Week 4

Question 1

Dirty Hands Problem

Answer 1

Sometimes leaders must do something morally wrong (e.g., lying, threatening) to achieve a greater good.

Question 2

What is Deontology?

Answer 2

Right/wrong depends on duties and rules, not outcomes.

Question 3

Deontology: Kant’s Key Ideas

Answer 3

Act only on rules you’d want everyone to follow.
Treat people as ends, not means.

Question 4

Deontology: Special Duties & Conflicts

Answer 4

Duties to specific people (e.g., children) may conflict. Kant says conflicts shouldn’t happen — but they do.

Question 5

Deontology: Motivation & Consequences

Answer 5

Acting only out of duty can feel cold or wrong; may also lead to worse outcomes.

Question 6

What is Virtue Ethics?

Answer 6

Focus on being a good person (character) rather than on rules or outcomes.

Question 7

Virtue ethics: Aristotle & Eudaimonia

Answer 7

Living well (flourishing) is the goal; achieved by practicing virtues (e.g., courage, honesty, generosity).

Question 8

Virtue ethics: Objections

Answer 8

Too vague: Doesn’t clearly tell you what to do.
Circular: Virtue = what virtuous people do — but who are they?
Virtue conflict: Being honest might hurt someone (honesty vs kindness).

Question 9

How the 3 Theories Differ: Consequentialism, Deontology, Virtue ethics

Answer 9

Consequentialism: Best outcomes
Deontology: Follow rules/duties
Virtue Ethics: Be a good person