ethis

Question 1

What is Ethics?

Answer 1

Defined as ‘the practical science dealing with the morality of human conduct (human actions)’

This definition highlights Ethics as both a science and a practical science.

Question 2

What are the two important elements of Ethics?

Answer 2

Science and Practical science

Ethics is considered a complete and systematically arranged body of data regarding morality.

Question 3

What is the Material object of Ethics?

Answer 3

Human acts, or human conduct

The Material object refers to the subject matter that Ethics deals with.

Question 4

What is the Formal object of Ethics?

Answer 4

The right morality or the rectitude of human acts

The Formal object signifies the aim or special way Ethics studies its material object.

Question 5

What are the two dimensions of Ethics?

Answer 5

General Ethics and Applied or Special Ethics

General Ethics focuses on basic concepts, while Applied Ethics applies moral principles in specific areas.

Question 6

What does General Ethics deal with?

Answer 6

The morality of human acts focusing on basic concepts

General Ethics serves as the foundational understanding of morality.

Question 7

What does Applied or Special Ethics refer to?

Answer 7

The application of moral principles, standards, and norms in specific areas of human life

Examples include Legal Ethics, Judicial Ethics, Medical Ethics, and Police Ethics.

Question 8

True or False: Ethics is only a theory and not a practice.

Answer 8

False

Ethics encompasses both a theoretical understanding of morality and practical applications.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: Ethics presents data which directly imply and indicate directions for _______.

Answer 9

[human conduct]

This characteristic distinguishes Ethics as a practical science.

Question 10

What is the opposite of practical science?

Answer 10

Speculative science

Speculative science presents truths that are to be known but not necessarily acted upon.

Question 11

What are the essential characteristics of Moral Principles?

Answer 11

• Prescriptivity
• Impartiality
• Overridingness
• Autonomous from arbitrary authority
• Publicity
• Practicability

These characteristics guide the understanding and application of moral principles in ethical decision-making.

Question 12

Define Prescriptivity in the context of moral principles.

Answer 12

It refers to the action-guiding nature of morality, prescribing what people should do or not do.

Examples include directives like ‘Obey your parents’ or ‘You should not tell lies.’

Question 13

What does Impartiality mean in moral principles?

Answer 13

Moral principles should be neutral and apply to anyone regardless of status or situation.

This ensures fairness and equality in moral judgments.

Question 14

What is Overridingness in moral principles?

Answer 14

It means that moral principles should surpass all other norms or standards of evaluation.

Moral considerations take precedence over legal or social norms.

Question 15

What does it mean for moral standards to be Autonomous from arbitrary authority?

Answer 15

Moral standards should be independent and not based solely on majority opinion or arbitrary decisions.

This emphasizes the importance of ethical principles over popular consensus.

Question 16

Explain the concept of Publicity in moral standards.

Answer 16

Moral standards should be made public to guide actions and allow for accountability.

This aspect ensures that moral guidelines are accessible and known to society.

Question 17

What is meant by Practicability in moral standards?

Answer 17

Moral standards must exist in a form that human beings are capable of following.

This ensures that ethical guidelines are realistic and achievable.

Question 18

What is the significance of having a sense of morality?

Answer 18

It differentiates humans from animals and is essential for reflecting on concepts like truth, righteousness, and goodness.

This reflection is crucial for the development of human civilizations.

Question 19

List basic moral questions that people ask.

Answer 19

• What is the good?
• What makes a life a good life?
• What are the virtues of a human being?
• What duties do we have to each other?

These questions highlight the fundamental nature of ethical inquiry.

Question 20

Why is a course in Ethics considered fundamental?

Answer 20

It helps endorse valuable moral and social values like cooperation, respect for human rights, and compliance with the law.

Ethics promotes rational living and meaningful life choices.

Question 21

What are some reasons why Ethics should be a required course?

Answer 21

• Provides clarity on right and wrong decisions
• Establishes principles for orderly social life
• Critiques moral conduct and ethical systems
• Points out true values of life
• Addresses the impact of faulty ethical theories

These reasons underscore the necessity of studying ethics.

Question 22

Define a Human Act.

Answer 22

An act which proceeds from the deliberate free will of man, encompassing any activity performed knowingly and freely.

It is distinct from acts performed without full exercise of free choice.

Question 23

What are the three essential qualities of Human Acts?

Answer 23

• Knowledge
• Freedom
• Voluntariness

Each quality is critical for an act to be considered a true human act.

Question 24

What does Knowledge mean in the context of Human Acts?

Answer 24

It refers to the awareness of the action that a person is about to perform or is performing, necessary for accountability.

A person cannot be responsible for actions performed in ignorance.

Question 25

Explain the concept of Freedom in Human Acts.

Answer 25

Freedom refers to the capacity to act or not act, allowing for choice among alternatives. ## Footnote This capacity is rooted in man's intelligence.

Question 26

Define Voluntariness in relation to Human Acts.

Answer 26

It means that the person must perform the act voluntarily or with consent. ## Footnote Factors like advertence influence the degree of voluntariness.

Question 27

What are the modifiers of Human Acts?

Answer 27

* Ignorance * Fear * Violence * Habit ## Footnote These factors can affect the essential qualities of human acts and influence moral responsibility.

Question 28

What is Ignorance in the context of moral acts?

Answer 28

The absence of knowledge, which can negatively impact the moral character of an act. ## Footnote Ignorance can be either vincible or invincible.

Question 29

Differentiate between Vincible and Invincible Ignorance.

Answer 29

* Vincible Ignorance: conquerable ignorance that can be dispelled by diligence. * Invincible Ignorance: ignorance that cannot be overcome by ordinary diligence. ## Footnote Vincible ignorance is culpable, while invincible ignorance is not.

Question 30

What is Fear in the context of morality?

Answer 30

A passion that induces the will to act contrary to one's inclination due to the apprehension of danger. ## Footnote Fear can cause actions or accompany them as a circumstance.

Question 31

Define Violence in ethical terms.

Answer 31

External force applied to compel a person to act against their will. ## Footnote Violence can affect bodily action but not the will directly.

Question 32

What does Habit refer to in ethics?

Answer 32

A lasting readiness and facility for acting in certain ways, developed through repeated actions. ## Footnote Positive habits, like truthfulness, enhance moral character.