Phil Exam 1 Flashcards
(53 cards)
Is it a necessary condition of objective worth that it contributes to the greater good?
-yes clearly it is sufficient because surely it has some greater worth
-sometimes we just do things that are great even if they don’t make the world metter
What is metaphysics?
-The study of reality
What is ontology?
-A sub branch of metaphysics that thinks about what exists and what is real
Lying and Deontology
-Necessary lying is a contradiction to deontology
-if you have a good enough reason to lie then the person you lied to would know and then you wouldn’t have to lie
Partiality
-partial to friends and family, you favor their wellbeing
-Deontology would criticize this by bringing up moral weight
-Heldke pushes against the deontology criticism (food and relationships)
Expected Utility
-The way a utilitarian makes decisions
-It is morally right to perform the action with the highest expected value
-weigh consequences of decisions
Deontology
-The moral philosophy that thinks morality is the philosophy of making sense of what duties we have
-what we must do
Subjective vs Objective value
-Subjective value involves personal passions that are fulfilling or bring joy
-Objective value involves the idea that activities have an objective worth, something that is valuable to more than just you
What is the central thesis of Singer’s “All Animals are equal”
The central thesis is that we should extend the principle of equality to non-human animals and reject speciesism, which is a bias in favor of humans over other animals.
What is speciesism, according to Peter Singer?
Speciesism is the practice of treating the interests of one’s own species as more important than the interests of other species, similar to racism or sexism.
How does Peter Singer define the principle of equality?
Singer defines the principle of equality not as equal treatment, but as equal consideration of interests, meaning that similar interests should be given equal weight, regardless of the species of the being involved.
What example does Singer use to explain the concept of equal consideration of interests?
Singer compares the suffering of animals in scientific experiments or factory farming to the suffering of humans, arguing that both should be given equal moral consideration.
How does Peter Singer respond to the argument that humans have superior intelligence or capabilities?
Singer argues that having superior intelligence or capabilities does not justify giving less consideration to the suffering of animals, just as it would not justify discrimination against less intelligent or capable humans.
What does Singer say about eating animals and using them in experiments?
Singer argues that eating animals and using them in experiments is unjustifiable if it causes unnecessary suffering, and most practices related to animal farming and experimentation do cause such suffering.
What role does utilitarianism play in Singer’s argument?
Singer’s argument is rooted in utilitarianism, which holds that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness and minimizes suffering. This framework leads Singer to advocate for reducing animal suffering.
What is the main argument in Roger Scruton’s “The Conscientious Carnivore”?
Scruton argues that it is possible to eat meat ethically by practicing conscientious carnivorism, which involves treating animals humanely and ensuring their welfare, both in life and in death.
How does Scruton distinguish between factory farming and traditional farming?
Scruton criticizes factory farming for its inhumane treatment of animals, whereas he praises traditional farming practices that allow animals to live natural, healthy lives before being humanely slaughtered.
How does Scruton respond to the claim that we should not eat animals because we do not need to?
Scruton argues that eating meat is part of the natural order and that humans, as omnivores, can consume animals ethically if they respect the dignity and well-being of the animals.
How does Scruton address the issue of animal suffering in the context of eating meat?
Scruton acknowledges that animals experience suffering, but he argues that if animals are treated well and live a natural life, their eventual slaughter for food can be justified, provided it is done humanely.
How does Scruton critique utilitarian approaches to animal ethics, like Peter Singer’s?
Scruton criticizes utilitarianism for reducing animals to mere units of pleasure and pain, arguing that this ignores the deeper moral relationships humans have with animals, which involve duties and responsibilities.
What does Scruton suggest about how conscientious carnivores should approach buying meat?
Scruton suggests that conscientious carnivores should buy meat only from sources that raise and slaughter animals humanely, such as small farms that practice ethical farming.
What is Susan Wolf’s main argument in “Meaning in Life”?
Wolf argues that a meaningful life is one that actively engages with objectively valuable projects, activities, or causes that are worth pursuing for their own sake.
How does Wolf define a “meaningful life”?
A meaningful life is one that involves active engagement in projects of worth—activities or pursuits that are subjectively fulfilling and objectively valuable.
How does Wolf address the problem of subjectivity in determining what is meaningful?
Wolf acknowledges that while different people are attracted to different projects, there is a need for a connection to something that is worthwhile beyond mere subjective preference, implying that meaning involves more than just individual choice.
