards being binding independently imply?
What do moral standards being binding independently imply?
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Which viewpoint would generally argue that moral goodness is determined solely by God's will?
Which viewpoint would generally argue that moral goodness is determined solely by God's will?
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Study Notes
Branches of Philosophy
- Logic: Governs rules of human thinking, including communication principles. Example: the principle of non-contradiction (one cannot hold both P and not P).
- Metaphysics and Epistemology: The study of reality and the theory of knowledge (e.g., what we know).
- Value Theory: Explores the nature of value and what things are valuable/good, including the meaningful aspects of life and morality. It considers if morality is objective or subjective and evaluates if things should be described or evaluated.
Arguments
- Structure: Arguments consist of premises and a conclusion.
- Deductive Arguments: The premises logically relate to the conclusion. A valid deductive argument ensures that if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true. A sound argument is both valid and has true premises.
- Example: P1: If it rains, then the streets get wet. P2: It is raining. C: Therefore, the streets are wet. (Valid and sound if both premises are true)
Validity and Soundness
- Validity: If the premises are true, the conclusion must be true.
- Soundness: A deductive argument is sound if it is valid and has true premises.
Additional Examples
- Invalid and unsound example: P1: If it is raining, then the streets are wet. P2: The streets are wet. C: Therefore, it is raining. (Invalid - the streets can be wet for other reasons).
- Valid but unsound Example: P1: All men are mortal. P2: Socrates is a man. C: Socrates is mortal. (Valid because if all p1 is true, and p2 is true, then c must be true) - (Sound because p1, and p2 are true statements)
- Invalid but sound Example: P1 All dogs are animals P2 All golden retrievers are dogs C all golden retrievers are animals (Valid because p1 and p2 are true, and c logically fits in ) - (Sound because p1, and p2 are true statements)
Inductive Arguments
- Probabilistic: Inductive arguments are based on probabilities, not certainties.
- Strong vs Weak: Strong arguments show a high probability of the conclusion being true (if the premises are true). Weak arguments demonstrate a low probability.
- Example: P1: Every Saturday for the past 10 years, Bob's alarm went off at 5 am. P2: Tomorrow is Saturday. C: Therefore, Bob's alarm will likely go off at 5 am. (Strong inductive argument).
Is/Ought Fallacy
- Descriptive statements: describe something without expressing an opinion.
- Normative statements: express an opinion or judgement.
- Fallacy: drawing a normative conclusion from descriptive premises.
Moral Subjectivism and Cultural Relativism
- Moral Subjectivism: Moral judgments are expressions of personal preferences; there are no universal moral truths, or no objective moral standards.
- Cultural Relativism: Moral truths are relative to a particular culture. There are no universal moral standards that apply to all cultures, and a moral code in a society is valid for the members of that society even if deemed wrong by another society.
God and Morality
- Theist: Belief in God often entails the existence of objective moral values because God is the source of right and wrong.
- Atheist: Moral values can exist even without God. This is the basis of moral realism.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the fundamental branches of philosophy, including logic, metaphysics, epistemology, and value theory. Dive into the structure of arguments, exploring deductive reasoning and examples of sound and valid arguments. Challenge yourself to understand how these concepts shape our understanding of reality and morality.
