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Questions and Answers
According to the Triple Font of Morality (TFM), what are the three elements that determine the morality of human acts?
According to the Triple Font of Morality (TFM), what are the three elements that determine the morality of human acts?
- Object, circumstance, and result
- Object, intention, and consequence
- Intention, circumstance, and outcome
- Object, intention, and circumstances (correct)
The 'object' in the Triple Font of Morality (TFM) refers to the end goal or purpose behind a specific action.
The 'object' in the Triple Font of Morality (TFM) refers to the end goal or purpose behind a specific action.
False (B)
In the context of the Triple Font of Morality, explain how the 'intention' of an action is defined.
In the context of the Triple Font of Morality, explain how the 'intention' of an action is defined.
The direct object of the will representing the goal or objective of the action.
In moral philosophy, the non-essential conditions surrounding an act, which can increase or decrease its goodness or badness, are known as ________.
In moral philosophy, the non-essential conditions surrounding an act, which can increase or decrease its goodness or badness, are known as ________.
Match each element of the Triple Font of Morality with its correct definition:
Match each element of the Triple Font of Morality with its correct definition:
What is the crucial distinction between 'murder' and 'self-defense' when considering the 'object' component of the Triple Font of Morality?
What is the crucial distinction between 'murder' and 'self-defense' when considering the 'object' component of the Triple Font of Morality?
According to the Triple Font of Morality, a good intention alone is sufficient to make an action morally good, even if the object is bad.
According to the Triple Font of Morality, a good intention alone is sufficient to make an action morally good, even if the object is bad.
Explain how the circumstances of an action can affect its moral evaluation, according to the Triple Font of Morality.
Explain how the circumstances of an action can affect its moral evaluation, according to the Triple Font of Morality.
In ethical terms, if someone commits a robbery with the intention to provide for their family, the robbery itself is the ________, while the intention to support the family is the ________.
In ethical terms, if someone commits a robbery with the intention to provide for their family, the robbery itself is the ________, while the intention to support the family is the ________.
Match the examples with the component of Triple Font of Morality that they primarily illustrate:
Match the examples with the component of Triple Font of Morality that they primarily illustrate:
According to the principles discussing 'Actions with Indirect Effects', which of the following must be true for an act with both good and bad effects to be considered morally permissible?
According to the principles discussing 'Actions with Indirect Effects', which of the following must be true for an act with both good and bad effects to be considered morally permissible?
In actions with indirect effects, the evil effect must be directly willed for the action to be considered morally permissible, as long as the good effect is greater.
In actions with indirect effects, the evil effect must be directly willed for the action to be considered morally permissible, as long as the good effect is greater.
Explain the concept of proportionality in the context of actions with indirect effects.
Explain the concept of proportionality in the context of actions with indirect effects.
In the context of actions with indirect effects, undergoing chemotherapy to restore health can have an unintended consequence of infertility. Restoring health is the ________, while suffering infertility is the ________.
In the context of actions with indirect effects, undergoing chemotherapy to restore health can have an unintended consequence of infertility. Restoring health is the ________, while suffering infertility is the ________.
Match the scenario with the ethical principle concerning actions with indirect effects that it best represents:
Match the scenario with the ethical principle concerning actions with indirect effects that it best represents:
Which best describes 'Material Cooperation in Evil'?
Which best describes 'Material Cooperation in Evil'?
Material cooperation is always morally wrong and can never be justified under any circumstances.
Material cooperation is always morally wrong and can never be justified under any circumstances.
How is 'material cooperation in evil' distinct to 'formal cooperation in evil'?
How is 'material cooperation in evil' distinct to 'formal cooperation in evil'?
In general, one must not cooperate in the evil of another even __________. However, material cooperation can be licit if certain criteria are met.
In general, one must not cooperate in the evil of another even __________. However, material cooperation can be licit if certain criteria are met.
Match the following scenarios with whether they represent Material or Formal Cooperation in Evil:
Match the following scenarios with whether they represent Material or Formal Cooperation in Evil:
What is the primary characteristic of 'conscientious objection'?
What is the primary characteristic of 'conscientious objection'?
Conscientious objection is only applicable when an individual's religious beliefs conflict with a law.
Conscientious objection is only applicable when an individual's religious beliefs conflict with a law.
What is the basis of the right to conscientious objection?
What is the basis of the right to conscientious objection?
__________ __________ is any form of resistance to an action mandated by a higher authority, based on an individual's conviction that their conscience dictates otherwise.
__________ __________ is any form of resistance to an action mandated by a higher authority, based on an individual's conviction that their conscience dictates otherwise.
Match the following scenarios with whether they represent a valid example of Conscientious Objection:
Match the following scenarios with whether they represent a valid example of Conscientious Objection:
What does the 'object of choice' refer to in the Triple Font of Morality (TFM)?
What does the 'object of choice' refer to in the Triple Font of Morality (TFM)?
Circumstances can change the moral quality of an action, making a fundamentally bad act good if the circumstances are positive enough.
Circumstances can change the moral quality of an action, making a fundamentally bad act good if the circumstances are positive enough.
In the context of ethical decision-making, how does material cooperation differ from formal cooperation?
In the context of ethical decision-making, how does material cooperation differ from formal cooperation?
According to ethical principles, __________ __________ is defined as resistance to an action mandated by authority that violates an individual's moral convictions.
According to ethical principles, __________ __________ is defined as resistance to an action mandated by authority that violates an individual's moral convictions.
Match the ethical concepts to their definitions:
Match the ethical concepts to their definitions:
Flashcards
Triple Font of Morality (TFM)
Triple Font of Morality (TFM)
A framework that evaluates the morality of actions based on the object, intention, and circumstances.
Object of Choice (in TFM)
Object of Choice (in TFM)
The specific act being chosen; the means to achieve an end.
Intention (in TFM)
Intention (in TFM)
The end goal or motive for making a particular choice.
Circumstances (in TFM)
Circumstances (in TFM)
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Actions with Indirect Effects
Actions with Indirect Effects
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Good Act Requirement
Good Act Requirement
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Means To The End
Means To The End
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Proportionality
Proportionality
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Material Cooperation in Evil
Material Cooperation in Evil
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Conscientious Objection
Conscientious Objection
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Study Notes
- Moral judgment of particular acts is a component of HED 3101 Principles of Ethics.
- The lecture covers the Triple Font of Morality (TFM) Theory, the morality of actions with double/indirect effects, the morality of material cooperation in evil and conscientious objection.
- Recommended reading includes Debeljuh- Chapter 5 and Mimbi- Chapter 15.
The Triple Font of Morality (TFM) Theory
- TFM is a criterion for the moral judgment of human acts.
- It is based on the object of choice, the intention of choice, and the circumstances surrounding the choice.
- The object of choice refers to the means to an end.
- The intention of choice refers to the end goal.
- Circumstances are the conditions surrounding the choice.
- The object answers the question, "What is ‘X’ doing?" and could be a useful good. E.g., ‘X’ is doing Y (committing murder).
- The moral object involves the physical thing or act and its ethical significance
- Physical act: shooting someone and their moral objects are murder (unjust killing) OR self-defense (justifiable protection of life).
- The object has an inherent moral value that is evaluated in relation to human flourishing or true happiness.
- Intention answers the question, "Why is ‘X’ doing Y?" e.g., X is committing a robbery to maintain his family/lifestyle.
- Intention is the objective of the action without which the action would not be done.
- For an act to be good, both the intention and the object must be good.
- Circumstances are the non-essential conditions surrounding an act, such as foreseeable and situational consequences.
- Circumstances can increase or decrease the goodness or badness of an act, but do not change the moral quality.
- Circumstances of the person could influence the quality of the objective. Murder of one's father (patricide) vs. a stranger (homicide).
- Quantity: Stealing a Vitz vs. stealing a Benz.
- When: Delaying to correct a friend for no good reason.
- Where: To dress provocatively in church vs. dressing provocatively at a disco.
- The Act Consequences: A homicide that amounts to widowhood and orphaned children.
- The means employed in the Act: Killing someone with a single bullet vs. torturing them to death.
- The Mode of the act: Manslaughter is not the same as premeditated murder.
- Other intentions around the act are relevant: Singing with vanity vs. singing for.
Morality of Actions with Indirect Effects
- Actions with indirect effects have an indirect object of the will
- An indirect object of the will is a consequence of action (a collateral effect of an action) which does not interest the person and is not willed as an end or means.
- It is foreseen and permitted because it is inevitably linked to that which is willed.
- Direct object of intention/end: To restore health.
- Direct object of choice: To undergo chemotherapy and means to attain the end.
- Indirect object/ an effect that is not willed but is foreseen and permitted: To suffer infertility.
- The direct object of choice must be a good act.
- The indirect object cannot be a means to the end, otherwise, it would no longer be an indirect object but a direct object.
- The evil effect must not be willed directly but only tolerated, otherwise, it would no longer be an indirect object but a direct object.
- Proportionality must exist.
Material Cooperation in Evil
- Material cooperation is not formal cooperation in evil.
- Formal cooperation in evil: To be an accomplice = to intend or want the evil done by another.
- Material cooperation in evil: Coexistence in the morally wrong action of another, not by doing the act in any way nor by intending to do it, but by supplying some peripheral assistance, or preparation for the act.
- One must not cooperate in the evil of another even materially as a general, material cooperation can be licit if:
- There is need to carry out the action and there is no other way of obtaining the good or avoiding the evil.
- The rules of morality of actions with indirect effects stated above are observed.
- There are actions whose evil is so great that material cooperation in them is.
Conscientious Objection
- This is any form of resistance to an action mandated by a higher authority because one's conscience dictates otherwise.
- Conscientious objection is a right that is rooted in the natural obligation to follow one's judgment of conscience.
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