Living in Communities: Benefits and Costs
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Living in Communities: Benefits and Costs

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What is one benefit of living in communities?

  • Isolation from others
  • Higher standard of living from economic specialization (correct)
  • Lack of personal relationships
  • Restriction of individual rights
  • Nonconformance in a community can lead to rewards.

    False

    Define 'morality' in the context of society.

    A society’s rules of conduct indicating what people ought or ought not to do.

    The two ways to view the world are the _____ point of view and the ethical point of view.

    <p>selfish</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Society = Association of people organized under a system of rules Ethics = Rational examination of morality Community = Group of individuals living together Morality = A society’s rules of conduct</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the ethical point of view prioritize?

    <p>Respecting other people and their core values</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to student evaluations, studying ethics can lead to a more narrow perspective on issues.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What principle states that any social and economic inequalities must benefit the least-advantaged members of society?

    <p>John Rawls's Difference Principle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Utilitarianism considers all consequences to be measured on different scales.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two types of virtue outlined in Virtue Ethics?

    <p>Intellectual virtues and moral virtues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In Social Contract Theory, Thomas Hobbes argued that life in a state of nature would be 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and ______.'

    <p>short</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Negative Right = A right that can be guaranteed by inaction from others Positive Right = A right obligating others to take action Absolute Right = A right guaranteed without exceptions Limited Right = A right that may have restrictions based on circumstances</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main idea of subjective relativism?

    <p>Individuals determine what is right or wrong for themselves.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Cultural relativism suggests that there are universal moral guidelines that apply to all societies.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Divine Command Theory state about good actions?

    <p>Good actions align with God's will.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one significant outcome of installing video cameras on East Dakota freeways?

    <p>Reduction in speeding by 90%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In ethical egoism, morally right actions are those that provide self with maximum __________ benefit.

    <p>long-term</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the ethical theories with their key characteristics:

    <p>Subjective Relativism = Each person decides right and wrong for themselves Cultural Relativism = Moral guidelines depend on societal norms Divine Command Theory = Good actions are aligned with God's will Kantianism = Act according to universal moral laws</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The East Dakota State Police violated the rights of drivers by using video cameras.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should have been the ethical considerations for the antispam organization when blacklisting ISPs?

    <p>The organization should have considered the impact on innocent users and sought alternative methods to reduce spam.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement represents a validity issue against ethical egoism?

    <p>Self-interest can lead to immoral behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Kantianism holds that good will is the only inherently good thing.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Alexis graduated from high school with ________.

    <p>straight As</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the actions undertaken in each scenario with their primary ethical concerns.

    <p>Alexis's use of library resources = Was it deceitful or unfair? Antispam organization's blacklist = Impact on innocent users E D S P video cameras = Privacy concerns and rights Start-up company launching a buggy app = Honesty and transparency obligations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first formulation of the Categorical Imperative?

    <p>Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern of the Categorical Imperative's second formulation?

    <p>Treating oneself and others as ends in themselves</p> Signup and view all the answers

    ___________ is the belief that different social contexts require different moral guidelines.

    <p>Cultural Relativism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What potential harm resulted from the antispam organization’s action?

    <p>Isolating innocent users in East Asia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Kantian ethics allows exceptions to perfect duties.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The East Dakota State Police acted without ethical concerns in their decision to share information with the FBI.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major criticism of Divine Command Theory?

    <p>Different holy texts often conflict in their teachings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    List one potential benefit of Alexis’s actions.

    <p>Receiving a full-ride scholarship to a prestigious university.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between perfect and imperfect duties according to Kantian ethics?

    <p>Perfect duties are obligatory without exception, while imperfect duties are generally obligatory but allow for some flexibility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Subjective relativism asserts that moral judgments are dependent on __________.

    <p>individual perspectives and cultural contexts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Jeremy Bentham's principle of utility states that an action is good if its benefits exceed its __________.

    <p>harms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the ethical theories with their definitions.

    <p>Ethical relativism = No universal standards of right and wrong Subjective relativism = Moral judgments based on individual perspectives Ethics = Rational analysis of moral choices Workable ethical theory = Produces persuasive arguments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Perfect Duty = An obligation that must be fulfilled without exception Imperfect Duty = An obligation that should be fulfilled in general but not always Act Utilitarianism = Evaluates the morality of individual actions based on their outcomes Rule Utilitarianism = Evaluates the morality of rules based on the overall happiness they produce</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the highway routing scenario, what is one primary benefit of constructing the new highway?

    <p>$39 million savings in automobile driving costs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Act utilitarianism focuses on the intent behind an action rather than its consequences.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common criticism of Act Utilitarianism?

    <p>It can be unclear whom to include in calculations and it ignores our innate sense of duty.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Kantianism treats all persons as moral __________.

    <p>equals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the anti-worm scenario, why was the release of the anti-worm deemed wrong?

    <p>The harm caused outweighed the benefits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Living in Communities: Benefits and Costs

    • Communities provide security against external dangers and enable the exchange of goods and services.
    • Economic specialization in communities can lead to a higher standard of living and personal relationships.
    • Costs of living in communities include prohibitions and obligations for certain actions, with nonconformance potentially leading to punishment.
    • The existence of communities is justified by the benefits outweighing the associated costs.

    Ethical Perspectives

    • Core values shared by individuals typically revolve around life, happiness, and accomplishment.
    • Two worldviews exist:
      • Selfish: Focuses solely on personal interests.
      • Ethical: Respects others and acknowledges their values.

    Definitions

    • Society: A group of individuals organized under rules that promote member welfare over time.
    • Morality: The rules of conduct that dictate right and wrong actions in societal contexts.
    • Ethics: The rational analysis of morality that evaluates behavior against established moral principles.

    Importance of Studying Ethics

    • Ethical studies encourage individuals to consider diverse perspectives on issues, leading to personal growth and better decision-making.
    • Recognizes the complexity of ethical dilemmas which often require deep analysis for resolution.

    Ethical Scenarios

    • Scenarios presented include dilemmas involving deceit, harm, benefits, and ethical evaluation of actions.
    • Common questions arise regarding fairness, rights violations, and alternative actions to achieve goals.

    Ethical Theories Overview

    • Subjective Relativism: Moral judgments are seen as personal and culturally dependent, leading to both subjective conclusions and challenges in establishing universal moral standards.
    • Cultural Relativism: Right and wrong are defined by societal morals which vary across cultures and time periods, but faces criticism for potentially allowing harmful practices to persist.

    Divine Command Theory

    • Aligns right actions with God's will as disclosed in holy texts, but is criticized for inconsistency across different scriptures and impracticality in diverse societies.

    Ethical Egoism

    • Suggests individuals should act in their own self-interest, promoting maximum personal benefit. However, this approach can lead to immoral actions and neglect others' needs.

    Kantianism

    • Centers on the concept of good will, asserting that moral actions must respect others as ends in themselves rather than means to an end.
    • Two formulations of the Categorical Imperative guide ethical decision-making:
      • Act only according to principles that can be universalized.
      • Treat individuals as moral equals deserving of dignity.

    Utilitarianism

    • Act Utilitarianism: Evaluates actions based on their outcomes, advocating for actions that maximize overall happiness.
    • Rule Utilitarianism: Normative approach that supports moral rules leading to general happiness when universally followed.

    Practical Evaluations

    • Ethical scenarios evaluate the anticipated benefits and harms of actions, with various stakeholders considered.
    • Case studies illustrate the complexities of ethical decision-making and the potential for societal impact.### Case for Rule Utilitarianism
    • Moral decisions can be guided by established rules rather than individual utilitarian calculations.
    • Moral rules can withstand exceptional situations without losing their validity.
    • Reduces issues related to moral luck, where outcomes influence moral judgment.
    • Minimizes bias in moral decision-making by relying on consistent rules.
    • Appeals broadly to diverse social groups, providing a common ethical framework.

    Case Against Utilitarianism in General

    • Requires all consequences to be measured on a single scale, necessitating uniform units for calculation.
    • Forces quantification of human life value in certain scenarios, raising ethical concerns.
    • Fails to address unjust distribution of positive outcomes, lacking a justice principle.
    • Conflicts may arise between the Principle of Utility and principles of justice, complicating moral evaluations.

    Social Contract Theory

    • Thomas Hobbes posits that life in the "state of nature" would be dire and prompts acceptance of a social contract.
    • Implicit social contract establishes governance and moral rules among citizens.
    • Jean-Jacques Rousseau emphasizes societal order where no individual is above the law.
    • James Rachels defines morality as a set of mutually agreed rules for relational harmony.

    Kinds of Rights

    • Negative rights require others to refrain from interfering (e.g., privacy).
    • Positive rights compel others to act on your behalf (e.g., education).
    • Absolute rights are unconditional; limited rights are subject to circumstances.

    John Rawls’s Principles of Justice

    • Individuals have claims to basic rights as long as they do not infringe on the same rights for others.
    • Social and economic inequalities must ensure equal opportunity and benefit the least advantaged, known as the difference principle.

    Convenience Stores Scenario

    • Bill collects customer purchase data to create profiles for marketing.
    • Customers have differing reactions to the sale of their information.
    • Evaluation hinges on rights concerning privacy and consent for information sharing.

    Case for Social Contract Theory

    • Framed through rights language, explaining self-interested behavior without common agreements.
    • Analyzes governmental authority and civil obedience as justified actions.

    Case Against Social Contract Theory

    • The absence of an actual signed social contract raises questions about legitimacy.
    • Conflicts where actions can have multiple ethical interpretations complicate the theory.
    • Potentially unjust towards individuals who cannot uphold the contract due to various reasons.

    Virtue Ethics

    • Critiques Enlightenment theories for neglecting moral education, social relationships, and emotions.
    • Virtue ethics centers on the idea of achieving excellence (arete) through moral virtues.
    • Intellectual virtues involve reasoning; moral virtues concern character traits like honesty.

    Aristotle on Happiness

    • Happiness results from living virtuously, acquired through consistent moral behavior.
    • Virtue Ethics emphasizes the right action consistent with virtuous character in any circumstance.

    Vices

    • Vices prevent flourishing, existing as opposites of virtues.
    • Virtues are often positioned between two extremes, e.g., courage is between cowardliness and rashness.

    Case for Virtue Ethics

    • Emphasizes virtues over obligations or consequences, aligning ethical focus with moral character.
    • Recognizes that moral skills develop through practice over time and acknowledges the role of emotions.

    Case Against Virtue Ethics

    • Disagreements exist on which traits constitute virtues for flourishing.
    • Limited applicability to government policy-making and accountability for actions.

    Comparing Workable Ethical Theories

    • Ethical objectivism asserts morality exists independently, contrasting with relativism which considers morality as a human construct.
    • Workable ethical theories share characteristics like logical reasoning and factual bases.
    • Examples include Kantianism, utilitarianism, social contract theory, and virtue ethics.

    Morality of Breaking the Law

    • From a social contract theory perspective, societal burdens are accepted for rights protection, emphasizing law obedience unless higher moral obligations compel disobedience.
    • Kantianism argues against subverting laws under the guise of justice due to potential consequences for society.
    • Rule utilitarianism weighs the happiness produced against societal respect for law.
    • Act utilitarianism examines specific scenarios where benefits of breaking the law could outweigh harms.

    Summary of Theories

    • Kantianism: Advocates respect for equal personhood and rationality in interactions.
    • Utilitarianism: Prioritizes outcome considerations in moral decisions.
    • Social Contract Theory: Encourages collective promotion of human rights.
    • Virtue Ethics: Trusts in virtuous individuals to make right choices based on character.

    Personal Ethical Decision-Making

    • Encourages individual reflection on moral duties, rights, consequences, and virtues.
    • Prompts consideration of personal aspirations for character and societal context.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the various benefits and costs associated with living in communities. It examines themes such as security, economic specialization, and personal relationships, while also addressing the ethical implications and shared core values among community members. Test your knowledge on community dynamics and the balance between advantages and obligations.

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