Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is one reason moral philosophers may overlook the ethics of risk?
What is one reason moral philosophers may overlook the ethics of risk?
- They think utility maximization solves all issues.
- They believe that risk does not affect values. (correct)
- They are unaware of decision theory.
- They believe risk is irrelevant to their philosophy.
In what way does utilitarianism handle risk?
In what way does utilitarianism handle risk?
- By creating new moral principles about risk.
- By eliminating risk from moral consideration.
- By maximizing expected utility based on utility values. (correct)
- By relying solely on intuitive judgments.
What does decision theory provide in the context of risk or uncertainty?
What does decision theory provide in the context of risk or uncertainty?
- Utility definitions unrelated to risk.
- Rational guidance based on values. (correct)
- Emotional responses to risky situations.
- Frameworks for moral considerations only.
What is a challenge when dealing with uncertainty in utilitarianism?
What is a challenge when dealing with uncertainty in utilitarianism?
What is central to the utilitarian approach to decision-making under uncertainty?
What is central to the utilitarian approach to decision-making under uncertainty?
How does the content describe the role of the ethics of risk?
How does the content describe the role of the ethics of risk?
What role does utility play according to the utilitarian approach?
What role does utility play according to the utilitarian approach?
What conclusion can be drawn about moral philosophy concerning risk and uncertainty?
What conclusion can be drawn about moral philosophy concerning risk and uncertainty?
What does the difference principle specifically address regarding risk?
What does the difference principle specifically address regarding risk?
What criticism does Hart have regarding the Rawlsian principle of liberty?
What criticism does Hart have regarding the Rawlsian principle of liberty?
How does Harsanyi's 'original position' differ from Rawls' concept?
How does Harsanyi's 'original position' differ from Rawls' concept?
Which example is used in the content to illustrate the risks associated with certain liberties?
Which example is used in the content to illustrate the risks associated with certain liberties?
What is a key element missing in the difference principle's treatment of risk?
What is a key element missing in the difference principle's treatment of risk?
What does the absence of risk represent in the context of the difference principle?
What does the absence of risk represent in the context of the difference principle?
What is meant by the 'veil of ignorance' in Harsanyi's model?
What is meant by the 'veil of ignorance' in Harsanyi's model?
What is emphasized regarding the general exercise of some liberties?
What is emphasized regarding the general exercise of some liberties?
What is described as a genuine risk that is difficult to protect against while leading a normal life?
What is described as a genuine risk that is difficult to protect against while leading a normal life?
What causes anxiety in relation to an additional risk?
What causes anxiety in relation to an additional risk?
What is defined as a 'subliminal extra risk'?
What is defined as a 'subliminal extra risk'?
Why might a person be inclined to accept a subliminal extra risk?
Why might a person be inclined to accept a subliminal extra risk?
What contributes to a person's loss of well-being when considering a risk?
What contributes to a person's loss of well-being when considering a risk?
What might motivate an individual to agree to a risk they do not benefit from?
What might motivate an individual to agree to a risk they do not benefit from?
What does the discussion imply about the degree of risk that causes anxiety?
What does the discussion imply about the degree of risk that causes anxiety?
What is indicated as a factor in the desire for agreement on principles of risk and uncertainty?
What is indicated as a factor in the desire for agreement on principles of risk and uncertainty?
What is primarily advocated by some members of the environmental movement?
What is primarily advocated by some members of the environmental movement?
What do detractors argue about the proposed society?
What do detractors argue about the proposed society?
What is a key factor that creates intractable problems in differing attitudes towards risk?
What is a key factor that creates intractable problems in differing attitudes towards risk?
What must a person consider when deciding if an activity is permissible?
What must a person consider when deciding if an activity is permissible?
How can parties reach an agreement regarding risky activities?
How can parties reach an agreement regarding risky activities?
What might cautious individuals be willing to do for the sake of participation in an activity?
What might cautious individuals be willing to do for the sake of participation in an activity?
What is the role of stringent precautions in risky activities?
What is the role of stringent precautions in risky activities?
What might compensate for short-lived fear according to the content?
What might compensate for short-lived fear according to the content?
What is described as unable to substitute for a sense of security?
What is described as unable to substitute for a sense of security?
What generally leads to differences in how individuals perceive risk?
What generally leads to differences in how individuals perceive risk?
What do the more cautious individuals prefer over increased risk?
What do the more cautious individuals prefer over increased risk?
What argument do the cautious make against increasing risk?
What argument do the cautious make against increasing risk?
What do the cautious believe about benefits offered for additional risk?
What do the cautious believe about benefits offered for additional risk?
According to the content, how do the more cautious react to imposed risks?
According to the content, how do the more cautious react to imposed risks?
What is the disvalue recognized by cautious individuals concerning higher risk levels?
What is the disvalue recognized by cautious individuals concerning higher risk levels?
What do the less cautious individuals believe is harmed by the cautious's veto of activities?
What do the less cautious individuals believe is harmed by the cautious's veto of activities?
What must the natural rights theorist assert regarding John playing Russian roulette with Mary as the target?
What must the natural rights theorist assert regarding John playing Russian roulette with Mary as the target?
Which scenario illustrates the concept of a rights violation despite no actual harm being done?
Which scenario illustrates the concept of a rights violation despite no actual harm being done?
What is a potential issue with applying a strict rule against actions with any positive probability of harm?
What is a potential issue with applying a strict rule against actions with any positive probability of harm?
How does the magnitude of harm influence the acceptability of a risky action in the context of rights?
How does the magnitude of harm influence the acceptability of a risky action in the context of rights?
What kind of trivial violation of rights is mentioned, and why can it be considered serious?
What kind of trivial violation of rights is mentioned, and why can it be considered serious?
What does the natural rights theorist prioritize in the context of rights and duties?
What does the natural rights theorist prioritize in the context of rights and duties?
What is one major challenge facing the idea of having a uniform threshold for acceptable risk?
What is one major challenge facing the idea of having a uniform threshold for acceptable risk?
Which assumption underlies the natural rights theorist's view on John’s actions in the context of playing Russian roulette?
Which assumption underlies the natural rights theorist's view on John’s actions in the context of playing Russian roulette?
Flashcards
Ethics of Risk Denial
Ethics of Risk Denial
The belief that situations involving risk do not require special ethical principles or considerations, leading to the idea that there is no distinct field of ethics of risk.
Risk-Neutral Moral Philosophy
Risk-Neutral Moral Philosophy
A philosophical perspective that determines values and their relative importance without explicitly considering risk or uncertainty.
Decision Theory
Decision Theory
A theory that focuses on making rational decisions in situations involving risk or uncertainty based on maximizing the expected value of outcomes, given preferences and probabilities.
Utility
Utility
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Maximizing Expected Utility
Maximizing Expected Utility
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Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism
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Subjective Probabilities
Subjective Probabilities
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Utilitarianism and Risk
Utilitarianism and Risk
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Violation of Rights Through Risk
Violation of Rights Through Risk
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Rights Prior to Duties
Rights Prior to Duties
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Zero Tolerance for Risk?
Zero Tolerance for Risk?
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Acceptable Probabilities of Harm
Acceptable Probabilities of Harm
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Thresholds for Risk
Thresholds for Risk
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Uniform Risk Threshold
Uniform Risk Threshold
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Soiling a Handkerchief
Soiling a Handkerchief
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Frugal, Regulated Society
Frugal, Regulated Society
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Acceptable Risk for Personal Gain
Acceptable Risk for Personal Gain
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Safe Technology and Precautions
Safe Technology and Precautions
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Agreement on Risk Tolerance
Agreement on Risk Tolerance
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Intractable Problems of Risk
Intractable Problems of Risk
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Modus Vivendi for Risk
Modus Vivendi for Risk
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Varying Risk Levels
Varying Risk Levels
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Ethical Dilemmas of Risk
Ethical Dilemmas of Risk
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The Right to Refuse Risk Despite Compensation
The Right to Refuse Risk Despite Compensation
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Fear as a Form of Harm
Fear as a Form of Harm
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Non-Anxious Risk
Non-Anxious Risk
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Harm Through Awareness of Risk
Harm Through Awareness of Risk
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The Risk-Cautious Clash
The Risk-Cautious Clash
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Respecting the Cautious
Respecting the Cautious
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Suppressed Desires due to Risk Aversion
Suppressed Desires due to Risk Aversion
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Ethics of Imposed Risk
Ethics of Imposed Risk
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Difference principle and risk
Difference principle and risk
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Fair weight of risk
Fair weight of risk
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Difference principle limitations on risk
Difference principle limitations on risk
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Liberty vs. Risk
Liberty vs. Risk
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Excessive liberty and risk
Excessive liberty and risk
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Harsanyi's veil of ignorance
Harsanyi's veil of ignorance
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Collective good vs. individual risk
Collective good vs. individual risk
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Subliminal Extra Risk
Subliminal Extra Risk
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Desire for Agreement
Desire for Agreement
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Acceptable Level of Risk
Acceptable Level of Risk
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Threshold of Nervousness
Threshold of Nervousness
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Loss of Expected Utility vs. Actual Utility
Loss of Expected Utility vs. Actual Utility
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Interests Beyond Utility Maximization
Interests Beyond Utility Maximization
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Philosophical Approach to Risk
Philosophical Approach to Risk
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Weighing Risks and Benefits
Weighing Risks and Benefits
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Study Notes
Ethics of Risk
- Ethics of risk investigates moral principles for choices where outcomes are uncertain.
- Two main categories exist: decision-making under risk (known possible outcomes and their probabilities) and decision-making under uncertainty (unknown probabilities of outcomes).
- Risk and uncertainty are central to many personal and public decisions (e.g., marriage, careers, government policies).
- Moral philosophy often overlooks the ethics of risk.
- Utilitarianism prioritizes maximizing expected utility, handling risk by assigning subjective probabilities.
- Natural rights theory focuses on avoiding harming others, leading to potentially impractical restrictions or complex calculations involving probabilities.
- Contractualism emphasizes rational agreement, but struggles to account for differing risk preferences among individuals, especially when risks are imposed on others, not taken by them.
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Description
This quiz explores the moral principles and decision-making processes involved in the ethics of risk. Delve into the categories of decision-making under risk and uncertainty, and analyze the implications of various moral philosophies such as utilitarianism and contractualism. Engage with real-world applications to better understand how ethics shape personal and public decisions.