Ethics Overview: Subjectivism & Relativism

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Questions and Answers

What does Subjectivism claim about ethical statements?

They are based on cultural norms.

They are inherently flawed.

They are universally accepted truths.

They are statements of personal opinion. (correct)

What is a major weakness of Subjectivism?

It recognizes universal ethical truths.

It promotes a hierarchy of ethical standards.

It can easily accommodate ethical disagreements.

It assumes everyone has infallible opinions on ethics. (correct)

Cultural Relativism posits that ethics are:

Relative to individual beliefs.

Universal across cultures.

Absolute and unchanging.

Relative to one's culture. (correct)

What does the Diversity Thesis in Cultural Relativism suggest?

Ethical standards differ from culture to culture. Signup and view all the answers

According to Cultural Relativism, what is the basis for determining ethics?

Cultural ethical standards. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a misunderstanding of Subjectivism?

It assumes ethical correctness is dependent on culture. Signup and view all the answers

Which example best illustrates the Dependency Thesis of Cultural Relativism?

Valuing different practices like polygamy or monogamy based on cultural acceptance. Signup and view all the answers

What must one possess in order to be morally responsible for an action?

The capability to choose the action Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes causal responsibility?

Determining who caused a specific outcome Signup and view all the answers

In the context of moral responsibility, which example illustrates a lack of choice?

Accidentally causing harm while distracted Signup and view all the answers

Which type of determinant is NOT mentioned in the context provided?

Cultural Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about free will concerning ethical actions?

It is essential for holding individuals responsible. Signup and view all the answers

How do second-order desires relate to free will?

They indicate a higher level of conscious thought. Signup and view all the answers

What scenario exemplifies the idea of an 'Act of God' in moral discussions?

A natural disaster causing harm to individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What dilemma does Stacy face that illustrates competing desires?

Balancing the need for rest and the importance of studying. Signup and view all the answers

What does understanding the 'moral object' require?

Setting aside myths and biases Signup and view all the answers

Why is motive considered essential in human action?

It gives essential meaning to the action Signup and view all the answers

How does the timing of an action influence its ethical analysis?

It influences the chain of events and available alternatives Signup and view all the answers

What role does geography play in ethical decision-making?

It can affect the perception of an action's offensiveness Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of identifying viable alternatives in ethical analysis?

To prevent force-fitting answers to support a decision Signup and view all the answers

What question addresses the potential outcomes of an action?

What are the foreseeable effects? Signup and view all the answers

What does the question of 'who' imply in ethical decision-making?

Each person's uniqueness should be taken into account Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a component of understanding moral objects?

Believing in absolute moral truths Signup and view all the answers

What concept allows Stacy to analyze her competing desires and make a decision?

Second-order desires Signup and view all the answers

What does a person demonstrate when they correctly order their first-order desires into second-order ones?

Moral responsibility Signup and view all the answers

Why might the Joker be argued to lack free will?

He only pursues first-order desires Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical aspect of moral choice illustrated in the CEO example?

Correct ordering of desires Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, how is the morality of an action determined?

By the context in which it occurs Signup and view all the answers

How would one describe the Joker's potential inability to resist his desires?

Psychopathic behavior Signup and view all the answers

What does it imply if individuals make immoral choices by incorrectly ordering their desires?

They bear moral responsibility Signup and view all the answers

What dilemma is presented regarding the Joker's character?

Whether he makes rational choices Signup and view all the answers

What distinction does John Stuart Mill make regarding types of pleasure?

Higher and lower pleasure Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary action involved in Act Utilitarianism?

Assessing the consequences of actions Signup and view all the answers

What is a core concept in Rule Utilitarianism?

Applying universal principles Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following could be a challenge to utilitarianism?

It may justify actions that violate justice. Signup and view all the answers

According to Mill, why might an older person not want to trade places with a younger one?

Because older individuals enjoy higher pleasures. Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential step when employing Act Utilitarianism?

Calculating the overall happiness produced Signup and view all the answers

What criticism highlights the demanding nature of utilitarianism?

It blurs the line between ethical duties and exceptional actions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential justification that Act Utilitarianism may present for controversial practices?

Permitting actions like slavery for greater good. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Subjectivism

Ethical statements reflect personal opinions, not objective truths.
This view renders ethical arguments futile as all opinions are considered equal.
A statement like "X is right" translates to "I like X."
Fails to address ethical disagreements, as disagreements imply a belief in objective rightness, not merely difference in preference.
Incompatible with the observation that people change or question their ethical beliefs.

Cultural Relativism

Morality is relative to cultural norms. No universal ethical standards exist.
Ethical standards vary across cultures (Diversity Thesis).
What is morally right depends solely on one's culture (Dependency Thesis).
Determinants of cultural morality are varied (genetic, psychological, theological, causal).

Determinism and Responsibility

Determinism challenges moral responsibility by suggesting a lack of free will.
Causal responsibility focuses on the cause-and-effect of actions.
Moral responsibility involves deserving praise or blame for actions, requiring free will.
Only actions freely chosen warrant moral praise or condemnation, not accidental ones.

Free Will and Moral Responsibility

Moral responsibility requires free will, specifically the ability to make second-order desires (desires about desires).
Second-order desires involve reasoned choice among competing desires.
Individuals are morally responsible for the outcomes from their chosen ordering of desires.
The lack of capacity for second-order desires, as with the Joker, challenges moral responsibility.

The Reality-Revealing Questions

Actions are neither inherently good nor evil; their moral value is context-dependent.
Moral analysis requires examining the action's: What (the act itself, free from bias), Why (motivation and intention), How (method and integrity), Who (identities of those involved), Where (location), When (timing), Foreseeable effects, and Viable alternatives.

Utilitarianism

Focuses on maximizing overall happiness or well-being (utility).
Mill distinguished between higher and lower pleasures, arguing higher pleasures are qualitatively superior even if less intensely pleasurable.
Act Utilitarianism: assesses each action's utility and chooses the action maximizing overall good.
Rule Utilitarianism: focuses on establishing rules that maximize overall good when followed.
Challenges to Utilitarianism include potential conflicts with justice and rights, and the excessively demanding nature of always striving for maximal utility.

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Description

Explore the fundamental theories of ethics including Subjectivism, Cultural Relativism, and Determinism. Understand how these philosophies interpret moral responsibility and the influence of cultural norms on ethical standards. This quiz delves into the nuances of beliefs and their implications in ethical discussions.