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Snazzlefrag Flashcards

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1
Q

Divine Command Theory

A

(Type of Moral Objectivism) All moral obligations originate from God
Two Variations:
1. Actions are right/wrong in spite of God’s commands
2. God’s comands make things right/wrong
Problems: Not everyone believes in God, Determining what God’s law consists
of.

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2
Q

Prophets

A

Condemn oppressors, comfort the victims (Nathan condemns David for act of injustice)

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3
Q

Biblical Justice

A

Retributive (eye for an eye)

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4
Q

Augustine

A

Theologian/Philosopher - Happiness is the basis for philosophy. Happy = grow in knowledge of God

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5
Q

Moral Objectivism

A

Moral judgements are either objectively true or objectively false

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6
Q

Existentialist

A

No universal rules for right/wrong. Full freedom to make own choices…responsibility, risk

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7
Q

Theistic Existentialism

A

God created us, then left us on our own. Atheistic Existentialism: No God

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8
Q

Forfeiture

A

Can kill in self-defense or when person has threatened another’s life (forfeit own right to life)
Covers war and capital punishment but not suicide or invasion of innocent countries.

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9
Q

Epictetus

A

(Stoic) Happiness attained by living a virtuous life. The only evil is vice. Virtue = good for all
Fundamental Rule: Some thing control, others not. Understand this = inner peace, extrenal effectiveness
3 Areas of Study: Disciplines of Assent, Desire, Action (Against casual sex/extra-marital sex)

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10
Q

Natural Law

A

All species have inherent nature, typical characteristics for each species.
Critique: Nature can’t provide moral guidance because Natural doesn’t always
equal good/right.

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11
Q

Aquinas

A

(13 Century) God’s will/morality is based on reason. Natural Law = inherent guide to God’s Eternal Law
Look at the result of the act to determine if it is good or evil. Action = good if promotes purpose of God.

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12
Q

Social Contract Theory

A

Hobbes, Rousseau, Locke. H=War, R=Peaceful, L=Freedom but with moral boundaries

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13
Q

Hobbes

A

(17 Century) Social Contract Theory = self-interest. Natural State = constant war. Need government.
Must obey laws of the state to maintain social harmony.
Virtues such as modesty and equity promote Social Harmony. But serve self-interest of individuals.

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14
Q

Locke

A

Since humans can reason, they can deduce the Natural Laws, and have responsibility to enfore them.
In nat state, Hobbes anarchy avoid because indivs can reason and prosecute those who break nat law
Our ideas/knowledge are limited because derived from experience (Primary & Secondary Elements)
Individual property can be obtained through investment of labor.
Indivs consent to government but retain right to revolt. Majority Rule. Gov’t must protect private property

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15
Q

Rousseau

A

(18 Century) Influenced US Revolution. Social Contract breached = revolution.

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16
Q

Kant

A

Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives. Universal Law = test if we want the rule to apply to everybody. If so = moral
Cat Imp makes us act in moral way, Hyp Imp = remove desire, remove imperative…so conditional, not binding
1) Universal Laws are ABSOLUTE regardless of circumstances = categorical imperative
2) “Respect for Persons”. Humans have intrinsic worth. Not just means to an end
Reason is the key to moral judgments. Moral rules are binding on everyone, all the time
When we act, the morality of our action depends on our intentions rather than the results of our action
Only thing that is unconditionally good…is good will/good intentions
Critique: For any action there may be more than one alternative action…Nazis and lying

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17
Q

Rawls

A

Social Contract - Veil of Ignorance (original position) don’t know if law applies to them..so fair!
Economic Inequality would lead to “vice-like behavior” such as envy, arrogance.

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18
Q

Martin Luther King

A

60’s & 70’s. Non-violence. Inalienable right to Justice! God’s law higher than civil law.

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19
Q

Emotivism

A

No moral truths. Moral judgements simply express our feelings…neither true nor false.

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20
Q

Hedonism

A

Happiness attained by maximized pleasure and minimized pain.

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21
Q

Epicurus

A

Epicureanism = form of Hedonism but with self-restraint. “greatest good is prudence”.
2 types of pleasure and pain: Physical and Mental (learning, music, or fear)
Greatest pleasures attained through life of simplicity and moderation (tranquility=max pleasure)
Commiting injustices sacrifices tranquility to fear of reprisals or being found out.
No afterlife. We just don’t exist anymore. We should not fear the gods.

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22
Q

Consequentialists

A

If good conseq outweight bad conseq then it is morally right. Use your common-sense.

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23
Q

Deontology

A

(“duty”) Moral = follow rules that govern our moral duties. Motivation must also be pure.

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24
Q

Utilitarianism

A

Morality = action which benefit the greater good! Lie when needed. Break oath if needed etc.
External Sanctions=punishment, Internal Sanctions=Conscience.

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25
Mill
(Rule Utilitarianism) Greatest Happiness Principle. Right = promote happiness, Wrong if not. Higher (humans) and Lower Pleasures (animals). Higher involves mental faculties. other. Harm Principle: Gov't has moral right to limit freedom if people may harm each risks.
26
Bentham
``` (Negative Act Utilitarianism) Act is morally wrong if it reduces overall happiness. Hedonist Calculus (or Felicific Calculus). Calculate quantity of happiness an action produces. ```
27
Negative Act Utilitarianism
Several alternative morally right actions available to choose from.
28
Act Utilitarianism
The act which brings the greatest increase in overall happiness. Varies with circumstance. Do not assess moral rightness or wrongness...it depends on each unique case.
29
Rule Utilitarianism
Follow moral rules, test of total well-being. If conflict then revert to Act Utilitarianism.
30
Feminist Ethics/Ethics of Care
Revises traditional ethics. Care/love/emotion instead of justice/rule/duty. Standard Ethics based on non-interference and restrictions on aggression. Ethic of Care based on mututal interdependence, emotions, cognitive ability to understand.
31
Gilligan
(feminist): Women's decisions based on relationships not abstract concepts.
32
Jagger
feminist): Ethics = Small account of women's interests/right. Excludes moral conundrums of women. Defines women as morally underdeveloped. Overvalues male traits. Undervalues female traits. Kohlberg and Aristotle believe women are morally inferior.
33
Manning
feminist): Caring person resolves conflict through compromise. Not which rule! Which satisfies all?
34
Aristotle 1
(psychology): Organized reason, will, personality operates in harmony. Goal of humans is happiness. Arete=Excellence/Virtue. "Mean"=middle choice action. Not extremes. Highest good is virtue. If lacking in other goods (friendship), may have trouble choosing virtuous actions Doctrine of Mean: Actions vary according to circumstances. Mean would = equity for all parties.
35
Aristotle 2
Justice is a virtue. Doctrine of Equity. No discrimination. Prudence to choose the right action. No hard and fast moral rules but some moral laws are absolute/inviolable (murder/theft). If person assesses an act before executing it, he can be held accountable for results. Not if coerced. 2 Forms of Justice: Universal (lawful, right, for all) and Particular (distributive, retribution - 2 indivs).
36
Socrates1
People seek happiness. Must have healthy soul to choose virtuous actions which make you happy Acting viciously makes the soul vicious. Better to suffer injustice (body harm) than inflict one (soul harm) Nobody acts contrary to what they believe is good. Virtue is knowledge: vicious acts = ignorance
37
Socrates 2
People want to act virtuously because they know it is good for them Without knowledge, people cannot recognize what is good for their soul. Wrongdoers must therefore be taught what is virtuous rather than be punished. Unity of Virtues: Person who knows acting virtuous is for his own good will act virtuously in all areas Personal, social, military, religious...never commit a crime, always obey the laws of the state.
38
Plato 1
(students of Socrates) "The Republic". Justice needed to live a happy virtuous life. Ideal Gov't = Ruled by educated who are forced to live in poverty without possessions (not comm, or dem) Justice is achieved when 3 classes (ruler, soldier, people) perform their duties and live in perfect harmony.
39
Plato 2
Virtues of the Classes: Rulers, Wisdom - Soldiers, Courage - People, Moderation 3 Souls = Rational (capability to reason), Appetitive (will power/self control), Spirited (our will) > Harmony Liberty & Freedom: Ideal is a happy medium between slavery and license. Liberty is acheivable by participating in lawmaking and enforcing the laws. Laws must be reasonable.
40
Thucydides
Peloponnesian Wars. Domestic=social contract, Foreign policy=no contract (strongest state rules). Individuals are basically selfish and not moderated by moral rules (very cynical of human nature).
41
Ayn Rand
Highest moral purpose in life is to achieve happiness, through Self-interest Never sacrifice for others, or sacrifice others for himself. Critique: We depend on each other. Gov't, Parents, Employers, Teachers.
42
Hume
(Scottish) Moral actions not guided by reason but by our feelings. Doing good = pleasure.
43
Jefferson
Duty of gov't to secure self-evident rights of citizens. People "consent" to be governed.
44
Aristotle 3
(psychology): Organized reason, will, personality operates in harmony. Virtue=Second Nature "Goodness is in the actor, not the action." 'Nicomachean Ethics'.Goal of humans is happiness. Arete=Excellence/Virtue. "Mean"=middle choice action. Not extremes. Highest good is virtue. If lacking in other goods (friendship), may have trouble choosing virtuous actions
45
Aristotle 4
Doctrine of Mean: Actions vary according to circumstances. Mean would = equity for all parties. Justice is a virtue. Doctrine of Equity. No discrimination. Prudence to choose the right action. No hard and fast moral rules but some moral laws are absolute/inviolable (murder/theft). If person assesses an act before executing it, he can be held accountable for results. Not if coerced. 2 Forms of Justice: Universal (lawful, right, for all) and Particular (distributive, retribution - 2 indivs).
46
Augustine 2
Thelogian/Philosopher - Happiness is the basis for philosophy. Happy = grow in knowledge of God Humans by nature are depraved. Bound by original sin.
47
Aquinas 2
(13 Century) God's will/morality is based on reason. Natural Law = inherent guide to God's Eternal Law Look at the result of the act to determine if it is good or evil. Action = good if promotes purpose of God.
48
Bentham 2
``` Neg Act) Act is morally wrong if it reduces overall happiness. Ethical Hedonism. CONSEQUENCES! Hedonic Calculus (Felicific Calculus). Calculate quantity of pleasure/pain an action produces. ```
49
Deontology 2
("duty") Moral = follow rules that govern our moral duties. Motivation must also be pure. Right actions are right in themselves. Not due to consequences.
50
Emotivism
No moral truths. Moral judgements simply express our feelings...neither true nor false.
51
Epictetus
(Stoic) Happiness attained by living a virtuous life. The only evil is vice. Virtue = good for all Fundamental Rule: Some thing control, others not. Understand this = inner peace, external effectiveness 3 Areas of Study: Disciplines of Assent, Desire, Action (Against casual sex/extra-marital sex) "The Art of Living"
52
Ethical Egoism
Each person ought to act in his or her own Self-interest. Also see Psychological Egoism.
53
Feminist Ethics/Ethics of Care
Revises traditional ethics. Care/love/emotion instead of justice/rule/duty. Standard Ethics based on non-interference and restrictions on aggression.
54
Ethic of Care
based on mututal interdependence, emotions, cognitive ability to understand.
55
Psychological Egoism
Virtues such as modesty and equity promote Social Harmony. But serve self-interest of individuals Human charecterized by Appetites (attraction to motion) Aversions (repulsion from rest)
56
Self-interest
eads to war. So compromise of rights, turn over authority to gov't necessary.
57
Hume
(Scottish) Moral actions not guided by reason but by our feelings. Doing good = pleasure. Virtue driven not by self-interest, but by benevolence and sympathy
58
Jefferson
Duty of gov't to secure self-evident rights of citizens. People "consent" to be governed.
59
Moral Objectivism
Moral judgements are either objectively true or objectively false
60
Natural Law
All species have inherent nature, typical characteristics for each species. Critique: Nature can't provide moral guidance because Natural doesn't always equal good/right.
61
Psychological Egoism 2
The doctrine that all human motivation is ultimately selfish or egoistic.
62
Rand
Highest moral purpose in life is to achieve happiness, through Self-interest Never sacrifice for others, or sacrifice others for himself. Critique: We depend on each other. Gov't, Parents, Employers, Teachers.
63
Rawls
Social Contract - Veil of Ignorance (original position) don't know if law applies to them..so fair! Economic Inequality leads to "vice-like behavior". Inequality allowed if everyone benefits.
64
Sophists
Justice is determined by those who have power. "Might Makes Right"
65
Utilitarianism
Morality = action which benefit the greater good! Lie when needed. Break oath if needed etc. External Sanctions=punishment, Internal Sanctions=Conscience.
66
Act Utilitarianism
No right or wrong! Greatest increase in well-being. Varies case-by-case.
67
Negative Utilitarianism
(Bentham) Least amount of Harm. Minimize Pain. Several alternative options.
68
Rule Utilitarianism
(Mill) Follow rules, test of total well-being. If conflict then revert to Act Utilitarianism.

Ethics (2 decks)

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