Morality and Ethics

Question 1

What is the main purpose founded by the “Trolley Problem”?

Answer 1

The good of the majority should be pursued even at the expense of the minority.

Question 2

Define morality.

Answer 2

One’s own principles of what’s right and wrong.

Question 3

Define ethics.

Answer 3

Right and wrong values that are provided to us as rules by society.

Question 4

Define virtue.

Answer 4

Superior ethical values.

Question 5

Define vice.

Answer 5

Immoral and unethical actions/intentions.

Question 6

Define meta ethics.

Answer 6

Study of the nature and meaning of ethical and moral concepts.

Question 7

Define normative ethics.

Answer 7

Study of ethical action.

Question 8

Define applied ethics.

Answer 8

Application of ethical principles into real-life situations.

Question 9

What is moral realism?

Answer 9

All morals are scientific facts.

Question 10

What are the two branches of moral realism?

Answer 10

Moral absolutism and moral relativism.

Question 11

Define moral absolutism.

Answer 11

Moral values that are deemed as right or wrong that exist around us.

Question 12

Define moral relativism.

Answer 12

Moral facts and values that are interpreted differently by each person.

Question 13

What are the two main factors of the ‘grounding problem of ethics’?

Answer 13

• the foundation of where our moral beliefs come from.
• the foundation has to be true and clear.

Question 14

What is moral anti-realism?

Answer 14

No objective moral facts.

Question 15

What are two branches of moral anti-realism?

Answer 15

Moral subjectivism and moral nihilism.

Question 16

Define moral subjectivism.

Answer 16

Moral facts and values are created by what we as a society deem as right or wrong.

Question 17

Define moral nihilism.

Answer 17

All moral facts and values are neither good or bad/right or wrong.

Question 18

Define egoism.

Answer 18

An individual’s sense of self-importance.

Question 19

The two types of egoism are…

Answer 19

Psychological egoism and ethical egoism.

Question 20

Define psychological egoism.

Answer 20

We’re born predisposed to our own desires and selves.

Question 21

Define ethical egoism.

Answer 21

People should always act out of self-interest.

Question 22

Define altruism.

Answer 22

An individual’s sense of selfless concern of the well-being of another person.

Question 23

The two types of altruism are…

Answer 23

Psychological altruism and ethical altruism.

Question 24

Define psychological altruism.

Answer 24

We’re psychologically predisposed to act for the sake of each other’s sakes.

Question 25

Define ethical altruism.

Answer 25

Philosophical belief that people should act out of selflessness.

Question 26

What are the most common normative ethics theories? (Hint: D.C.C)

Answer 26

Deontology, consequentialism and contractarianism.

Question 27

Define deontology.

Answer 27

It focuses on the intention of the action or event.

Question 28

Define consequentialism.

Answer 28

It focuses on the consequences of the action we take.

Question 29

Define contractarianism. (Hint: Zhongli)

Answer 29

It focuses on ‘moral contracts’ that depict what is right or wrong.

Question 30

In regards to the categorical imperative, Kant argued that…

Answer 30

It’s unnecessary to blame others for the consequences of their actions, because it was out of their control.

Question 31

According to Kant, the central construct of moral law is…

Answer 31

Categorical imperatives and hypothetical imperatives.

Question 32

Define categorical imperatives.

Answer 32

They are rules you must follow, regardless of your desires.

Question 33

In order to create categorical imperatives, you must look into

Answer 33

‘The universalisability principle’ and ‘formulation of humanity’.

Question 34

Define the universalisability principle.

Answer 34

Acting in a way you’d want your peers to act in.

Question 35

Define formulation of humanity.

Answer 35

Not using people as a means of achieving your goals.

Question 36

Define hypothetical imperatives.

Answer 36

Commands that depend on one’s desires that must do in order to achieve something else.

Question 37

Define ‘utilitarianism’.

Answer 37

Any action, whether its good or bad, is deemed as good if they bring pleasure to a great number of people.