Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which philosophical theory believes that any action is moral or immoral solely based on God's commands?
Which philosophical theory believes that any action is moral or immoral solely based on God's commands?
- Immanuel Kant's Deontological Ethics
- Aristotle's Virtue Ethics
- John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism
- Divine Command Theory (correct)
What is the key dilemma associated with the Divine Command Theory?
What is the key dilemma associated with the Divine Command Theory?
- The Golden Mean Paradox
- The Euthyphro Dilemma (correct)
- The Kantian Objection
- The Utilitarianism Conflict
According to Aristotle, what is the concept that emphasizes finding a balance between deficiency and excess?
According to Aristotle, what is the concept that emphasizes finding a balance between deficiency and excess?
- Areté
- Golden Mean (correct)
- Golden Rule
- Ethical Dilemma
Who among the early philosophers believed in the concept of Virtue Ethics and the Golden Mean?
Who among the early philosophers believed in the concept of Virtue Ethics and the Golden Mean?
In Aristotle's teachings, what is the fundamental principle regarding virtues and vices?
In Aristotle's teachings, what is the fundamental principle regarding virtues and vices?
Which ethical theory focuses on maximizing overall happiness and pleasure in decision-making?
Which ethical theory focuses on maximizing overall happiness and pleasure in decision-making?
According to Divine Command Theory, why is an action considered moral or immoral?
According to Divine Command Theory, why is an action considered moral or immoral?
What did the ancient Greeks consider to be fundamentally important in a person?
What did the ancient Greeks consider to be fundamentally important in a person?
According to Aristotle, why should individuals strive to live ethical lives?
According to Aristotle, why should individuals strive to live ethical lives?
Which term describes the idea of arriving at happiness through living a pure and honorable life, as advised by Aristotle?
Which term describes the idea of arriving at happiness through living a pure and honorable life, as advised by Aristotle?
What did Confucius advocate for when he said, 'Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself'?
What did Confucius advocate for when he said, 'Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself'?
What is the core principle of Utilitarianism according to Jeremy Bentham?
What is the core principle of Utilitarianism according to Jeremy Bentham?
According to Utilitarianism, what should a person focus on when deciding how to act?
According to Utilitarianism, what should a person focus on when deciding how to act?
What does Bentham's 'Net Utility' refer to in the context of Utilitarianism?
What does Bentham's 'Net Utility' refer to in the context of Utilitarianism?
Which factor guides decision-making in Utilitarianism according to the text?
Which factor guides decision-making in Utilitarianism according to the text?
In the context of Utilitarianism, what is 'The Hedonic Calculus' used for?
In the context of Utilitarianism, what is 'The Hedonic Calculus' used for?
How does Utilitarianism suggest evaluating whether to steal someone's wallet, based on the text?
How does Utilitarianism suggest evaluating whether to steal someone's wallet, based on the text?
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Study Notes
Identifying and Making Choices
- Relate decisions to The Six Pillars of Character and 5 Principles of Ethical Policing
- Explore philosophical theories/ethical styles of various philosophers
Divine Command Theory
- Any action is either moral or immoral solely because God either commands us to do it or prohibits us from doing it
- Divine commands vary according to particular religions
- Shortcomings:
- Is something right because God commands it?
- God commands something because it’s right?
- What if God ordered you to torture babies?
Ancient Greek Philosophy
- Confucius (551-479 BC): Virtuous, doing what is right without moral dilemma
- Socrates (469-399 BC)
- Plato (428-348 BC)
- Aristotle (384-322 BC)
Aristotle
- Successor of Socrates and Plato, last of the great Greek philosophers
- Viewed virtuosity as something to be taught and practiced
- Wrote "Nicomachean Ethics" to advise on living an ethical life
- Focus on:
- Living a pure life and arriving at happiness
- Avoiding sensate pleasure and material wealth
- Living life honourably and without excess (Areté)
- Golden Mean - Deficiency vs. Excess
- Eudaimonia - happiness in the sense of living well
Eudaimonia
- The ancient Greeks viewed a person’s moral character as fundamentally important
- The central ethical question they addressed was, “What sort of person should I be?”
- The reason we should live ethical lives is to attain eudaimonia
- Eudaimonia is the ultimate goal of human acts, which all men desire
Deontological (Duty-Based) Ethics
- Focus on moral rules and duties
- Emphasizes the importance of doing one’s duty
Utilitarianism: Bentham and Mill
- Principle of Utility: “Be able to predict that the consequences of your action will assure the greatest good for the greatest number of people, everyone considered.”
- Jeremy Bentham: The most moral acts are those which maximize pleasure and minimize pain
- John Stuart Mill: Utilitarianism, On Liberty
- Focus on the outcomes of our actions, not moral rules or duties
Utilitarianism: Jeremy Bentham
- Utilitarianism gets its name from Bentham's test question, "What is the use of it?”
- “Net Utility” - overall benefit/usefulness
- Logic, not religion, guides decision-making of a utilitarian
- Morality is determined by its usefulness
- Developed his ethical system around the idea of pleasure and goodness
- “The Hedonic Calculus”
- Identify the relevant action and alternative actions
- Identify the individuals impacted by the action
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