Ch. 12

Question 0

what is the core understanding of a naturalistic view of ethics

Answer 0

a rejection of the possibility of having an absolute standard by which to judge right and wrong

Question 1

definition of ethics

Answer 1

field of study that deals with discovering what is morally right and wrong

Question 2

what is the position of utilitarianism

Answer 2

an action is not good in and of itself; it’s good only if there are beneficial results from the act

Question 3

2 proponents of utilitarianism

Answer 3

jeremy bentham: pleasures are all equal

john stuart mill: intellectual and sophisticated pleasures are ranked higher than fleshly pleasures

Question 4

what is ethical relativism?

Answer 4

each person must determine their own ethics of right and wrong

Question 5

who is a proponent of ethical relativism

Answer 5

jean-paul sartre

Question 6

what is conventionalism?

Answer 6

right and wrong are determined by the culture in which a person lives

Question 7

what’s another name for conventionalism

Answer 7

cultural relativism

Question 8

what is the definition of a theistic view of ethics?

Answer 8

an ethic of absolute truth that flows from a morally perfect God, who is the foundation of ethics

Question 9

what is absolutism?

Answer 9

there are absolute laws that should never be broken in any situation

Question 10

who is a proponent of absolutism

Answer 10

saint augustine

Question 11

what is conflicting absolutism?

Answer 11

argues that in conflicting situations the application of absolute law should lead to the choice of “the lesser of two evils”

Question 12

what verse supports conflicting absolutism

Answer 12

matthew 5:22

Question 13

what is graded absolutism?

Answer 13

argues that in conflicting situations the application of the absolute law should lead to the choice of choosing the greater good

Question 14

what verse supports graded absolutism

Answer 14

ezra 10 - rahab’s choice

Question 15

how does hardy compare the ethical views with the difference theories of truth?

Answer 15

utilitarianism resembles pragmatism; ethical relativism resembles the subjective theory of truth; and conventionalism is a result of the coherence theory of truth. none of these affirm the absolute theory of truth

Question 16

according to schaeffer, what is the problem with being finite

Answer 16

there’s no sufficient point of integration in himself

Question 17

who does he quote?

Answer 17

jean-paul sarte

Question 18

if there is an impersonal being, what are the two consequences?

Answer 18

1. morals disappear

2. there’s no ultimate fulfillment in the universe

Question 19

what does schaeffer mean by his term “moral motions”

Answer 19

the sense that things are right and wrong

Question 20

what is the problem withhindu “paneverthingism”

Answer 20

nobility and cruelties are of equal value

Question 21

relativism is based on what kind of process?

Answer 21

a statistical process - majority rules

Question 22

2 important results if there is discontinuity

Answer 22

1. man is cruel w/o god being a bad god

2. there’s hope of a solution for this moral problem

Question 23

does lund believe that even a heinous act is by its very nature intrinsically wrong?

Answer 23

no, b/c value has no value apart from an evaluator

Question 24

values are contingent upon...

Answer 24

the existence of a conscious being w/ feelings, concerns, desires, and purposes

Question 25

what is required for there to be moral or immoral behavior?

Answer 25

a second individual with the properties of the first individual

Question 26

value subjectivism

Answer 26

a contribution of the subject of the experience not found in the object itself

Question 27

value objectivism

Answer 27

value statements do describe the objects to which they refer

Question 28

when does a personal value become an aspect of morality

Answer 28

when you apply your preferences as a standard to which others ought to follow

Question 29

how is utilitarianism defined?

Answer 29

the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people

Question 30

utilitarianism is what kind of theory

Answer 30

consequentialist theory

Question 31

how is kant's deontological theory defined?

Answer 31

the only thing that is good without qualification is a good will

Question 32

what are some glaring weaknesses of utilitarianism?

Answer 32

b/c it puts emphasis on the greatest good for the greatest number the liberty of the minority is sacrificed

Question 33

what is the summation of seeking to synthesize utilitarianism and deontological theory?

Answer 33

decisions of morality should be based on consequences

Question 34

what are 2 problems with accepting a society's moral norms

Answer 34

1. societies have engaged in practices that were morally wrong 2. by grounding morality in preference, there's not higher court of appeal

Question 35

what are some of the issues raised regarding the case that people should be moral?

Answer 35

1. by being moral people get something else they value 2. we should be moral out of love for God, not personal gain 3. morality doesn't necessarily mean it's in need of religion as a foundation 4. it enables us and others to be treated well

Question 36

is religion essential for the establishment of a foundation for morality?

Answer 36

no

Question 37

what's a substitute for god if morality has an alternative foundation?

Answer 37

other people

Question 38

what is stace's definition of relativism?

Answer 38

any ethical position which denies there's a single moral standard which is equally applicable to all people at all times

Question 39

what are 2 definitions regarding standards?

Answer 39

1. what people think is right | 2. what is right is distinct from what people think

Question 40

what is stace's view of the anthropological science in support of morality among various societies?

Answer 40

it has a psychological effect but doesn't add anything to the argument for ethical relativism

Question 41

does stace believe affirming the commands of god is an adequate foundation for absolute moral values?

Answer 41

no

Question 42

3 problems with ethical relativism

Answer 42

1. it renders meaningless all propositions which attempt to compare these standards with one another 2. it's not possible to compare individuals within the same moral code 3. no one person's moral opinion or even a majority view is an adequate standard for morality

Question 43

the morality trap

Answer 43

the belief you must obey a moral code created by someone else

Question 44

3 different kinds of morality

Answer 44

1. personal 2. universal 3. absolute

Question 45

personal morality

Answer 45

act in a way that brings the best consequences to you

Question 46

universal morality

Answer 46

a code of conduct to which an individual is supposed to bring happiness to everyone that uses it

Question 47

absolute morality

Answer 47

a set of rules to which an individual is expected to surrender his own happiness

Question 48

the unselfishness trap

Answer 48

the belief that you must put the happiness of others above your own

Question 49

morality must be situated where

Answer 49

in your own values

Question 50

4 reasons why maciver is so enthusiastic about the golden rule

Answer 50

1. only rule that stands by itself in light of its own reasoning in the face of warring systems 2. instead of attacking the will of others, it offers a new dimension 3. it goes deeper to show how morality establishes relationships with other people 4. it weakens those who use moral laws to inflict evil on other people

Question 51

what is the glaring weakness of the golden rule

Answer 51

doesn't solve the ethical problem but only offers another approach