Logic, Moral Theories, and Ethical Dilemmas: Validity, DCT, Relativism, Utilitarianism, and Double Effect

What is logical validity?

It is impossible for all the premises to be true and the conclusion false.

What guarantees the truth of a conclusion in a valid argument?

The truth of the premises.

What is a sound argument?

An argument that is logically valid and has all true premises.

What is Divine Command Theory (DCT)?

An action is morally obligatory if commanded by God, and morally wrong if forbidden by God.

What is an objection to Divine Command Theory?

If God has reasons for commanding actions, then those reasons, not God's command, make actions right or wrong.

What is ethical relativism?

An action is morally permissible if allowed by the guiding ideals of the society in which it is performed.

How would ethical relativism be true?

By studying particular cultures to understand their guiding ideals.

What is subjectivism in ethics?

An action is morally permissible if allowed by the guiding ideals of the person performing it.

What are the two attractions of ethical relativism?

It makes morality observable and provides a method to answer ethical questions.

How does moral objectivism differ from relativism?

Objectivism claims there are moral standards that apply to everyone, regardless of personal beliefs.

What is an example of a Modus Tollens argument?

100 years ago, US society forbade having children outside of marriage; today, it is less hostile to that.

Can ethical relativism justify intolerance?

Relativism does not always tell us to be tolerant.

What does Relativism say about morality?

The right thing is determined by the ideals of the society where the action takes place.

What was the Puritan society's stance on tolerance?

They were not tolerant; they banned Catholics, interfered with religious practices, and treated homosexual sex as a capital crime.

What is Sharon Street's argument regarding mind-dependent ethics?

Mind-independent views imply we are clueless about morality, while mind-dependent views imply we know a lot about morality.

Why might someone think evolution has shaped our ethical views?

Moral truths are independent of evolutionary influences, leading to the conclusion that most moral beliefs are products of evolutionary pressures.

What is utilitarianism?

An action is morally permissible if it maximizes overall net happiness.

Describe the scarce drug case in utilitarianism.

Five sick people need medicine, but only five vials are available; giving one vial each saves all five, maximizing overall happiness.

What is the bystander case in utilitarian ethics?

You decide whether to pull a lever to divert a train from killing five people to killing one person.

What is the bridge case in utilitarian ethics?

You can push a person onto the track to derail a train and save five people.

What is the transplant case in utilitarian ethics?

You could kill a healthy patient to use their organs to save five patients needing transplants.

What is the sheriff case in utilitarian ethics?

The sheriff must choose between executing an innocent man to prevent a riot or letting the riot proceed.

What is the right action under utilitarianism in the sheriff case?

Executing the innocent man is morally correct as it saves more overall lives.

What is the pandemic case in utilitarian ethics?

One person is the cure to save thousands, but killing them is necessary to save the rest.

What is absolute deontology?

It is always morally wrong to kill or cause serious harm to an innocent person without their consent.

What is an objection to absolute deontology?

In a pandemic, extracting a girl's genetic material to save millions would painlessly kill her.

What is a utility monster?

A person who would be happier with an item than another person, leading to unequal distribution of happiness.

Define the doctrine of double effect.

It is acceptable to allow or cause grave harm to achieve a greater good, with specific moral rules guiding the action.

What are the four rules of the doctrine of double effect?

1. The action must be morally good or neutral. 2. The harm must not be intended. 3. The good outcome must be caused by the action, not the harm. 4. The good end must be justified in proportion to the harm.