Note 4

Question 1

Ethics

Answer 1

The branch of philosophy that studies right or wrong
-strongly related to culture
-descriptive vs prescriptive (tanımlayıcı vs kuralcı)
-morality (descriptive) vs ethics (theoretical)

Question 2

Ethical Relativism

Answer 2

all moral values are relative to individual or specific culture
Cultural relativism: cultural norms decides whats right or wrong
Ethical subjectivism: Ultimate moral authority is the individual or the subject (Ruth Benedict

Question 3

Ethical Egoism

Answer 3

Selfishness is not evil (normative claim)
Psychological egoism: we are driven to pursue our own self interest by our inborn human nature- we cannot do otherwise (descriptive)
Ayn Rand

Question 4

Ethical absolutism

Answer 4

at least some moral values are universal and apply to all individuals and cultures
-we can find such a value in the future
-Şuanda öyle olmaması öyle olmaması gerektiği anlamına gelmiyor (Hume’s Law)

Question 5

Hume’s Law Is-Ought problem

Answer 5

descriptive is explaining the definings
prescriptive is telling what should be
that is not obvious how one can coherently transition from descriptive statments to prescriptive ones

Question 6

Religion and ethics

Answer 6

Martin Luther King jr.
Divine command theory: doing what god tells us to do is morally right
natural law theory: universal moral values can be discovered in nature by using reason

Question 7

Ethical Theories

Answer 7

-Legacy of Antiquity (Virtue ethics-Aristothales)
-Deontological (Kantian) ethics
-Utilitarianism (Bentham and Mill)
-Existentialism
-Care Ethics

Question 8

Legacy of Antiquity (Virtue ethics-Aristothales)

Answer 8

-Virtues (erdem) vary from person to person
-Main question is how to live a good life maining eudemonia (saadet)
-Excel in your virtues by means of golden mean (avoid two extremes: lack or access)

Question 9

Deontological (Kantian) ethics

Answer 9

-Act according to Categorical imperative (universalizability and treating people as ends in themselves)
-No interest in happiness or consequences

Question 10

Utilitarianism (Bentham and Mill)

Answer 10

-Consequentialist theory
-Takes into account sensibility (equally for everyone)
-Maximizing the pleasure and minimizing the pain (hedonistic calculation)

Question 11

Existentialism

Answer 11

-Human do not have and essence that they have to accord with (existence precedes essence)
-Authenticity matters: Choices you make authentically are the right ones
-life is absurd you make your own meaning (individual responsibility)

Question 12

Care Ethics

Answer 12

-Principle based theories can skip humanly sensitivities/ Context matters
-Responsibility and relations should be taken into account
-Females’ experiences can be interpreted as an upper version of dealing with
ethical dilemmas compared to abstract calculations. (Criticizes Kohlberg’s moral
development theory)
Being human is essentially RELATIONAL

Question 13

Qualities of a critical thinker

Answer 13

Open minded
Knowledgable
Mentally Active
Curious
Independent Thinkers
Skilled Discussants
Insightful
Self Aware
Creative
Passionate