Conventional and Critical Morality
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Questions and Answers

What is conventional morality based on?

  • Universal moral standards
  • Character traits considered admirable in a culture
  • Accepted ideas about right and wrong within a culture (correct)
  • Critical evaluation of moral standards

    • What is the primary purpose of critical morality?

  • To evaluate conventional morality (correct)
  • To admire character traits in a culture
  • To establish universal moral standards
  • To separate right from wrong in a culture

    • What is an example of a mistaken moral belief based on conventional morality?

  • Lying is always morally wrong
  • Slavery was once morally acceptable (correct)
  • Murder is morally justifiable
  • Cheating is morally acceptable in some cases

    • What is the focus of value theory in moral philosophy?

    <p>Defining the good life and what is worth pursuing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is normative ethics concerned with?

    <p>Fundamental moral duties and virtues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the focus of metaethics in moral philosophy?

    <p>Understanding the status of moral claims</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key difference between conventional and critical morality?

    <p>Conventional morality is based on culture, while critical morality is based on universal standards</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between critical morality and conventional morality?

    <p>Critical morality evaluates and critiques conventional morality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the disadvantages of utilitarianism, what may occur as a result of decision-making?

    <p>Ignoring individual needs and preferences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential issue with the utilitarian approach in a hospital setting?

    <p>Favoring patients of higher social status</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should the university do, according to utilitarianism, when considering a donation from a controversial figure?

    <p>Accept the donation because it will benefit the university financially</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Jeff Sebo's area of expertise?

    <p>Animal and environmental studies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main topic of discussion in the passage?

    <p>Decision-making approaches in healthcare and education</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential drawback of utilitarianism in a healthcare setting?

    <p>Ignoring the needs and preferences of individual patients</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern of utilitarianism?

    <p>The greater good of the majority</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential consequence of sacrificing the well-being of a minority for the greater good?

    <p>Unequal treatment of patients based on social status</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the central idea of the utilitarian theory of what is valuable?

    <p>Happiness and the absence of suffering are the only things that are valuable in themselves.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the right action according to the utilitarian theory?

    <p>The right action is the one that maximizes happiness and minimizes suffering.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between the utilitarian theory of what is valuable and the utilitarian theory of right action?

    <p>The first one is about what is valuable, and the second one is about how to act based on that value.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason why the doctor should divide the medicine among the five patients?

    <p>Because it will save more lives and reduce suffering.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between the theory of what is valuable and the theory of right action in utilitarianism?

    <p>They are complementary parts of utilitarianism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of money in the utilitarian theory of what is valuable?

    <p>It is derivatively valuable because it helps us get happiness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of accepting the utilitarian view of what is valuable?

    <p>You are free to choose your own theory of right action.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between Needy and the other five patients?

    <p>Needy needs more doses of the medicine.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of an action according to utilitarianism?

    <p>To maximize happiness and minimize suffering</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key factor in determining the morality of an action according to utilitarianism?

    <p>The consequences of the action</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who should be considered when making moral decisions according to utilitarianism?

    <p>All rational beings, regardless of their personal interests</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the utilitarian approach to resolving moral dilemmas?

    <p>Consider the consequences of the action and choose the option that maximizes happiness and minimizes suffering</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the moral obligation of an individual according to utilitarianism?

    <p>To maximize happiness and minimize suffering for all rational beings</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of personal values and beliefs in utilitarian moral decision-making?

    <p>They are irrelevant to the moral decision-making process</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary consideration in determining the morality of an action according to utilitarianism?

    <p>The consequences of the action</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does utilitarianism approach the moral dilemma of using animals for testing products?

    <p>It considers the consequences of the action and chooses the option that maximizes happiness and minimizes suffering</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of ethics according to the passage?

    <p>The happiness of beings in this world</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the ethical theory that argues for the goodness of pleasure?

    <p>Utilitarianism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main criterion for determining the morality of an action in Utilitarianism?

    <p>The consequences of the action</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main benefit of considering the costs and benefits of actions in Utilitarianism?

    <p>It enables the maximization of happiness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of Sigmund Freud's story in the context of Utilitarianism?

    <p>It provides a real-world example of euthanasia and the pursuit of happiness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main concern of the passage regarding morality?

    <p>The maximization of happiness in this world</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of Utilitarianism according to the passage?

    <p>To maximize happiness in this world</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between pleasure and goodness in Utilitarianism?

    <p>Pleasure is a form of goodness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Conventional and Critical Morality

    • Conventional morality refers to the patterns of behavior, accepted ideas about right and wrong, and character traits that are admired in different cultures.
    • Conventional morality can differ from society to society.
    • Critical morality, on the other hand, refers to the moral standards that are independent of conventional morality and can be used to evaluate its merits.

    Example of a Past Moral Belief

    • One example of a past moral belief based on tradition/conventional morality that is now considered mistaken is the practice of slavery.

    Three Core Areas of Moral Philosophy

    • Value Theory: concerned with questions about the good life, what is worth pursuing, and how to improve our lot in life.
    • Normative Ethics: concerned with questions about fundamental moral duties, what makes right actions right, and which character traits are virtues or vices.
    • Metaethics: concerned with the status of moral claims and advice, and what morality is based on.

    Utilitarianism

    • Definition: an ethical theory that argues for the goodness of pleasure and the determination of right behavior based on the usefulness of the action's consequences.
    • Key Principle: an action is morally right if it maximizes happiness and minimizes suffering.
    • Application: Utilitarianism can be applied to real-world issues, such as euthanasia, animal testing, and resource allocation.

    Examples of Utilitarianism

    • Euthanasia: Sigmund Freud's request to end his life due to unbearable suffering can be seen as a utilitarian decision.
    • Animal Testing: a company may decide to use animals for testing products to ensure human safety, despite potential harm to animals.
    • Resource Allocation: a hospital administrator may decide to allocate limited resources to prioritize the greater good of the majority.

    Criticisms of Utilitarianism

    • Disadvantages: may lead to unequal treatment of individuals based on their social status, prioritize quantity of care over quality of care, or ignore individual needs and preferences.
    • Sacrificing the Well-being of a Minority: may require sacrificing the well-being of a minority for the greater good of the majority.

    Moral Status

    • Definition: refers to who we have moral obligations to, and why.
    • Utilitarianism: according to utilitarianism, the only thing that is valuable in its own right is happiness and the absence of suffering.
    • Theory of Right Action: the right action is the one that maximizes or produces the most expected value.

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    Explore the differences between conventional and critical morality, including how they vary across cultures and evaluate moral standards.

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