Moral theory Flashcards
(30 cards)
What is utilitarianism?
Driver - classical utilitarianism
Do what has the best consequences for the wellbeing of all persons or sentient creatures.
IMPARTIAL, AGENT NEUTRAL
How is utility measured? What does the morally right action produce?
(Driver - classical utilitarianism)
How much happiness is derived by an action - morally right action produced greatest overall pleasure.
What are the two parts of the principle of utility?
Driver - classical utilitarianism
1 - maximize value
2 - value-theory (the value that we ought to be maximizing/promoting)
What are the 7 parameters to measure pleasure?
Driver - classical utilitarianism
- Intensity
- Duration
- Certainty or uncertainty
- Propinquity or remoteness
- Fecundity (fruitfulness)
- Purity
- Extent
What was Bentham’s view on pleasure? (qualitative)
Driver - classical utilitarianism
All pleasures are the same, difference between pleasures is only quantitative
What were the main criticisms of Bentham’s theory?
Driver - classical utilitarianism
Promotes “swine mentality” - do whatever promotes pleasure even if the means to pleasure is from a less worthy activity
Animals have same value as humans
How did Mill’s theory modify Bentham’s to deal with the “swine morality” objection?
(Driver - classical utilitarianism)
Distinguished fool’s happiness (trivial pursuits) and Socrate’s knowledgeable happiness (philosophical pursuits, etc.)
Humans have higher sense of pleasure than animals
According to Mill, what is a higher pleasure?
Driver - classical utilitarianism
Pleasures superior in kind (type, method of deriving pleasure) and quality
animals have a lesser moral standing than humans bc they can’t feel higher pleasures
How is utility, by measure of happiness, proved?
Driver - classical utilitarianism
Only proof is that every person desires their own happiness
Why does Mill believe free speech is necessary?
Driver - classical utilitarianism
People will develop highest degree of pleasure through intellectual sharpening
Moral growth depends on questioning of norms
What is ethical egotism?
Driver - classical utilitarianism
People should promote own well-being. Actions evaluated relative to good consequences generated to self.
AGENT RELATIVE.
What is the repugnant conclusion?
Driver - classical utilitarianism
Small population with very high quality of life has less happiness than large population with very low quality of life
What is distributive justice?
Driver - contemporary consequentialism
Justice concerning the distribution of benefits (ex. Health care) and burdens (ex. Taxation)
What is retributive justice?
Driver - contemporary consequentialism
Justice concerning distribution of rewards and punishments (ex. Criminal prosecution)
What is diminishing marginal utility?
Driver - contemporary consequentialism
One unity of utility will mean more to those who are disadvantaged, making it far more likely that the best distribution of goods will be roughly equal
What is Driver’s “drifter” thought experiment?
Driver - contemporary consequentialism
Drifter’s arrival in small town coincides with series of murders. There is no evidence indicating Drifter’s guilt, but townspeople want him hanged.
While his death would be unjust, utilitarianism demands that the sheriff sacrifice drifter to maximize overall happiness
What is act-utilitarianism?
Driver - contemporary consequentialism
Whenever we are trying to decide how to act, choose the act that itself has the best consequences
What is rule-utilitarianism?
Driver - contemporary consequentialism
The right action us the action which is performed in accordance with a set of rules which maximize utility
What are supererogatory acts?
Driver - contemporary consequentialism
Acts that are good but go beyond the scope of moral obligation
What is negative responsibility?
Driver - contemporary consequentialism
You are held responsible for your inaction
What is Kant’s argument (opposing Hume) morality?
Driver - Kantian ethics
Reason is particularly required in order to set moral goals, which are independent of desires
Morality is dependent on reason, not sentience
What is the hypothetical imperative?
Driver - Kantian ethics
Contingent command that we ought to follow given our desires (If X is desired, do Y)
What is the categorical imperative?
Driver - Kantian ethics
Absolute, unconditional moral requirement irrespective of desires
(don’t lie).
When, in Kant’s view, do our actions lack moral worth?
Driver - Kantian ethics
When we act well and are solely motivated by the desire to act well
