Ethics and Moral Reasoning

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of feelings according to the text?

To internalize the world and respond spontaneously

What is the object of feeling, as described in the text?

Value judgments and valuations

How do feelings differ from thinking, according to the text?

Feelings are more intimate and difficult to hide, while thinking is more intellectual

What is the relationship between feelings and the body, according to the text?

Feelings are more expressed in body language than in concepts Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest is the result of controlling feelings?

A discrepancy between inner and outer emotional expression Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between involvement and feeling, according to the text?

Involvement is more in the background, while feeling is more in the foreground Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary requirement for making moral judgments?

Good reasons and impartial consideration Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of reason in moral deliberation?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following arguments is based on the principle that human life is precious regardless of age, race, social class, or handicap?

The Argument from the Sanctity of Human Life Signup and view all the answers

What is the morally right thing to do in any circumstance?

Whatever there are the best reasons for doing Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of the Argument That We Should Not Use People as Means?

Not using people as means to other people's ends Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of intellectual deliberation in emotions?

Taking responsibility for emotions Signup and view all the answers

What is the key distinction between right and wrong in the context of feelings and actions?

It is not feelings that are right or wrong, but rather the choices and actions that stem from value preferences. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary importance of being aware of your feelings?

It leads you to know what you are involved with. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why we need to share our feelings with others?

Because feeling is connected with the body and the body relates to others. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of spiritual feelings that distinguishes them from other types of feelings?

They are intentional, meaning they are directed towards an object or value. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between values and feelings in the context of philosophy of value?

Values are a particular class of ideal objects that are objects of feelings. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary requirement when sharing one's feelings with others?

Confidentiality and discretion. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Importance of Feeling Awareness

Feeling awareness helps us understand what we are involved with and reveals our intimate core.
Feelings are connected to the body and relate to others.
Confidentiality is crucial when sharing feelings.

Phenomenology of Feelings

There are four types of feelings:
- Sensible feelings (feelings of sensation)
- Feelings of the lived body (feeling states)
- Psychic feelings
- Spiritual feelings (feelings of the personality, intentional and directed to an object or value)

Philosophy of Value

Values are ideal objects, objects of feelings, and are:
- Objective
- Eternal
- Immutable
Minds are blind to values, just as eyes are blind to sound and ears are deaf to colors.

The Act: Feelings and Reason

The upsurge of feelings is natural, and what we do with them makes us ethical or unethical.
The ethical requirement of reason and impartiality involves:
- Good reasons
- Impartial consideration of each individual's interests

Nature of Feeling

Feeling is an affective mode of consciousness, involving the body and being more intimate than thinking.
Feelings give us information about ourselves and our relation to the world.
Object of feeling: value.

Intellectual Deliberation

Emotions lack intellectual deliberation, and we cannot be responsible for our emotions.
Moral judgments must be backed by good reasons and impartial consideration of each individual's interests.

Reason

Reason is the capacity for consciously making sense of things, applying logic, and establishing and verifying facts.
The best reasons may be determined by using various arguments, such as:
- The Benefits Argument
- The Argument That We Should Not Use People as Means
- The Argument from the Wrongness of Killing
- The Argument That We Should Save as Many as We Can
- The Argument from the Sanctity of Human Life
- The Argument from the Wrongness of Discriminating against the Handicapped
- The Slippery Slope Argument

Moral Reasoning

The morally right thing to do is whatever there are the best reasons for doing.
The 7-step moral reasoning model involves considering these arguments to determine the best course of action.