Philosophy Chapter 6 Quiz

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

_____ is an eighteenth-century English philosopher who argued that there is no logical way to get from knowing what is to knowing what ought to be.

David Hume

If morality were subjective and knowing what is could never lead to knowing what ought to be, which of the following expectations could arise? (Select all that apply)

  • The statements foolish or irresponsible people utter would be shallow and irrelevant to other people's lives. (correct)
  • People would universally agree on moral standards.
  • Only foolish or irresponsible people would say what other people should or should not do. (correct)
  • There's a definitive guide to morality for all situations.

What can be deduced about the concept of ought in ancient Chinese society from their moral prescriptions?

Ancient Chinese society had clear distinctions between good and bad actions.

The Declaration of Independence presents a lengthy list of 'Injuries and Usurpations' allegedly committed by _____ against the colonists.

<p>King George</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the scenario where a person considers hate crimes a moral outrage and favors punishing the perpetrators, what do they express?

<p>objective moral assessment</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did David Hume believe about the foundation of moral judgments?

<p>He believed that there was no foundation for making moral judgments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what point can one conclude that David Hume was mistaken about knowing what is and ought to be?

<p>When the statements made by people prove to be reasonable and relevant.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be deduced about the concept of ought in Hinduism from its moral prescriptions?

<p>Hinduism had clear distinctions between good and bad actions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The _____ begins with the moral judgments that 'all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.'

<p>United States Declaration of Independence</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the work by Aristotle in which Mortimer Adler found the solution to the problem of ought statements?

<p>Nicomachean Ethics</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario exemplifies an objective moral assessment?

<p>Tony learns that his girlfriend has been arrested for misappropriation of funds and believes that she should be held accountable for her action.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the principle of contradiction?

<p>An idea cannot be both true and false at the same time in the same way.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the principles with their appropriate functions in bridging the gap between is and ought:

<p>The principle of right desire = It provides a foundation for judgment. The principle of contradiction = It gives assurance that critical thinking is relevant to ethical controversies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to relativism, issues of right and wrong are _____?

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

What can be deduced about the concept of ought in ancient Chinese society from their moral prescriptions?

<p>Ancient Chinese society had clear distinctions between good and bad actions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the principle of conformity with right desire as stated by Aristotle.

<p>We ought to desire what is really good for us and nothing else.</p> Signup and view all the answers

_____ refer to the norms or principles that are true at all times and in all places and admit of no exceptions.

<p>Moral absolutes</p> Signup and view all the answers

True or false: Contradiction is always blatant.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the United States Declaration of Independence, how should people react when the government fails to secure their rights?

<p>People have the duty to overthrow the government.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Contradiction is always blatant.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of the principle of right desire and the principle of contradiction?

<p>They offer us confidence and engagement in ethical analysis and judgment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

______ is the view that no obvious moral standard is possible.

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

According to Mortimer Adler, why is it impossible to get from is to ought?

<p>Though the is sentences can be tested against reality, there is nothing to test the ought sentences against.</p> Signup and view all the answers

______ refer to the norms or principles that are true at all times and in all places and admit of no exceptions.

<p>Moral absolutes</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to relativism, issues of right and wrong are:

<p>subjective.</p> Signup and view all the answers

It is possible for a person to believe in moral absolutes and at the same time reject absolutism.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Hume's Guillotine

The idea that we cannot logically derive what should be (morals) from what is (facts).

Moral Subjectivism

The belief that moral judgments are subjective and depend on individual or cultural perspectives.

Moral Absolutes

Moral claims that are universally true and have no exceptions, regardless of context.

Moral Relativism

The idea that concepts of right and wrong are relative to individual or cultural beliefs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Principle of Contradiction

The principle stating that an idea cannot be both true and false simultaneously.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Principle of Right Desire

The idea that individuals should desire what is truly good for them and what promotes their flourishing.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Objective Moral Assessment

A type of moral assessment that involves making judgments based on objective standards, recognizing that some actions are clearly right or wrong.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Unalienable Rights

A set of core rights considered fundamental and inherent to all human beings.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Right to Revolution

The idea that when government fails to protect individual rights, citizens have the moral duty to overthrow it.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Is Statements

Statements about facts and reality that can be tested against evidence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ought Statements

Statements about values, morals, and what ought to be.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Is-Ought Problem

The inability to derive what ought to be from what is.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Do Not Do Unto Others

The ancient Chinese concept of the Golden Rule, emphasizing empathy and reciprocating kindness.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Never Strike a Woman

Traditional Hindu moral teachings promoting respect for women and nonviolence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Subtle Contradictions

A concept that challenges the idea that all contradictions are readily apparent.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Moral Absolutism, but Not Outright Absolutism

The belief that moral absolutes are true even though they are not always applied in a rigid or absolute manner.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Maintaining Moral Absolutes

The potential for a person to hold onto the belief that moral absolutes exist even in the face of relativism and subjectivity.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ethical Analysis

The process of examining ethical issues using logical reasoning and principles.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Confident Ethical Analysis

Reasoning that relies on the principles of contradiction and right desire to guide ethical analysis and judgements.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Expectation of Moral Consistency

The expectation that individuals who claim to be morally superior should act accordingly, with their actions reflecting their beliefs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Shallow and Irrelevant Moral Claims

The potential for individuals who claim to be morally superior to be perceived as shallow or irrelevant if their actions contradict their claims.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Moral Judgments

The use of moral principles and reasoning to assess and judge actions and behaviors.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Key Philosophers and Concepts

  • David Hume, an 18th-century philosopher, posited that knowledge of "what is" cannot logically lead to "what ought to be."
  • Hume suggested there is no foundation for making moral judgments, which has significant implications for ethical reasoning.

Subjectivity of Morality

  • If morality is subjective, expectations arise:
    • Only foolish or irresponsible individuals dictate what others should do.
    • Statements from such individuals are perceived as shallow and irrelevant.

Ancient Moral Prescriptions

  • Ancient Chinese society emphasized clear distinctions between good and bad actions, evident in sayings like "Never do to others what you would not like them to do."
  • In Hinduism, similar moral prescriptions, such as "One should never strike a woman," also demonstrate clear moral guidelines.

United States Declaration of Independence

  • Lists "Injuries and Usurpations" by King George against colonists.
  • Asserts that people are endowed with unalienable rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Moral Assessments

  • Objective moral assessments characterize reactions to profound moral issues; examples include condemning hate crimes as moral outrages.
  • A person believing in the accountability of their partner for wrongdoing exemplifies an objective moral assessment.

Rational Principles

  • The principle of contradiction asserts that an idea cannot be true and false at the same time.
  • The principle of right desire suggests individuals should desire that which is genuinely good for them.

Relativism and Moral Absolutes

  • Relativism argues that concepts of right and wrong are subjective, suggesting no universal moral standards.
  • Moral absolutes are norms deemed true under all circumstances and have no exceptions.

Ethical Analysis

  • Both the principle of right desire and the principle of contradiction contribute to confident ethical analysis and judgments.

Government and Rights

  • If the government fails to protect individual rights, citizens have a duty to overthrow it as per the principles laid out in the Declaration of Independence.

Understanding Contradictions

  • The assertion that contradictions are always blatant is false; contradictions can be subtle and complex.

Mortimer Adler's Contributions

  • Adler emphasized that "is" statements can be tested against reality, but no similar test exists for "ought" statements, making the transition from is to ought impossible.

Belief Systems

  • A person can maintain belief in moral absolutes while rejecting outright absolutism, illustrating the complexity of ethical perspectives.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser