Midterm 1

Question 1

What 5 things is ethics NOT the same as

Answer 1

Feelings
Religion
Laws
Cultural norms
Science

Question 2

What is the definition of ethics

Answer 2

Well founded standard of right and wrong that prescribes what humans ought to do

Question 3

What are the 3 standards of ethics

Answer 3

1. Reasonable obligations to refrain from rape etc
2. Virtues such as: honesty, compassion and loyalty
3. Standards related to rights = such as freedom

Question 4

What is normative theory

Answer 4

Propose some principle for distinguishing right actions from wrong actions

Question 5

Types of normative theories

Answer 5

Consequentialist = Moral evaluation is based on end consequences of the action

Ethical egoism
Ultilitarianism
Virtue ethics

Non-consquentialist = Moral evaluation is based on the moral agents intention behind the action

Kant
Rights Theories
Professional codes of conduct

Question 6

What is consequentialism

Answer 6

If consequences are good, then the act is right

If they are bad then the act is wrong

Question 7

What is non-consequentialism

Answer 7

Right and wrong actions are determined by the intention of the action or the rule rather than the consequence

Question 8

What is Virtue ethics

Answer 8

Based on character development

Question 9

What is ethical egoism

Answer 9

Always act in our own self-interest

Look out for #1

Question 10

Arguments for ethical egoism

Answer 10

We know our own wants and needs, we are best fit to pursue them

We know desires of others only imperfectly

Looking out for others is distruptive

Making others the object of charity is demeaning to them

Question 11

Arguments against ethical egoism

Answer 11

Cannot provide solutions to conflicts of interest

Logically inconsistent = an action is both right and wrong

Egoism is an arbitrary theory = we divid people into types and then say “I deserve X, and you dont”

Question 12

What is altruism

Answer 12

Acting for the sake of other peoples interests

Question 13

Name the two types of altruism and briefly describe them

Answer 13

Psychological = people naturally act for each others sake

Ethical = people ought to act with each others interests in mind

Question 14

What did Aristotle notion on virtue

Answer 14

If we can focus on being good people, the right actions will follow

Question 15

What was Aristotle view on the mean between extremes

Answer 15

Vice (Deficiency)
Virtue (Golden Mean)
Vice (Excess)

The right action is always the midpoint between two extremes

Question 16

What is Ultilitarianism

Answer 16

we should act to produce the greatest possible balance of good over bad for everyone affected by our actions for the longest duration.

Question 17

What are the 3 basic insights of Utilitarianism

Answer 17

1. Morality is to make the world a better place
2. Morality is about producing good consequences, not having good intentions
3. Do whatever to bring the most benefit to all of humanity

Question 18

What is the principle of Utility

Answer 18

The greatest amount of good (happiness) for the greatest number of people for the greatest duration

Question 19

What is Act Utilitarianism

Answer 19

Looks at the consequences of each individual act and works out the utility each time an act is performed

Question 20

What is Rules Utilitarianism

Answer 20

Looks at the consequences of having everyone follow a particular rule