Origins of Ethics According to Fr. Austin Fagothey
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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of ethics?

  • Theoretical examination of economics
  • Analysis of plant behavior
  • Exploration of physical sciences
  • Right and wrong in human conduct (correct)

    • Which of the ethical theories discussed focuses on maximizing individual happiness?

  • Relativism
  • Egoism (correct)
  • Human nature
  • Deontology

    • What does consequentialism theory evaluate to determine if an action is good or bad?

  • The emotional impact of the action
  • The consequences or results of the action (correct)
  • The theoretical nature of the action
  • The societal norms related to the action

    • Which ancient civilization is associated with the ethical theory of Osiris?

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

    What distinguishes ethical egoism from psychological egoism?

    <p>How people should behave vs. how they actually behave</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ethical theory prioritizes the interests and happiness of a group over an individual?

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

    What is the central focus of deontological reasoning?

    <p>The will of the action</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes act utilitarianism from rule utilitarianism?

    <p>Whether consequences are considered before or after an action</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In altruism, when is an action considered right?

    <p>When the consequences are favorable to all except the actor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Carl Jung's concept of 'the shadow' primarily involve?

    <p>Becoming conscious of one's dark personality traits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key distinction between killing and letting die in ethical dilemmas like the trolley problem?

    <p>Killing is active while letting die is passive</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes deontology from utilitarianism in ethical theories?

    <p>The focus on duty over consequences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does rule utilitarianism differ from act utilitarianism in decision-making processes?

    <p>'Rule' utilitarianism places importance on following specific guidelines</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main factor that influences decision-making in the footbridge scenario of the trolley problem?

    <p>'Emotional reasoning and intentionality'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'The line dividing good and evil cuts through every human being' implies what concept about morality according to Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn?

    <p>'All individuals have capacity for both good and evil'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    'If we consider everyone has equal rights, then we would be doing something wrong in sacrificing one even if our intention was to save five.' - This statement best aligns with which ethical theory?

    <p>'Deontology'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Immanuel Kant's deontology, why might saving a drowning man present a moral dilemma?

    <p>Because the act of saving a life might not align with one's duty.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of Aristotle's philosophy, what does 'entelechy' refer to?

    <p>The condition of a subject whose essence is fully realized.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which anthropologists were primarily responsible for popularizing Moral Relativism?

    <p>Franz Boas and Ruth Benedict.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the central idea behind Ethical Hedonism?

    <p>Seeking pleasure is the moral good.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Hedonism differ from Aristotle and Plato's ethical theories?

    <p>Hedonism emphasizes personal pleasure over moral duties.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Deontology primarily focus on in ethical decision-making?

    <p>Duties and rules.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Relativism view universal moral norms?

    <p>It denies their existence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might a deontologist hesitate to save a drowning man despite the moral duty to help others?

    <p>'Thou shall not kill' principle conflicting with saving a life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the central idea behind Ethical Hedonism?

    <p>Seeking pleasure is the moral good.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Ethics Overview

    • The main focus of ethics is to examine moral principles and values that guide human behavior.

    Ethical Theories

    • The ethical theory that focuses on maximizing individual happiness is Ethical Hedonism.
    • Consequentialism evaluates an action's consequences to determine if it is good or bad.
    • Ethical Egoism prioritizes individual interests and happiness over others.
    • Altruism considers an action right if it benefits others, even if it sacrifices one's own happiness.

    Ancient Civilizations

    • The ancient Egyptian civilization is associated with the ethical theory of Osiris.

    Comparing Ethical Theories

    • Deontological reasoning focuses on moral rules and duties, rather than consequences.
    • Act Utilitarianism evaluates each action's consequences, whereas Rule Utilitarianism evaluates the consequences of a general rule.
    • Deontology differs from Utilitarianism in that it prioritizes moral rules over consequences.
    • Ethical Egoism is distinct from Psychological Egoism, which is a descriptive theory about human nature.

    Ethical Dilemmas

    • In the trolley problem, the key distinction between killing and letting die is the active role of the agent in causing harm.
    • The main factor influencing decision-making in the footbridge scenario is the moral duty to minimize harm.

    Philosophical Concepts

    • Carl Jung's concept of 'the shadow' primarily involves the repressed or hidden aspects of one's personality.
    • Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's quote implies that morality is a complex and multifaceted concept.
    • Immanuel Kant's deontology might consider saving a drowning man a moral dilemma because it involves prioritizing one's moral duty over personal inclination.

    Aristotle's Philosophy

    • Aristotle's concept of 'entelechy' refers to the potential for something to become what it is meant to be.

    Moral Relativism

    • Anthropologists such as Ruth Benedict and Franz Boas were primarily responsible for popularizing Moral Relativism.
    • Relativism views universal moral norms as culturally relative and subjective.

    Deontology

    • Deontology primarily focuses on moral rules and duties in ethical decision-making.
    • A deontologist might hesitate to save a drowning man despite the moral duty to help others because it involves weighing competing moral rules.

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    Description

    Explore the origins of ethics as traced by Fr. Austin Fagothey in his book 'Right and Reason', where he discusses how the Greeks' curiosity about human life and society led to the examination of human conduct. Ethics is defined as the study of right and wrong in human behavior, and is considered a theoretical examination of morality.

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