Philosophy of Ethics and the Golden Rule

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Questions and Answers

What does cultural relativism primarily highlight?

The absolute nature of moral values

The universal applicability of the golden rule

The differing moral beliefs held by various cultures (correct)

Consistency in moral rules across different cultures

Which philosopher's formulation of the golden rule implies harm-minimization?

Thales

Buddha (correct)

Confucius

Kant

What is the main distinction between the positive and negative variants of the golden rule?

One focuses on welfare maximization while the other focuses on harm avoidance (correct)

They originated from different philosophical traditions

One is more widely accepted than the other

They differ in their universal applicability

Which statement best summarizes the disagreement regarding the golden rule?

Its significance as a meta rule is debated Signup and view all the answers

What commonality exists among various moral systems regarding the golden rule?

They generally include some version of the golden rule Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best captures the essence of the golden rule?

Individuals should treat others as they wish to be treated Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, which philosopher associated with the golden rule emphasizes the concept of a universal law?

Kant Signup and view all the answers

What implication does the golden rule have regarding moral judgment according to Kelsen?

It suggests moral values are inherently relative Signup and view all the answers

What does Moore argue about the concept of goodness?

Goodness is a simple concept that resists further definition. Signup and view all the answers

How does Moore illustrate the difficulty in defining goodness?

By using the colour yellow as an analogy. Signup and view all the answers

What is a tautology, according to the content provided?

A statement that repeats the same idea in different words. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Moore believe one cannot adequately define the colour yellow?

Scientific explanations fail to convey subjective experience. Signup and view all the answers

What is intuitionism in the context of Moore's ethical theory?

The idea that goodness is recognized through direct experience. Signup and view all the answers

What analogy is used to express the limitations of defining subjective experiences?

Describing yellow in terms of mixtures and wavelengths. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about goodness is NOT consistent with Moore's argument?

Goodness can be defined through emotional states. Signup and view all the answers

What point does Moore make regarding someone who has never seen yellow?

They cannot fully grasp the concept without direct experience. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a proposition as factually significant according to the content?

It can be verified through observable experience. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main implication of logical positivism regarding ethics and religion?

They are fundamentally meaningless. Signup and view all the answers

According to Rudolf Carnap, what does the word 'God' refer to?

Something beyond empirical experience. Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion does A.J. Ayer draw regarding the existence of God?

It is meaningless to assert that there is a God. Signup and view all the answers

What does Ayer suggest about moral statements like 'X is morally wrong'?

They are not subject to proof of truth or falsity. Signup and view all the answers

What does Ayer’s argument illustrate about metaphysical utterances?

They cannot possess literal significance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first premise (P1) of Ayer's argument regarding the existence of God?

It is meaningless to assert ‘There is a God’ without verification. Signup and view all the answers

How does the content describe the method to verify the truth of a proposition?

By conducting empirical observations. Signup and view all the answers

What does Hobbes believe is the result of living in a state of nature?

A war of all against all Signup and view all the answers

What motivates individuals to form a social contract according to Hobbes?

Self-interest Signup and view all the answers

What do individuals agree to in a social contract as proposed by Hobbes?

To surrender certain freedoms for protection Signup and view all the answers

According to Hobbes, why is there a need for enforcement in the social contract?

To ensure compliance and avoid violation Signup and view all the answers

What moral principles does Hobbes advance to address natural competition and distrust?

To keep contracts, show gratitude, and refrain from retributive punishment Signup and view all the answers

What is the essence of Hobbes' argument regarding human nature?

Humans seek to preserve their lives and avoid harm Signup and view all the answers

What consequence does Hobbes see in the absence of a common power?

A state of potential conflict and insecurity Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher is mentioned as advancing similar arguments to Hobbes?

Bernard de Mandeville Signup and view all the answers

What does Hume suggest is the relationship between beauty and the mind?

Beauty exists only within the experience of the observer's mind. Signup and view all the answers

According to Hume, how are moral judgments determined?

Based on personal sentiment and emotional reactions. Signup and view all the answers

What does Hume imply about the qualities of a circle in relation to beauty?

The beauty of a circle is experienced through emotional sentiment. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of human feelings does Hume express skepticism about?

Humans feel a general love for mankind, independent of personal relationships. Signup and view all the answers

How does Hume differentiate between vice and virtue?

They are projections of human emotions and sentiments. Signup and view all the answers

What is implied by Hume's statement that beauty cannot be sought through senses or mathematical reasoning?

Beauty is a subjective experience rather than an objective fact. Signup and view all the answers

What reasoning does Hume give for the emotional basis of moral judgments?

They reflect individual sentiments and feelings towards actions. Signup and view all the answers

What concept does Hume challenge regarding the perception of beauty?

Beauty is a product of individual context and emotion. Signup and view all the answers

What does the open-question argument imply about defining the term 'good'?

It suggests that 'good' cannot be fully defined by naturalistic terms. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a barren tautology?

It contains empty content that adds no new insights. Signup and view all the answers

According to Moore, what happens if 'good' is equated to 'X'?

It implies 'X is good' would be a barren tautology. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'good' failing to be identical to any natural property indicate?

That moral definitions are inherently complex. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Moore argue that the statement 'good is pleasure' cannot be a barren tautology?

It has the capacity to motivate behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does defining 'good' in terms of pleasure leave open?

Room for philosophical exploration. Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome if 'X is good' does not motivate action?

It suggests that 'good' cannot be equivalent to 'X'. Signup and view all the answers

What does the open-question argument highlight about moral definitions?

They often invite further inquiries. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Jurisprudence - Introduction to Metaethics (II) - Supplementary Notes

G.E. Moore's work significantly influenced metaethics, particularly his analysis of 'goodness' using open and closed questions.
A closed question admits no further meaningful questioning because the answer is implicit in the definition. Examples include "Is a triangle a three-sided polygon?" and "Is a bachelor an unmarried man?"
An open question, such as "What is good?", can be questioned even if the terms used are understood, because the answer may not be immediately apparent from the definition.
Moore argued that "good" is indefinable, meaning it cannot be equated with any natural property like pleasure.
Moore's "open question argument" demonstrates that defining "good" in terms of natural properties always leads to further questions, proving it is not reducible to such properties.
Moral terms, like "good," cannot be reduced to natural properties.
The concept of "goodness" is indefinable.
A barren tautology is a statement that repeats the same idea in different words, offering no new information. "All bachelors are unmarried men" is an example.
Moral statements, like "X is morally wrong," are not verifiable in the same way as factual statements.
Logical Positivism, championed by the Vienna Circle, posits that meaningfulness comes from verifiability. A meaningful sentence can be proven true or false through observation.
The verification principle argues that statements about ethics, religion, aesthetics, or anything beyond empirical observation are meaningless. Statements about God or moral judgments lack meaning because they cannot be verified.
Hume's views on morality suggest it is based on emotion rather than reason. Beauty, vice and virtue have no objective existence but are felt sensations.
Hobbes' ethical egoism argues that moral judgements depend on self-interest.
In the state of nature, without rules, humans act first and foremost in their self-interest.
Morality can therefore be derived from the need of humans to have a society and survive.
Cultural relativism implies that moral codes are relative to the culture in which they are formed (no universal truths).

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts in the philosophy of ethics, notably cultural relativism and the golden rule. It includes questions on influential philosophers and their contributions to moral theory, especially the challenges of defining concepts like goodness. Test your understanding of these philosophical ideas and their implications for moral judgment.