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Questions and Answers
What does intrinsic value refer to?
What does intrinsic value refer to?
How does Aristotle's golden mean relate to decision making?
How does Aristotle's golden mean relate to decision making?
What is the primary focus of act utilitarianism?
What is the primary focus of act utilitarianism?
Which of the following best describes eudaimonia?
Which of the following best describes eudaimonia?
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What do prescriptive claims express?
What do prescriptive claims express?
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Which of the following principles is primarily concerned with minimizing harm in ethical decision-making?
Which of the following principles is primarily concerned with minimizing harm in ethical decision-making?
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What does Kant's concept of autonomy emphasize in moral decision-making?
What does Kant's concept of autonomy emphasize in moral decision-making?
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According to Singer's Principle of Equality, which of the following statements is most accurate?
According to Singer's Principle of Equality, which of the following statements is most accurate?
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What does soft paternalism allow that hard paternalism does not?
What does soft paternalism allow that hard paternalism does not?
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Which ethical theory values the outcomes of actions as the primary criterion for determining right and wrong?
Which ethical theory values the outcomes of actions as the primary criterion for determining right and wrong?
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What characterizes a valid argument?
What characterizes a valid argument?
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Which statement describes a sound argument?
Which statement describes a sound argument?
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Which fallacy occurs when the conclusion does not logically follow due to a flaw in reasoning?
Which fallacy occurs when the conclusion does not logically follow due to a flaw in reasoning?
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An example of denying the antecedent is:
An example of denying the antecedent is:
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What is an ad hominem fallacy?
What is an ad hominem fallacy?
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Which of the following best describes a descriptive claim?
Which of the following best describes a descriptive claim?
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What does a straw man fallacy involve?
What does a straw man fallacy involve?
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What type of claim expresses judgments or opinions about how things should be?
What type of claim expresses judgments or opinions about how things should be?
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What term describes actions that primarily affect oneself, rather than others?
What term describes actions that primarily affect oneself, rather than others?
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What characterizes a sound argument?
What characterizes a sound argument?
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Which principle emphasizes the duty to avoid causing harm to others?
Which principle emphasizes the duty to avoid causing harm to others?
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Which statement is an example of the fallacy of affirming the consequent?
Which statement is an example of the fallacy of affirming the consequent?
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According to Kant, what is necessary for moral respect?
According to Kant, what is necessary for moral respect?
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Which type of reasoning error is related to attacking an individual rather than their argument?
Which type of reasoning error is related to attacking an individual rather than their argument?
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Which of the following best exemplifies soft paternalism?
Which of the following best exemplifies soft paternalism?
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What underlies a 'false dilemma' fallacy?
What underlies a 'false dilemma' fallacy?
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What is the primary critique of act utilitarianism?
What is the primary critique of act utilitarianism?
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Which fallacy occurs when someone oversimplifies an opponent's position to make it easier to refute?
Which fallacy occurs when someone oversimplifies an opponent's position to make it easier to refute?
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What distinguishes perfect duties from imperfect duties in Kantian ethics?
What distinguishes perfect duties from imperfect duties in Kantian ethics?
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What principle of ethics focuses on the welfare of others over personal gain?
What principle of ethics focuses on the welfare of others over personal gain?
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Which claim designates how things should be judged or evaluated?
Which claim designates how things should be judged or evaluated?
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What does the term 'informal fallacy' refer to?
What does the term 'informal fallacy' refer to?
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Which version of Kant's Categorical Imperative states that we should act only according to that maxim which we can will to become a universal law?
Which version of Kant's Categorical Imperative states that we should act only according to that maxim which we can will to become a universal law?
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In the context of utilitarianism, what is expected utility?
In the context of utilitarianism, what is expected utility?
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Which type of argument is defined as having all true premises and a true conclusion?
Which type of argument is defined as having all true premises and a true conclusion?
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What is a common misconception about the appeal to authority fallacy?
What is a common misconception about the appeal to authority fallacy?
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What is a common objection to speciesism?
What is a common objection to speciesism?
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What type of error occurs when two events are mistakenly believed to be causally related simply because one follows the other?
What type of error occurs when two events are mistakenly believed to be causally related simply because one follows the other?
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What is meant by instrumental value?
What is meant by instrumental value?
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How does eudaimonia relate to personal development?
How does eudaimonia relate to personal development?
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Which concept emphasizes moderation between extremes?
Which concept emphasizes moderation between extremes?
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What does the golden rule promote when faced with danger?
What does the golden rule promote when faced with danger?
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In the context of act utilitarianism, what factors are considered when deciding whether to give away money?
In the context of act utilitarianism, what factors are considered when deciding whether to give away money?
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What characterizes prescriptive claims?
What characterizes prescriptive claims?
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What is the primary focus of intrinsic value?
What is the primary focus of intrinsic value?
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What is a common misconception about moderation as per Aristotle's philosophy?
What is a common misconception about moderation as per Aristotle's philosophy?
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What aspect of life does eudaimonia mainly emphasize?
What aspect of life does eudaimonia mainly emphasize?
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Which of the following best describes a moral claim?
Which of the following best describes a moral claim?
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Study Notes
Valid Arguments
- A valid argument is where if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true.
- Example: Premise 1: All humans are immortal. Premise 2: Socrates is a human. Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is immortal.
Sound Arguments
- Sound arguments are arguments that are valid and have true premises, leading to a true conclusion.
- Example: Premise 1: All birds have feathers. Premise 2: Penguins are birds. Conclusion: Therefore, penguins have feathers.
Formal Fallacies
- Errors in reasoning where the conclusion does not logically follow from the premises due to a flaw in the reasoning.
- Affirming the Consequent: If it is raining, the ground is wet. The ground is wet. Therefore, it must be raining. (The ground could be wet for other reasons.)
- Denying the Antecedent: If it is raining, the ground is wet. It is not raining. Therefore, the ground is not wet. (The ground could still be wet for other reasons.)
- False Dilemma: You are either with us or against us. You are not with us. Therefore, you must be against us. (There are other options, it's a forced black and white choice.)
Informal Fallacies
- Errors in reasoning due to factors such as assumptions, misinterpretations, and irrelevance.
- Ad Hominem: Attacking the person making the argument rather than the argument itself.
- Straw Man: Oversimplifying someone's argument to make it easier to attack.
- Appeal to Authority: Using someone's opinion as evidence, even if they are not an expert on the topic.
- False Cause: Assuming that one event caused another simply because they occurred in sequence.
- Appeal to Emotion: Using emotions instead of logic to persuade.
- Gaslighting: Manipulating someone into doubting their own sanity.
Descriptive Claims
- Statements that describe what things are, were, or will be without expressing opinions, values, or prescriptions.
Normative Claims
- Express judgments, opinions, or values about how things should be, rather than how they are.
- Moral Claims: Judgements about right/wrong, good/bad, just/unjust.
- Prescriptive Claims: State what people should or should not do.
- Legal/Institutional Claims: Express what should be the case according to laws.
Instrumental Value
- Something is considered valuable because it leads to outcomes that fulfill deeper intrinsic values.
- Examples: Education helps to have a better career; money helps with financial security; health enables a healthy and fulfilled life.
Intrinsic Value
- Something is considered worthwhile or meaningful in and of itself.
- Examples: Love brings emotional value, not materialistic gain.
Eudaimonia
- Greek word for flourishing and living a good life.
- It refers to realizing one's personal excellence, fulfilling one's potential.
- According to Aristotle: The ultimate goal of human life.
- Example: Contributing to someone else's well-being.
Aristotle's Golden Mean
- Emphasizes moderation in life.
- It lies between two extremes: excess and deficiency.
- Deficiency: Avoiding action due to uncertainty or fear.
- Excess: Acting recklessly without thinking of consequences.
- Golden Mean: Facing danger or difficulty with reasoned bravery and precaution.
Act Utilitarianism
- Determines the right action based on the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people in the specific situation.
- Example: You have $100. Act utilitarianism would weigh the happiness of donating it to charity against keeping it for yourself.
Rule Utilitarianism
- Judges actions based on whether following a specific rule would generally lead to the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
Expected Utility
- The expected value of an outcome, considering its probability and its utility.
Actual Utility
- The real benefit or happiness derived from an outcome.
Paternalism
- The interference of a state or individual with another person's freedom, justified on the grounds that it is done to benefit the person.
- Hard Paternalism: Interference with the freedom of a competent person.
- Soft Paternalism: Interference with the freedom of an incompetent person.
Self-Regarding Actions
Actions that affect only the individual performing them.
Other-Regarding Actions
Actions that affect others besides the individual performing them.
Mill's Harm Principle
- The only justification for interfering with someone's freedom is to prevent harm to others.
Bentham's Principle of Utility
- Actions are right as long as they promote happiness, and wrong as long as they promote unhappiness.
Singer's Principle of Equality
- All beings with equal capacity for suffering have equal interests, and thus deserving equal moral consideration.
Moral Agent
- An entity capable of moral action and understanding moral concepts.
Moral Patient
- An entity deserving moral consideration, even if it can't act morally.
Sentience
- The ability to experience subjective feelings, including pain and pleasure.
Speciesism
- Prejudice or discrimination against members of other species.
Different Sources of Duties (Obligations)
- Moral duties: Obligations based on moral principles or values.
- Legal duties: Obligations based on law.
- Social duties: Obligations based on social norms or customs.
- Contractual duties: Obligations arising from agreements.
Principle of Non-Maleficence
- The obligation to avoid causing harm to others.
Principle of Beneficence
- The obligation to act in the best interests of others.
Principle of Fidelity
- The obligation to keep promises.
Principle of Confidentiality
- The obligation to keep information private and not share it without consent.
Negative Rights
- Rights that protect us from interference by others.
Positive Rights
- Rights that require others to act in certain ways to help us.
Autonomy According to Kant
- The ability to act freely and rationally, based on our own judgment and principles.
Heteronomy According to Kant
- Acting based on external forces or influences, without any independent judgment or choice.
Respect According to Kant
- Treating individuals as ends in themselves, rather than merely as means to some other end.
Perfect Duty
- A duty that we are always obliged to fulfill, without exception.
Imperfect Duty
- A duty that we are obliged to fulfill, but not always in the same way or at all times.
Valid Arguments
- A valid argument is one where if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true.
- The premises can be false, even if the argument is valid.
- Example:
- Premise 1: All humans are immortal.
- Premise 2: Socrates is a human.
- Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is immortal.
- This argument is valid because if the premises were true, the conclusion would also be true.
- Valid arguments can be used in debates to strengthen your position and challenge opposing arguments.
Sound Arguments
- A sound argument is one that is both valid and has all true premises.
- If an argument is sound, the conclusion is guaranteed to be true.
- Example:
- Premise 1: All birds have feathers.
- Premise 2: Penguins are birds.
- Conclusion: Therefore, penguins have feathers.
- This argument is sound because both premises are true and the conclusion logically follows from the premises.
- Sound arguments are important when trying to establish a conclusion that is reliably true based on facts.
Formal Fallacies
- Formal fallacies are errors in reasoning that occur when the conclusion does not logically follow from the premises due to a flaw in the structure of the argument.
- Examples:
- Affirming the consequent: If it is raining, then the ground is wet. The ground is wet, so it must be raining. (This is fallacious because the ground could be wet for other reasons, such as a sprinkler.)
- Denying the antecedent: If it is raining, then the ground is wet. It is not raining, so the ground is not wet. (This is fallacious because the ground could still be wet for other reasons, such as a sprinkler.)
- False dilemma: You're either with us or against us. You're not with us, so you must be against us. (This is fallacious because it ignores other options and forces a black and white choice.)
Informal Fallacies
- Informal fallacies also involve errors in reasoning, but they are not due to the formal structure of the argument. Instead, they arise from faulty assumptions, misinterpretations, irrelevance, and other errors.
- Examples:
- Ad hominem: Attacking the person making the argument instead of the argument itself.
- Straw man: Misrepresenting someone's argument to make it easier to attack.
- Appeal to authority: Using the opinion of an authority figure as evidence for an argument, even if they are not an expert on the topic.
- False cause: Assuming that because one event follows another, the first event caused the second.
- Appeal to emotion: Using emotion instead of logic to persuade someone.
Descriptive Claims
- Descriptive claims are statements that describe what things are, were, or will be without expressing opinions, values, or prescriptions.
- Examples: "The sky is blue," "The Earth is a planet," "The sun will rise tomorrow."
Normative Claims
- Normative claims express judgments, opinions, or values about how things should be, rather than describing how things are.
- Example: "People should always tell the truth."
- Types of Normative Claims:
- Moral claims: Judgements about what is right or wrong, good or bad, just or unjust.
- Prescriptive claims: Statements about what people should or should not do.
- Legal/Institutional claims: Statements about what should be the case according to laws or institutions.
Instrumental Value
- Instrumental value refers to something that is considered valuable because it leads to outcomes that fulfill deeper intrinsic values or helps achieve other goals.
- Examples:
- Education is valuable because it can lead to a better career.
- Money is valuable because it can provide financial security.
- Health is valuable because it enables us to live a healthy and fulfilled life.
Intrinsic Value
- Intrinsic value refers to something that is considered worthwhile or meaningful in and of itself, independent of any other value it may have. Something that means a lot to yourself.
- Examples:
- Love brings emotional value, not just materialistic value.
- Friendship is valuable in itself.
Eudaimonia
- Eudaimonia is a Greek word that means "flourishing" or "living a good life."
- Aristotle believed eudaimonia to be the ultimate goal of human life.
- It refers to realizing one's personal excellence and fulfilling one's potential.
- Examples:
- Contributing to the well-being of others.
- Developing one's talents and abilities.
- Living a virtuous life.
Aristotle's Golden Mean
- Aristotle emphasizes moderation in life.
- The Golden Mean lies between two extremes: excess and deficiency.
- Example:
- Deficiency: Avoiding action due to uncertainty or fear.
- Excess: Acting recklessly without thinking of consequences.
- Golden Mean: Facing danger or difficulty with reasoned bravery and precaution.
Act Utilitarianism
- Act utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that says an action is right if it produces the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people.
- It focuses on the consequences of individual actions, rather than on following rules.
- Example: If you have the option to give 100tocharityorkeepitforyourself,actutilitarianismwouldmakeyouthinkabouthowmuchthat100 to charity or keep it for yourself, act utilitarianism would make you think about how much that 100tocharityorkeepitforyourself,actutilitarianismwouldmakeyouthinkabouthowmuchthat100 would help someone in need.
- It would weigh the potential happiness of the recipient against your own happiness from keeping the money.
Rule Utilitarianism
- Rule utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that says an action is right if it conforms to a rule that, if followed by everyone, would produce the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people.
- It focuses on establishing general rules that will lead to the best outcomes, rather than assessing the consequences of each individual action.
- Example: A rule utilitarian might argue that it is always wrong to steal, even if stealing a loaf of bread to feed your starving family would maximize happiness in that particular instance.
Expected Utility & Actual Utility
- Expected utility is the expected value of an action, weighted by its probability of occurrence.
- Actual utility is the actual value of an action, after it has occurred.
- Example:
- If you are considering investing in the stock market, the expected utility of the investment is the return you expect to earn, based on historical data.
- The actual utility of the investment is the return you actually earn, which may be higher or lower than you expected.
Paternalism
- Paternalism is a form of interference with someone's autonomy, with the aim of protecting them from harm.
- There are two main types:
- Hard paternalism: This is when someone's autonomy is restricted even if they are capable of making their own choices. Example: Making laws that prohibit smoking or drug use.
- Soft paternalism: This is when someone's autonomy is restricted only if they are demonstrably irrational or incompetent. Example: Restricting access to dangerous substances for people who are known to be addicted to them.
Self-Regarding Actions & Other-Regarding Actions
- Self-regarding actions are actions that affect only the person performing them.
- Other-regarding actions are actions that affect other people.
Mill's Harm Principle
- John Stuart Mill's Harm Principle states that the only legitimate reason to interfere with someone's liberty is to prevent harm to others.
- It is a principle of individual liberty and it is often used to justify limits on freedom of speech.
Bentham's Principle of Utility
- Jeremy Bentham's Principle of Utility states that actions are right if they tend to promote happiness and wrong if they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.
- This is the foundation of utilitarianism.
Singer's Principle of Equality
- Peter Singer's Principle of Equality states that we should treat all sentient beings equally, regardless of their species.
- This means giving equal consideration to the interests of all beings capable of suffering.
Moral Agent & Moral Patient
- A moral agent is an individual who is capable of acting morally and being held responsible for their actions.
- A moral patient is an individual who is deserving of moral concern and whose interests must be taken into account in moral decision-making.
- Different moral philosophies may have different criteria for what constitutes a moral agent and a moral patient.
Sentience
- Sentience is the ability to experience feelings and sensations.
- It is a key concept in debates about animal rights and the ethics of treating non-human animals.
Speciesism
- Speciesism is the prejudice or discrimination against non-human animals based solely on their species.
- It is often seen as a form of discrimination similar to racism or sexism.
Sources of Duties (Obligations)
- Duties are moral obligations that we have to others.
- There are many sources of duties, including:
- Promises: We have a duty to keep our promises.
- Laws: We have a duty to obey the law.
- Professional codes: We have a duty to uphold the standards of our profession.
- Moral principles: We have a duty to act in accordance with universal moral principles, such as honesty, justice, and compassion.
Principles of Morality
- Principle of non-maleficence: Do no harm. This principle requires us to avoid causing harm to others.
- Principle of beneficence: Do good. This principle requires us to act in ways that benefit others.
- Principle of fidelity: Keep your promises. This principle requires us to be faithful to our commitments and keep our word.
- Principle of confidentiality: Respect the privacy of others. This principle requires us to protect the confidential information of others.
Negative & Positive Rights
- Negative rights are rights that protect us from interference from others. Example: The right to freedom of speech.
- Positive rights are rights that require others to provide us with something. Example: The right to education.
Kant's Autonomy, Heteronomy, and Respect
- Autonomy is the ability to make one's own choices independently of external influences.
- Heteronomy is the state of being governed by external forces.
- Respect according to Kant is treating people as ends in themselves, rather than as means to an end. This means recognizing their inherent worth and dignity.
Perfect & Imperfect Duties
- Perfect duties are duties that we are always obligated to fulfill .
- Imperfect duties are duties that we are obligated to fulfill as often as possible.
- Example:
- A perfect duty is to not lie.
- An imperfect duty is to give to charity.
Divine Command Theory
- The Divine Command Theory states that an action is right if and only if God commands it.
-
Two possible interpretations:
- God's commands are arbitrary: God commands things simply because he wants to, and he is not obligated to follow any higher moral laws.
- God commands based on his moral perfection: God commands things because they are inherently good and just, and he is obligated to promote those things.
-
Problem:
- If God's commands are arbitrary, then morality is based on an arbitrary whim, and there is no objective reason to follow God's commands.
- If God commands because things are inherently good, this suggests that there is a standard of morality independent of God's commands, and that God is merely reflecting that standard.
Theory of Natural Law
- Theory of Natural Law states that there are objective moral laws that are embedded in nature or human reason, independent of any particular religious or cultural beliefs.
- These laws are discoverable through human reason and are binding on all people.
- Examples:
- The law of self-preservation.
- The prohibition against murder.
- The duty to promote justice and fairness.
Ethical Egoism
- Ethical egoism is a moral philosophy that says an action is right if and only if it is in the self-interest of the person performing the action.
- It is the view that individuals should always act in ways that promote their own happiness or well-being.
Ethical Altruism
- Ethical altruism is a moral philosophy that says an action is right if and only if it benefits others, even if it does not benefit the person performing the action.
- It is the view that individuals should always act in ways that promote the happiness or well-being of others.
Utilitarianism (Act & Rule)
- Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that says an act's morality is determined by its utility.
- Act Utilitarianism: An action is good if it maximizes the utility of the consequences. The actions themselves are not intrinsically good or bad.
- Rule Utilitarianism: An action is good if it follows a rule that is utilitarian when everyone follows it.
- What is good?: Happiness/well-being/welfare
- What is right?: The action that maximizes happiness for the greatest number of people.
Kant's Deontology
- Kant's Deontology states that the morality of an action is determined by the intention behind it, not the consequences.
- What is good?: Acting in accordance with reason and universal moral principles.
- What is right?: An action is right if it is done out of duty for the sake of moral law, and not out of self-interest or inclination.
Explain:
-
The two possible interpretations of the Divine Command Theory and the problem with each interpretation:
- God's commands are arbitrary: This interpretation leads to a problem because it suggests that morality is simply based on God's whim, and there is no objective reason to follow his commands.
- God commands based on his moral perfection: This leads to a problem because it suggests that there is a standard of morality independent of God's commands.
-
The three essential components of utilitarianism and three significant critiques of act utilitarianism:
- The three essential components of utilitarianism are:
- Consequentialism: The morality of an action is judged by its consequences.
- Welfarism: The consequences are assessed in terms of overall happiness, well-being, or welfare.
- Impartiality: Everyone's happiness is given equal weight.
- Three significant critiques of act utilitarianism are:
- It is difficult to measure happiness and well-being.
- It can lead to unjust outcomes in individual cases.
- It can be difficult to know the consequences of an action in advance.
- The three essential components of utilitarianism are:
-
Singer's view on our obligations to those living in extreme poverty and his argument:
- Peter Singer argues that we have a moral obligation to help those living in extreme poverty, even if doing so requires significant sacrifices on our part.
- He argues that if we can prevent suffering without sacrificing something of comparable moral significance, we should do so.
- He uses the analogy of a child drowning in a pond to illustrate this point.
-
Both versions of the Categorical Imperative and how to apply them:
- The Categorical Imperative is Kant's fundamental principle of morality.
- There are two versions:
- The Formula of Universal Law: Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.
- The Formula of the End in Itself: Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means.
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Why deception is forbidden in Kantian ethics; why coercion is forbidden in Kantian ethics:
- Deception is forbidden in Kantian ethics because it violates the categorical imperative.
- Deceiving someone means using them as a means to your own ends, which violates the principle of treating people as ends in themselves.
- Coercion is forbidden for the same reason; it violates the categorical imperative by using someone as a means to your own ends.
- It violates their autonomy and their right to make their own choices.
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Test your understanding of valid arguments, sound arguments, and formal fallacies. This quiz includes examples and definitions to help you distinguish between different types of reasoning errors. Challenge yourself and improve your critical thinking skills!