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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

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

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

Characteristics of Cultural Relativism

Right and Wrong rests with a society's morals

Reasons For Cultural Relativism

Different social context demand different morals


Arrogant for one society to judge another

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

Characteristics of Divine Command Theory

Good actions are those aligned with the will of God

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

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

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

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

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

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

Case for Kantianism

Produces universal moral guidelines


Everyone is a moral equal

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

Characteristics of Act Utilitarianism

Greatest Happiness Principle


An action is good if the benefits outweigh the harm


Applies Utility to moral Actions

Case for Act Utilitarianism

Focuses on happiness


Practical - logical progression of thought


Comprehensive

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

Characteristics of Rule Utilitarianism

Adopt those rules that leads to the greatest increase in happiness for all affected parties.


Applies Utility to moral rules

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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


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