PHIL 230 - Final Exam Review
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Questions and Answers

What does the Greater Moral Evil Rule (GME) state regarding the ownership of belongings?

  • One is permitted to keep belongings only if it involves no sacrifice of equal value. (correct)
  • One should surrender their belongings to prevent greater harm.
  • One can keep their belongings as long as there is no suffering involved.
  • One is allowed to keep their belongings without any moral restrictions.

    • Negative rights pertain to interference with the body and personal effects.

    True

    What are the two types of rights discussed in the content?

    Negative rights and Positive rights

    The industrious farmer deserves their surplus because of their _____.

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

    According to John Arthur, what is a morally significant factor that complicates obligations?

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

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Negative rights = Rights that require non-interference Positive rights = Rights to social goods like education Desert = Entitlement based on effort or merit Duty to help = Moral responsibility to assist others</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Moderate GME suggests it is wrong not to help others if it incurs substantial cost to oneself.

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

    What is an example of a moral dilemma presented in the content?

    <p>Saving a pregnant person's life at the cost of an unborn human</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What makes a good will good?

    <p>Conformity with moral law</p> Signup and view all the answers

    All imperatives are categorical imperatives.

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

    What are the three components included in a maxim?

    <p>Description of the physical act, description of circumstances, purpose or end of the action.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The moral law is the only ________ imperative.

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

    Match the following formulations with their descriptions:

    <p>Formula of Universal Law = Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. False promise = A thought experiment to evaluate the rationality of a proposed action's maxim.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement describes a hypothetical imperative?

    <p>It involves 'if/then' conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Maxims must always be consciously considered before acting.

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

    Explain the process to evaluate a maxim using the 'false promise' thought experiment.

    <ol> <li>Formulate the maxim for your proposed action. 2) Universalize it. 3) Consider its conceivability. 4) Determine if you can rationally will it to become a universal law.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

    What moral principle is established by the Trolley problem?

    <p>Duty to save the greatest number outweighs the duty not to kill.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the Footbridge case, George pushes a large man to save five people, which is deemed morally permissible.

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

    What is the 'future like ours' argument concerning the immorality of killing?

    <p>Depriving a being of the value of a future like ours makes killing wrong.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Don Marquis argues that it is __________ to take the life of a fetus because it deprives them of a future like ours.

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

    Match the cases with their moral implications:

    <p>Trolley Problem = Duty of least harm Footbridge Dilemma = Introduction of a new threat Health Pebble = No greater claim than others Future Like Ours Argument = Deprivation of future value</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes the Passenger case from the Footbridge case?

    <p>Footbridge case actively brings a new threat, whereas Passenger case redirects an existing threat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Pro-choice advocates argue that fetuses are persons and therefore abortion is always wrong.

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

    According to Marquis, why is it too broad to claim that fetuses are genetically human and abortion is wrong?

    <p>Because it would also imply that killing cancer cells is wrong.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Kant argue about using people as mere means?

    <p>It is always forbidden.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Kant believes that experience and observation are central to moral decision-making.

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

    What is the primary condition for treating someone as an end in themselves according to Kant?

    <p>Not using them as mere means and respecting them as rational persons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Kant's formula states we should 'act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether your own person or others, never merely as a means but always at the same time as an _____'.

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

    Match the following concepts with their definitions:

    <p>Humanity as a Means = Using individuals in such a way that they cannot consent. Humanity as an End = Respecting individuals as rational beings with their own goals. Rossian Pluralism = The idea that there can be multiple morally significant relationships. Murder at the Door Problem = The ethical dilemma of lying to save a life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which scenario illustrates using a person as mere means?

    <p>A nurse lying to a patient about their condition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Ross, breaking a promise is generally better than keeping it.

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

    What is meant by 'humanity in one’s own person' according to Kant?

    <p>The capacity to set and pursue ends.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Aristotle, what are virtues of character intended to help us achieve?

    <p>Engage in rational activity excellently</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Virtues are innate traits that one is born with.

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

    What three conditions must be met to acquire a virtue according to Aristotle?

    <p>Know that the act is virtuous, do the virtuous act because it is virtuous, develop a firm disposition to do virtuous acts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A virtue is a mean between two extremes of _____ and _____ .

    <p>excess, deficiency</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following virtues to their descriptions:

    <p>Courage = Acting bravely in the face of fear Justice = Treating others fairly Temperance = Moderating desires and impulses Honesty = Being truthful in words and actions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Hursthouse argue about virtue ethics (VE)?

    <p>VE can help define right actions in terms of virtue</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Hursthouse suggests that one can determine what a virtuous agent would do by consulting a list of virtues.

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

    Name at least three virtues listed by Hursthouse in normative virtue ethics.

    <p>Courage, honesty, justice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Hursthouse argue about cases involving apparent conflicts between virtues?

    <p>There is no genuine conflict between the virtues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to virtue ethics, if two fully virtuous agents perform opposing actions in the same circumstances, then one of those actions must be wrong.

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

    What are moral dilemmas defined as in the context of virtue ethics?

    <p>Cases in which there is no right action and all available actions seem wrong.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Hursthouse states that each option that a virtuous agent would choose is considered __________.

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

    What does virtue ethics imply about the existence of genuine moral dilemmas?

    <p>They show how and why conflicts can be real.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Hursthouse believes that knowledge of the right action in virtue ethics requires simple reasoning.

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

    In virtue ethical terms, what is implied about actions taken by fully virtuous agents in cases of genuine conflict?

    <p>Both actions are considered right.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    PHIL 230 - Final Exam Review

    • Exam structure includes 6 short answer questions (3-6 sentences each, 5 points) and 2 essay prompts (similar to paper assignments, but with less expectations)
    • Moral Relativism vs Moral Objectivism
      • Cultural relativism suggests moral truths are relative to cultures.
      • Subjective relativism proposes moral truths are relative to individuals.
      • Moral objectivism posits that some ethical truths are universal and objective (related to Enoch’s "Why I am an Objectivist and you are too".)
      • A sound argument needs true premises and a conclusion that logically follows those premises.
      • Moral relativism creates problematic implications: cultures are infallible, disagreements are unintelligible, and progress is impossible.
    • Our Obligations to Others
      • Peter Singer - Famine, Affluence, and Mortality: Arguments that affluence requires significant donations until the point of marginal utility.
      • Singer's argument does not address proximity to suffering or the number of others who could help.
      • John Arthur - World Hunger and Moral Obligation: The Case Against Singer: Posits that entitlements (rights and desert) are also morally significant factors, disputing Singer's argument.
      • Disagreement exists regarding the extent of moral obligations to assist those in need.
    • Moral Problems: Tradeoffs
      • Philipa Foot - The Problem of Abortion and the Doctrine of Double Effect: Explores the moral permissibility of actions with both good and bad consequences.
      • Doctrine of Double Effect (DDE): Explains when an action with foreseen bad consequences might be permissible, as long as the outcome is intended to be good, even with negative byproducts.
      • Foot argues against DDE, highlighting that the distinction between intended and foreseen consequences isn't always clear.
      • Judith Jarvis Thomson - Killing, Letting Die, and the Trolley Problem: Investigates moral dilemmas involving the choice between saving many lives and causing harm to one.
      • Thomson highlights the distinction between acts and omissions, arguing in some cases killing is permissible but in others it isn't.
    • Abortion
      • Don Marquis - Why Abortion is Immoral: Argues that abortion is morally wrong by using an argument of loss of a valuable future.
      • Judith Jarvis Thomson - A Defense of Abortion: Argues the right to one's own body can outweigh the right to life of a fetus in some circumstances.
    • Consequentialism
      • Jeremy Bentham - The Principle of Utility: Act's rightness/wrongness is dependent solely on outcomes (consequences).
      • Utilitarianism prioritizes actions that maximize overall well-being for everyone affected.
      • John Stuart Mill - In Defense of Utilitarianism and Robert Nozick - The Experience Machine: Utilitarianism struggles to explain how to measure the well-being of various options.
    • Difficulties with Consequentialism
      • Issues with demandingness and impartiality are addressed.
    • Kantian Ethics
      • Immanuel Kant - The Moral Law and Autonomy of the Will: Good will is supremely important to morality. The Categorical Imperative guides right actions.
    • Two Formulations:
      • Formula of Universal Law (FUL): An action is morally right only if one can will it to become a universal law.
      • Formula of Humanity: Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an end.
      • Onora O'Neill - Kant on Treating People as Ends in Themselves: Critiques Kant and addresses the practical limits of these formulations.
    • Rossian Pluralism
      • W.D. Ross - What Makes Right Acts Right?: Morality is complex, with multiple values that can conflict.
      • Recognizes prima facie duties (duties in specific circumstances) and the difficulties in determining overall obligations.
    • **Ethics of Care: **
      • Gilligan's approach: A different moral voice and the importance of interpersonal relations.
      • Prioritizes care, responsibility, and context.
      • Carol Gilligan: Focuses on the care perspective, emphasizing relationships and responsibilities.
      • Nel Noddings: Focuses on ethical caring and the emotional aspects of relationships in moral decision-making.
    • Natural Caring vs Ethical Caring: Distinction between naturally feeling concern for others versus feeling a moral duty to care for them.
    • Ubuntu Philosophy
      • Thaddeus Metz - Toward an African Moral Theory: Moral framework emphasizing interconnectedness and community.
    • Conflict Problems
      • Identifying genuine conflicts between the virtues and difficulties in deciding what constitutes the "right" course of action.
    • Virtue Ethics (VE)
      • Aristotle - Nichomachean Ethics (selections): Philosophical approach focusing on the development of virtuous character traits.
      • Right acts are performed by a virtuous person and are not just described in isolation; the virtuous person is essential to deciding what is right.
      • Rosalind Hursthouse: Focuses on practical applications of virtue ethics.

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    PHIL 230 Final Exam Review PDF Study Guide

    Description

    Prepare for your PHIL 230 final exam with a comprehensive review of key concepts such as moral relativism and moral objectivism. This quiz will explore significant philosophical arguments, including Peter Singer’s perspectives on affluence and our obligations to others. Brush up on essay structures and argument analysis to excel in your exam.

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