Podcast
Questions and Answers
According to the Divine Command Theory, a moral act is one which ______ says is moral.
According to the Divine Command Theory, a moral act is one which ______ says is moral.
God
The Categorical Imperative states that a moral act is one which would be universally ______ if everyone did it.
The Categorical Imperative states that a moral act is one which would be universally ______ if everyone did it.
beneficial
According to Act Utilitarianism, a moral act is one which does the most good for the most ______.
According to Act Utilitarianism, a moral act is one which does the most good for the most ______.
people
Philosophers have debated whether subjective feelings should ______ when deciding right and wrong.
Philosophers have debated whether subjective feelings should ______ when deciding right and wrong.
Signup and view all the answers
Some argue that emotions are a crucial part of what gives life ______.
Some argue that emotions are a crucial part of what gives life ______.
Signup and view all the answers
The field of moral ______ combines research from psychology, economics, and neuroscience.
The field of moral ______ combines research from psychology, economics, and neuroscience.
Signup and view all the answers
Moral psychologists have used experimental designs to assess people's behavior and performance on certain ______.
Moral psychologists have used experimental designs to assess people's behavior and performance on certain ______.
Signup and view all the answers
The debate between ______ and reason is one of the oldest and most epic standoffs we know.
The debate between ______ and reason is one of the oldest and most epic standoffs we know.
Signup and view all the answers
Michael Davis identified ______ steps to guide ethical decision-making.
Michael Davis identified ______ steps to guide ethical decision-making.
Signup and view all the answers
The first step in Davis' model is to ______ the problem.
The first step in Davis' model is to ______ the problem.
Signup and view all the answers
In the second step, one must ______ the facts of the situation.
In the second step, one must ______ the facts of the situation.
Signup and view all the answers
The fifth step involves applying various ______ to test the options.
The fifth step involves applying various ______ to test the options.
Signup and view all the answers
One of the tests mentioned is the ______ test, which questions the harm of the option.
One of the tests mentioned is the ______ test, which questions the harm of the option.
Signup and view all the answers
Reviewing steps 1-6 aims to reduce the likelihood of making a ______ decision again.
Reviewing steps 1-6 aims to reduce the likelihood of making a ______ decision again.
Signup and view all the answers
Emotions such as ______ can influence ethical reasoning.
Emotions such as ______ can influence ethical reasoning.
Signup and view all the answers
Conscience helps discern what is morally right or ______.
Conscience helps discern what is morally right or ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Framing is a principle that helps the brain create meaning out of ______.
Framing is a principle that helps the brain create meaning out of ______.
Signup and view all the answers
The development of ______ is central to personal and spiritual growth.
The development of ______ is central to personal and spiritual growth.
Signup and view all the answers
Will must act through various inner ______ that provide an interface for actions.
Will must act through various inner ______ that provide an interface for actions.
Signup and view all the answers
There are active, receptive, and ______ modes of will.
There are active, receptive, and ______ modes of will.
Signup and view all the answers
Davis believes that identifying ______ options is crucial for ethical challenges.
Davis believes that identifying ______ options is crucial for ethical challenges.
Signup and view all the answers
In ethical theory, emotions can sometimes be in ______ with reason.
In ethical theory, emotions can sometimes be in ______ with reason.
Signup and view all the answers
When analyzing a moral issue, one must consider ______ constraints like laws and professional codes.
When analyzing a moral issue, one must consider ______ constraints like laws and professional codes.
Signup and view all the answers
One pioneer in this field is the philosopher and Harvard University psychology professor ______.
One pioneer in this field is the philosopher and Harvard University psychology professor ______.
Signup and view all the answers
The 'trolley problem' is an ethical thought experiment that involves deciding whether to flip a switch or push a man off a ______.
The 'trolley problem' is an ethical thought experiment that involves deciding whether to flip a switch or push a man off a ______.
Signup and view all the answers
______ is concerned with making sense of intuitions about what is right and good.
______ is concerned with making sense of intuitions about what is right and good.
Signup and view all the answers
Biologists verify that emotion is never truly divorced from ______ making.
Biologists verify that emotion is never truly divorced from ______ making.
Signup and view all the answers
According to moral philosopher Mary Midgley, sensitivity requires rationality to complete it, and vice ______.
According to moral philosopher Mary Midgley, sensitivity requires rationality to complete it, and vice ______.
Signup and view all the answers
We rely on our reason to guard against feelings that may reflect a ______, or a sense of inadequacy.
We rely on our reason to guard against feelings that may reflect a ______, or a sense of inadequacy.
Signup and view all the answers
Empathy is described as a unique form of ______ in which we are directed toward the other's experience.
Empathy is described as a unique form of ______ in which we are directed toward the other's experience.
Signup and view all the answers
Conscience, at its best, reflects our integration of moral ______ and principles.
Conscience, at its best, reflects our integration of moral ______ and principles.
Signup and view all the answers
Our moral community broadens from family to friends and then encompasses our larger ______.
Our moral community broadens from family to friends and then encompasses our larger ______.
Signup and view all the answers
The fundamental way to develop our ______ involves setting a goal, working toward that goal, and monitoring our progress.
The fundamental way to develop our ______ involves setting a goal, working toward that goal, and monitoring our progress.
Signup and view all the answers
When it comes to morality, we should be ______.
When it comes to morality, we should be ______.
Signup and view all the answers
The first hurdle in setting a goal is to choose ______.
The first hurdle in setting a goal is to choose ______.
Signup and view all the answers
One might argue that acting otherwise is ______ and lacks justification.
One might argue that acting otherwise is ______ and lacks justification.
Signup and view all the answers
Without self-feedback, we cannot truly exercise our ______.
Without self-feedback, we cannot truly exercise our ______.
Signup and view all the answers
A moral point of view is often equated with being an ______ spectator.
A moral point of view is often equated with being an ______ spectator.
Signup and view all the answers
Racism treats people differently based on a feature that is totally morally ______.
Racism treats people differently based on a feature that is totally morally ______.
Signup and view all the answers
The goal should be something within our ______ and the right size.
The goal should be something within our ______ and the right size.
Signup and view all the answers
The principle of moral behavior is based on the ______ Rule.
The principle of moral behavior is based on the ______ Rule.
Signup and view all the answers
People who are partial to their friends and family may make the same ______ as racists.
People who are partial to their friends and family may make the same ______ as racists.
Signup and view all the answers
Impartiality and partiality can create tension between two moral ______.
Impartiality and partiality can create tension between two moral ______.
Signup and view all the answers
The Golden Rule suggests that you should do unto others what you would have them do unto ______.
The Golden Rule suggests that you should do unto others what you would have them do unto ______.
Signup and view all the answers
The negative golden rule is an improvement over the Golden ______.
The negative golden rule is an improvement over the Golden ______.
Signup and view all the answers
The Ten Commandments provides examples of ethical ______.
The Ten Commandments provides examples of ethical ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Ethics should concern all levels of ______: acting properly, creating responsible organizations, and making society more ethical.
Ethics should concern all levels of ______: acting properly, creating responsible organizations, and making society more ethical.
Signup and view all the answers
A good system of law should be ______.
A good system of law should be ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Ethics provides a set of standards for ______ that helps us decide how we ought to act.
Ethics provides a set of standards for ______ that helps us decide how we ought to act.
Signup and view all the answers
The field of ethics is traditionally divided into three areas: meta-ethics, normative ethics, and ______ ethics.
The field of ethics is traditionally divided into three areas: meta-ethics, normative ethics, and ______ ethics.
Signup and view all the answers
Many people use the terms morality and ______ interchangeably.
Many people use the terms morality and ______ interchangeably.
Signup and view all the answers
The framework for making ethical decisions recognizes that decisions about right and wrong can be ______ and may relate to individual context.
The framework for making ethical decisions recognizes that decisions about right and wrong can be ______ and may relate to individual context.
Signup and view all the answers
The goal or task should not depend on any other ______.
The goal or task should not depend on any other ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Ethical Theories
- Divine Command Theory: A moral act is one God deems moral. Example: Paying taxes because Jesus said to give to Caesar what is Caesar's.
- Categorical Imperative: A moral act is one that, if universally adopted, would yield positive results. Example: Telling the truth, because if everyone did it, the world would be better.
- Act Utilitarianism: A moral act maximizes good for the greatest number of people. Example: Throwing a lever to save three lives on a runaway train, even if it means one person dies.
Integral Parts of a Moral Act
- Moral judgments are made by considering laws, traditions, religious texts, and rational thought.
- However, feelings like disgust, fondness, or fear also impact decisions.
- Philosophers debate the role of subjective feelings in morality. Some prioritize emotions, while others favor impartial reason.
Moral Cognition
- The field of moral cognition studies moral decision-making using psychology, economics, and neuroscience.
- Studies like the trolley problem, using brain imaging, examine the role of intuition in ethical tradeoffs.
- Moral decisions are susceptible to biases like other types of decisions.
Reason and Feelings
- Ethics involves understanding intuitions about what is right and good through reasoning about feelings.
- Emotions are inseparable from decision-making, even when suppressed.
- Complete objectivity is impossible; observations shape perception.
Elements of Moral Experience
- Feelings and rationality are interconnected and necessary for ethical decision-making.
- Reason helps to scrutinize feelings for biases, inadequacy, or argumentative desires.
- Emotions motivate moral action and ensure reasoning is fair and humane.
- Empathy is a key element in moral development, enabling identification with others and concern.
- Empathy precedes rational abilities, both in individual and evolutionary terms.
- Conscience integrates moral sentiments and principles. Examining values with others, including concerns about social and environmental issues, strengthens ethical decision making.
Moral Communities
- Morality is shaped by participation in different communities, from family to global groups.
- Moral communities evolve; from family, to friendships, to neighborhoods, and to global groups.
- These communities shape our values and the expression of our moral code. The ethical framework we use depends to a large degree on the community that we belong to.
Impartiality
- Impartiality—treating all equally—clashes with partiality, favoring those close.
- Moral implications of impartiality vs partiality:
- Reject impartiality.
- Reject partiality.
- Reframe impartiality.
- Impartial judgments enhance moral considerations and protect individuals from biases.
Seven Steps in Moral Reasoning Model
- Step 1: Define the problem.
- Step 2: Gather the facts.
- Step 3: Identify factors.
- Step 4: Generate options.
- Step 5: Evaluate each option using tests like the harm, publicity, defensibility, reversibility, colleague, professional, and organizational tests.
- Step 6: Choose the best option based on evaluation.
- Step 7: Reflect and determine how to prevent future similar decisions.
Emotions and Reason
- Reason is often contrasted with faith, but some argue faith and reason can coexist.
- Emotions involve reason; e.g. anger based on a belief a wrong has occurred.
- Religious ethics debates the role of emotions in morality, including voluntariness, relationship with action, and definition.
Conscience
- Conscience allows discernment of right and wrong.
- Religious ethicists debate the extent to which conscience is influenced by faith.
- Framing is a cognitive process where the brain creates meaning from a complex situation.
Developing the Will
- Will is central to selfhood, encompassing both spiritual and self-development.
- Will involves active control, receptiveness, and synergy.
- Maintaining focus (attention) relies on energy and replenishment. Skill and intelligence are key to working towards any goal.
- Success requires setting appropriate (achievable), difficulty-sized goals that avoid dependence on others.
Principles in Moral Behavior
- Golden Rule: Doing to others what you want done to you (Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31),
- Critique of Golden Rule: Can lead to justification of aggressive actions based on personal values.
- Negative Golden Rule: Do not do to others what you do not want done to you (Confucius). Emphasizes restraint and avoiding actions that cause harm to others.
Framework for Making Ethical Decisions
- Ethics considers individual actions, organizational responsibilities, and social impact.
- Ethics contrasts with religion, which may not cover all ethical scenarios.
- Law provides a universal guide, but ethics accommodates individual situations.
- Morality often overlaps with ethics, where ethics provides a rational foundation for moral principles and decisions.
- Ethics is divided into meta-ethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore key ethical theories such as Divine Command Theory and Categorical Imperative while examining the integral parts that shape moral acts. This quiz also delves into the psychological aspects of moral cognition and how emotions contribute to moral decision-making. Test your understanding of these complex concepts in ethics!
