ethics exam

Question 1

What is philosophy and its major branches?

Answer 1

(love of wisdom) “The investigation of ultimate questions and foundational principles in critical fields of thought.”

Metaphysics–study of reality
Epistemology–study of knowledge and belief
Logic–study of sound reasoning and argumentation
Ethics–study of right and wrong
Aesthetics–study of art and beauty

My Elephant Likes Eating Apples

Question 2

Ethics

Answer 2

using one’s mind, logic, and reasoning to assess something

Question 3

morals

Answer 3

mores-cuton/habit Lat.

Question 4

Amoral

Answer 4

relating to the person doing reflection-lacking or not having moral sense

Question 5

nonmoral

Answer 5

topic or issue outside the topic of morals or ethics

Question 6

values

Answer 6

sense of praise worthy ideals i.e. virtues

Question 7

obligations and norms

Answer 7

things we ought to do 9obligation), rules or guidelines for action (norms)

Question 8

motivations

Answer 8

internal basis for action, doing something

Question 9

goal

Answer 9

target or the purpose, end desire

Question 10

basic approaches to Ethics

Answer 10

Descriptive-discussing what people actually do
Prescriptive-what people should be doing
Meta-ethics–examines the foundational concepts and language

Question 11

axeology

Answer 11

study of values (aesthetics and ehtics are both under that umbrella)

Question 12

etiquette

Answer 12

social customs and manners

Question 13

religion

Answer 13

a system of beliefs resulting in a way of life and worship

Question 14

morality come from
OBJECTIVE

Answer 14

morality is embodied in the structure in nature and/or the nature of humans

Question 15

parts of objective

Answer 15

Natural Law Teheory-comes from God and is objectively shown thorugh nature and humans
Divine Command Theory-there are revealed norms from God through His words

Question 16

where does morality come from
SUBJECTIVE

Answer 16

morality is based on human perceptions

Question 17

parts of subjective

Answer 17

Individualism-morality is based upon personal interests-everybody has a different view
Humanitarianism-morality arises from social relationships, the networking of human needs and interests

Question 18

Nihillism

Answer 18

there are no moral values or norms. They simply do not exist

Lat. “nothing/none”

Question 19

individual relativism

Answer 19

the morality of a choice or act depends on one’s personal views and varies accordingly

Question 20

Cultural relativism

Answer 20

the morality of a choice or act depends on one’s society or culture and varies accordingly

Question 21

Moral absolutism

Answer 21

there are objective moral norms that are universally valid

Question 22

moral conflict

Answer 22

a tension in a fallen world between different norms and something that we did not foresee and is beyond our control

Question 23

non conflicting absolutism

Answer 23

if you really understood the context and the norms, there really is no true tension

Question 24

conflicting absolutism

Answer 24

there really are conflicting norms. So you need to keep the higher norm and are guilty of the lower norm

Question 25

Graded absolutism (hierarchicalism)

Answer 25

there are true tensions; you obey the higher norm; you’re exempt from the lower norm

Question 26

Consequentialism

Answer 26

the morality of a choice or action is based upon its results. Forms are utilitarianism and egoism

Question 27

Egoism

Answer 27

relates to the results for the individual making the ethical decisions

Question 28

Forms of egoism

Answer 28

Psychological Egoism (descriptive)–humans always act in their perceived self interest
Ethical Egoism (prescriptive)–everyone ought to act in his own self interest

Question 29

Hedonism

Answer 29

orientation towards pleasure/following your desires

Question 30

Utilitarianism

Answer 30

a form of consequentialism,–the greatest good for the greatest number of people

Question 31

forms of utilitarianism

Answer 31

Act Utillitarianism–everyone should perform that deed which brings about the greatest good for the greatest number of people
Rule Utilitarianism–Everyone should follow the principle that brings about the greatest good for the greatest number of people1

Question 32

Non-Consequentialism

Answer 32

the ethics or morality is not based on its results

Question 33

Intuitionism

Answer 33

The immediate grasping of self-evident ethical truth

Question 34

Deontological

Answer 34

Duty ethics
Categorical Imperative–only act on a rule you can will to be a universal law
Practical imperative–never use a human as a means to an end

Question 35

Duty Ethics

Answer 35

you need to do your duty no matter the consequences (Divine Command Theory and another is based on human reasoning coming up with the norms through logic and reasoning)

Question 36

Reason and Good Will

Answer 36

based upon reason. The only good motivation is one that comes out of goodwill and duty

Question 37

Motivation of Duty

Answer 37

to be completely ethical, the action must be done, duty for duty’s sake. It’s not about the consequence

Question 38

Virtue Ethics

Answer 38

you do the right thing over and over again so much that it becomes habit and “muscle memory.” You don’t have to think details, it just happens

Question 39

Virtue

Answer 39

moral excellence or ideal quality flowing from the disposition of character

Question 40

Historical supporters of virtue ethics

Answer 40

Aristotle (fulfilling purpose or arete in the Geek city state)
Thomas Aquinas (cardinal and theological virtues)
Alister Macentire (you need virtues to succeed)

Question 41

The Golden Mean

Answer 41

(Aristotle)
Virtues are moderations between excess and deficiency

Question 42

Views of Rewards

Answer 42

“something given for worthy behavior, merit, or ability”
Distributive justice-how to fairly dispense goods or rewards
Egalitarian-equal distribution of reward
Need-based-dependant upon necesssities
Effort-based-dependent upon one’s exertion
Merit-based–dependant upon previous accomplishment, character, or ability
Incentive-based–to encourage or stimulate future effort

Question 43

Views of punishment

Answer 43

Retribution–to retaliate for past crime “eye for eye, etc.”
Prevention-1. protection-to safeguard society from this criminal 2. Deterrence-to cause others to reconsider before committing a similar crime
Restitution-to compensate the victim of the crime
Rehabilitation-to reform the criminal so they don’t do it again
Recidivism-return to crime

Question 44

definition and guides of punishment

Answer 44

“The act of penalizing someone for a crime, fault, or misbehavior”
-it must be given o done for something
-it must include unpleasantness
-it should be legally administered
-it must be imposed by the proper authority