Normative and Metaethical Theories Quiz

Normative Ethics

• Be able to explain and compare and contrast Act Utilitarianism, Absolute Deontology, Moderate Deontology, Kant's formulations of the Categorical Imperative, Moral Monism, Ross' Moral Pluralism, and Virtue Ethics.
• Understand the Theory of the Good and the Role of Distribution, including Weighted Beneficence, Egalitarianism, and Welfarism.

Metaethical Theories

• Be prepared to explain Error Theory, Emotivism, Social Contract Theory, and Divine Command Theory.

Moral Psychology

• Understand Post-hoc Rationalization.

Normative Theories, Arguments, Distinctions and Principles

• Be able to explain the Doctrine of Double Effect.
• Know at least one utilitarian response to the charge that it is too demanding.
• Understand the three major theories of welfare and how they differ.
• Be familiar with William's Integrity Objection to Consequentialism.
• Compare and contrast Positive and Negative Duties.
• Explain why situationism causes problems for virtue ethics.
• Explain Kant's rejection of the Golden Rule.
• Understand Prima Facie and Proper Duties.
• Be familiar with Eudemonia.

Metaethical Arguments and Distinctions

• Explain the Open Question Argument and why it is a problem for Analytic Naturalism.
• Understand how Synthetic Naturalists respond to the Open Question Argument.
• Be familiar with the Analytic/Synthetic Distinction.
• Understand Who Counts and How.

The Non-Identity Problem

• Recognize how the Non-Identity Problem creates conceptual problems for those who believe we have a moral obligation to future people.
• Understand the concept of Marginal Cases.
• Explain how Fred's actions (eating factory-farmed meat) illustrate a morally wrong choice.
• Understand the Causal Impotence objection to meat-eating.
• Compare and contrast Moral Patients and Moral Agents.

Test your understanding of various normative ethical theories, including Act Utilitarianism and Deontology, alongside metaethical theories like Emotivism and Social Contract Theory. Additionally, explore moral psychology with concepts like Post-hoc Rationalization and understand key arguments such as the Doctrine of Double Effect. This comprehensive quiz will challenge your grasp of moral principles and their applications.