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27 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Characteristics of Subjective Relativism |
No universal moral norms of right and wrong. Each person decides for themselves what is right and wrong |
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Reasons For Subj. Relativism |
1. Intelligent people can have opposing opinions about moral questions 2. Ethical debates are pointless, as agreement may never be reached |
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Reasons Against Subj. Relativism |
1. What you think is right/wrong, and just doing what you want is not clearly defined 2. Makes no moral distinction between actions 3. Leaves no room for logic or reason in decisions |
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Characteristics of Cultural Relativism |
Right and Wrong rests with a society's morals |
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Reasons For Cultural Relativism |
Different social context demand different morals Arrogant for one society to judge another |
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Reasons Against Cultural Relativism |
Perhaps one society has good/bad guidelines, we cannot reason with them in any meaningful way. No framework for reconciliation btwn cultures Not directly based on reason |
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Characteristics of Divine Command Theory |
Good actions are those aligned with the will of God |
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Case For Divine Command Theory |
God created each of us, so we must follow his rules God is all knowing, so he must know what's right |
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Case Against Divine Command Theory |
Many Holy books, and they disagree on things Multicultural society will not likely adopt one religion Some moral issues are not directly addressed Theory is based on Obedience, not Reason |
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Characteristics of Ethical Egoism |
1. Morally right action is the action that will provide maximum long-term benefit 2. Assisting another human is only right if it is in the helper's own long-term best interest |
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Case For Ethical Egoism |
We want to make the most of our time here, why not do everything in our best interest! Other people should be left to take care of themselves Community benefits |
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Case Against Ethical Egoism |
Easy philosophy is not really the best philosophy We do know what might be good for others Self-interested focus can lead to immoral behavior We are happier when we take into account the good of others |
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Characteristics of Kantianism (Categorical Imperative) |
Focus on what we ought to do: dutifulness CI: Act only from moral rules that you can will to be universal moral laws |
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Case for Kantianism |
Produces universal moral guidelines Everyone is a moral equal |
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Case Against Kantianism |
Some cases cannot be defined by one rule No way to resolve conflicts between rules No exceptions to perfect rules - always immoral to lie, no matter the situation |
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Characteristics of Act Utilitarianism |
Greatest Happiness Principle An action is good if the benefits outweigh the harm Applies Utility to moral Actions |
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Case for Act Utilitarianism |
Focuses on happiness Practical - logical progression of thought Comprehensive |
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Case against Act Util. |
No clear boundary of where to draw util calculus Cumbersome for every action (impractical) Ignores innate sense of duty Cannot easily predict outcomes of actions Moral Luck could go against us - good intentions, bad results |
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Characteristics of Rule Utilitarianism |
Adopt those rules that leads to the greatest increase in happiness for all affected parties. Applies Utility to moral rules |
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Case for Rule Utility |
Not every decision requires utility calculus Crazy moral situations do not overthrow moral rules Is not affected by moral luck, as on the whole the action was likely good |
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Case against Rule Utilitarianism |
Forces us to use a single scale of measurement for different kinds of outcomes - value of human life? Ignores problem of unjust distribution of good consequences (2001 units to one > 2000 units to many) |
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Characteristics of Social Contract Theory |
Everyone living in a society agrees to two things: 1. Establishment of moral rules to govern relations between citizens 2. A government should be setup to enforce rules
No one is above the rules, and others follow these rules |
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Case for Social Contract Theory |
1. Framed in terms of Rights for the people 2. Based on idea that morality is an implicit agreement between rational beings 3. People recognize tension between self-interest and common good 4. Explains why it is right to remove someones rights (Jail) 5. Explains when civil disobedience can be right |
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Case against Social Contract Theory |
None of us signed a contract Actions can be characterized in multiple ways No way to resolve conflicting rights May be unjust to those incapable of upholding their side of the contract |
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Characteristics of Virtue Ethics |
Virtue refers to reaching one's highest potential. A right action is one a virtuous person would do Virtues are character trains humans need to flourish and be happy |
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Case for Virtue Ethics |
Allows for moral wisdom to take precedence. Usually makes more sense to focus on virtues instead of obligations or rights Allows for personal relationships to affect Recognizes our ability to improve on decisions
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Case against Virtue Ethics |
1. Different definitions of flourishing, happy lives 2. Cannot be used in government policy 3. If one acquires vices instead of virtues (growing up), does not hold people responsible for bad actions |