Flashcards
Normative ethics
Cards in this deck (26)
- 1What are the three types of ethical theoryteleological - forward looking - Utilitarianism
Deontological - event based - Kantian
Virtue - agent based - Aristotelian - 2Outline act utilitarianismBentham
the action which creates the greatest happiness for the greatest number is the moral action
happiness can be quantified by the hedonic calculus
actions have instrumental worth
the theory is entirely egalitarian - 3Outline the aspects of the hedonic calculusduration
intensity
remoteness
purity
certainty
extent
fecundity (likelihood to create more happiness) - 4Issues for AUIt is not human nature to act hedonistically
fails to account for rights - gang rape issue
motivation is not considered
no value given to relationships - trolly problem
can justify punishment of the innocent - people want someone to be held to account
issue in application, only moral after the fact - 5Outline rule utilitarianismMill
Certain behaviours are known to generally result in happiness
therefore, as a rule we should copy these behaviours
Strict - never break the rules
Weak - break the rules when it is clearly against interest
qualitiative theory - LPs of the body and HPs of the mind, HPs prioritised - resolves rape issue
relies on mills proof of happiness - 6Outline Mills proof of happinessThe only proof that an object is visible is for people to actually see it
The only proof tha a sound is visible is that people actually hear it
Therefore, to prove a thing desirable it must be desired
If each person desires happiness for themselves then each persons happiness is desireable for themselves
Each person desires happiness for themselves
Each persons happiness is desireable for themselves
the general happiness is desireable for the aggregate of all persons - 7Issues for RUHow do you resolve conflicting rules
The weak position is reducible to AU
A hard position results in knowingly painful action - murderer example
mills proof commits the fallacy of equivocation desirable is not that which should be desired
Mill commits the fallacy of composition - you can't know people desire happiness
Ones own desire for happiness is not a desire for general happiness
our desire for truth or realism overrides happiness, Nozicks VR - these are constitutive pleasures - necessary but not sufficient for happiness - 8Outline preference utilitarianismThe satisfaction of preferences is all that matters
Often this will lead to pleasure but that isn't what matters
as rational beings we deserve to havea our preferences satisfied
this justifies post mortem wishes, truth and HP LP distinction - 9Virtue - what is a good personA good X is that which fulfils the characteristic activity of X well
A good knife is that which cuts well
the characteristic activity of humans is to achieve eudemonia
Therefore a goiod person is that which achieve eudemonia - 10What is eudemoniaAchieving the following
pleasure - for one to be happy
propensity (wealth) - to have the time and ability to have pleasure
Virtuosity - to act well, to be moral - 11What are virtuesA virtue is a trait of character, a predisoposition as to how to act, which through practice can be changed, for example bravery
a virtue is the golden mean between two vices - cowardice, bravery, foolhardiness
the golden mean is found through practical wisdom - 123 types of actionVoluntary - done through choice
Involuntary - known but uncontrollable
Non-voluntary - unknown - 13Which types of action are under moral scrutinyVoluntary
- 14Why do people do bad thingsLack of practical wisdom, but must be held to account to improve wisdom (but are they responsible)
- 15Distinguish happiness and eudemoniahappiness is fleeting E is long lasting and objective
- 16Issues with virtue theoryguidance - when do we have enough practical wisdom to make moral decisions
conflicting virtue - during conflict what sjhoudl be done
issue in circularity of terms - a virtuous person is that who deos virtuous actions which are those whicha virtuous person does. but we can think of a generic person to get round this - 17Outline Kantian deontologyActions have intrinsic value
actions are all that matter
Only human action can be judged morally
We have a duty to act morally - 18Why are humans the only morally accountable beingsAll other creatures are in the phenomenal realm of particulars and are driven by bdesire
God is in the rational realm and is driven by reason
we are between the two, and the more ratioanl we are the more moral we are - 19How do we know if an action is moralIt must pass the three formulations of the categorical imperative, it must also be written as a maxim - I will X
1) universilisation - this can fail by contradiction in conception - stealing, or not being rationally willable - not helping others
2) ends means - ever person must be treated as an ends in themselves and not be used as a means to an end
3) universal kingdom of ends - must be compatible with all other rules - 20Types of moral dutyGeneral - those which always apply - do not lit
Personal - those which should be kept when possible - keep promises
One has a duty only to be moral in their own actions, not anyone else's - 21difference between a categorical and hypothetical imperativeCI: Do X - the action is intrinsically important
HI: If you want X, then do Y - the action is instrumental - 22Issues for deontologyconsequence
application
value of character
conflicting duties - 23Issue of concequence for deontologyOutcome does not matter
A patient dying through error is the fault of a doctor but he did not act immorally
but the murderer example - 24Issue of application for deontologyWhat if a maxim cannot be made (then the action is not in the realm of morality)
Some maxims aren't possible but desireeable - being above average (again this is amoral) - 25Issue of value of character for deontologypeople are acting for duty's sake, not to be moral, therefore are you genuinely a good person if you act because one is compelled to
- 26Issue of conflicting dutiesIf 2 maxims contradict then which should be obeyed
2 perfect can't contradict, otherwise do the perfect one
murderer example
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- A level Philosophy Flashcards on Normative ethics , created by John Doak on 23/05/2017.
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- John Doak
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