Formal Criterion

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which ethical theory posits that an action is morally right if and only if a perfectly virtuous person would perform it in similar circumstances?

Hedonistic Utilitarianism

Radical Virtue Ethics (correct)

Divine Command Theory

Ethical Relativism

According to Individual Relativism, an action is right for a person if it aligns with the standards generally accepted by their larger social group.

False (B)

Explain the key distinction between the Infallible Guide Theory and the Divine Command Theory regarding the relationship between God and morality.

The Divine Command Theory states that an act is right because God commands it, while the Infallible Guide Theory suggests God commands an act because it is inherently right.

The principle of maximizing satisfaction of interests is central to ___________ Utilitarianism.

Preference Signup and view all the answers

Match the following ethical theories with their core principles:

Hedonistic Utilitarianism = Maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain for all affected. Ethical Relativism = Conforming to the standards of behavior generally accepted by a social group. Preference Utilitarianism = Maximizing the satisfaction of interests for all affected. Virtue Ethics = Emulating the actions of a perfectly virtuous person. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the formal criterion of Hedonistic Utilitarianism

Act X is right for Person S if, from all relevant actions available to S, act X maximizes pleasure and minimizes pain for all affected. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the formal criterion of Virtue Ethics

Actions of a perfectly virtuous person in a given circumstance. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the formal criterion of Divine Command Theory

Act X is right because God commands us to do X Signup and view all the answers

Explain the formal criterion of Infallible Guide Theory

God commands us to do act X because X is right Signup and view all the answers

Explain the formal criterion of Indvidual Relativism

Act X is right for person if X conforms to the standards of behavior which s accepts Signup and view all the answers

Explain the formal criterion of Ethical Relativism

Act x is right for person S if X conforms to the standards of behavior generally accepted by the social group to which s belongs Signup and view all the answers

Explain the formal criterion of Preference Utilitarianism

Act x is right for person s if, of all the actions available to s, act x maximizes the satisfaction of interest of all those affected by the action Signup and view all the answers

Explain the formal criterion of Individual Relativism

Act x is right for person s if x conforms to the standard of behavior s accepts Signup and view all the answers

Explain Formal criterion of righteous

Act x is right for person s, if out all the actions available to s, act x maxmizes pleasure and minimize pan for all these affected by the action Signup and view all the answers

Explain Subjective rightness

act x is subjectively right for s, if given everything s has to go on act x has the greatest expected utility for all affected out of all the options available to s Signup and view all the answers

Explain Objective rightness

Act x is objectively right for s, out of all action available to s, act x is that in fat has the best consequences for all affected. Signup and view all the answers

“Act x is right “ is ambiguous it can mean 2 things

x is morally required to say x is morally obligatory is to say that it would be wrong not to do x is morally permissible (it’s okay to do x) to say that x is morally permissible is to say that it would not be wrong to do x and it would not be wrong not to do x Signup and view all the answers

Explain the formal criterion for Radical Virtue Ethics

Act x is right for s in circumstance c, if x is a action among those available that s perfectly virtuous human being would characersitcally to do in crimcumstance c Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Hedonistic Utilitarianism

Act X is right if it maximizes pleasure and minimizes pain for all affected.

Virtue Ethics

Actions of a perfectly virtuous person in a situation reflect moral actions.

Divine Command Theory

Act X is right because God commands it.

Ethical Relativism

Act X is right if it conforms to accepted social norms.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Preference Utilitarianism

Act X is right if it maximizes interests for all affected.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Ethical Theories and Formal Criteria

Hedonistic Utilitarianism: An action (X) is right if it maximizes pleasure and minimizes pain for all affected by that action.

Virtue Ethics

Focus: Virtue is a stable trait essential for moral growth.
Formal Criterion: Actions of a perfectly virtuous person in a given situation.

Divine Command Theory

Core Idea: An action (X) is right because God commands it.

Infallible Guide Theory

Relationship to Divine Command: God commands an action (X) because it's inherently right.

Individual Relativism (Subjectivism)

Core Idea: An action (X) is right for a person (S) if it aligns with their personal moral standards.

Ethical Relativism

Core Idea: An action (X) is right for a person (S) if it aligns with the moral standards of their social group.

Preference Utilitarianism

Focus: Maximizing the satisfaction of the interests of those affected by an action.