Phil 386 Midterm 1

philosophy

• Love of wisdom, careful analysis of beliefs and values we hold. 

why is philosophy disruptive

challenges beliefs

metaphysics philosophy

nature of reality and existence

epistemology philosophy

• nature of evidence, rationality, belief formation

ethics philosophy

• moral obligations, good vs evil

aesthetic philosophy

• value of art, what is art/beauty

normative vs empirical questions

• Normative: prescriptive, what we ought to do

• Empirical: descriptive, what we do

meta ethics

•  Nature of values, good and evil

normative ethics

Moral principles

applied ethics

• Practical part of ethics, what should i do? Is this right?

subjectivism

• An individual's values determine if something is moral or nothyw

why is subjectivism problematic

Everyone has different values, no moral standard, “its up to me if killing someone is bad”elativismr

relativism

Moral values and truths are products of culture and history, not individually dependent or discovered.

descriptive relevitism

• Descriptive- cultures have different moral beliefs

metaethial relevatism

• Metaethical- moral truths depend on culture

normative relavetism

• Normative- we should not judge other cultures’ morality

David Wongs belief

relevitism

who said morality exists to serve humans

wongs

social contract

The view that moral actions are good by view/virtue of social agreements or social contracts

contractionism

• contracts are done and held from mutual self interest. What do I get out of this?” → mutual self-interest

contractualism

•  contracts stem from the moral status of equality between people We are equals, so what is fair for everyone?” → moral equality

contractualist or contractionist. hobbs

contractions

contractualist or contractionist. plato

contractualist

contractualist or contractionist. rousseau

contractualist

contractualist or contractionist. Rawls

contractualist

explicit vs implicit agreements

• Explicit- laws in society

• Implicit- unspoken societal expectations, no law against burping in baby's face

the original position

• John RAWLS experiment

• A thought experiment asking: What rules would create a fair society?

• You choose without knowing what position you will have in society.

veil of ignorance

John Rawls.

You don't know your race, sex, wealth, health, job, disability, social status, etc.

• Prevents self-interest/bias.

primary goods

• Things everyone needs, regardless of their position.

• Example: clean water, rights, liberties.

Rawl’s 2 principles

• Equal basic liberties for everyone.

• Inequalities are acceptable only if: There is equal opportunity, and They benefit the least advantaged.

difference principle

John Rawls

Inequalities should be arranged to provide the greatest benefit to the least advantaged.

lexical hierarchy of principles

• 1. Liberty → 2. Equal opportunity → 3. Difference principle

• You cannot sacrifice basic liberties just to create more equality.

utilitarianism

• The morally right action is the one that produces the greatest overall happiness and least pain.

• Rejects subjectivism, relativism, and social contract theory

consequentialism

• Actions are judged by their actual consequences/results, not intentions.

3 step argument for utilitarianism

• Human Nature & Intrinsic Good: By virtue of human nature, getting pleasure and avoiding pain is the only intrinsically good thing.

• Rational Maximization: Reason dictates that we should maximize pleasure and minimize pain for the entire community.

• Quantifiable Measurement: We can and should measure pleasures and pains to calculate the right course of action.

founder of utilitarianism

Bentham

who said. "Act so as to produce the greatest good for the greatest number”- utility principle

Bentham

what are the only intrinsic goods

pleasure and avoidance of pain

what is the principle of utility

• “Greatest good for the greatest number.”

• Maximize overall/net happiness.

intrinsic vs instrumental goods

• Intrinsic: Good in itself → pleasure/happiness. (pleasure and pain avoidance are the only ones)

• Instrumental: Good because it leads to something good → money, knowledge, relationships.

• BENTHAMS Hedonic calculus + all 7 variables

used to measure pleasure/pain.

1. Intensity – How strong?

2. Duration – How long?

3. Certainty – How likely?

4. Propinquity – How soon?

5. Fecundity – Will it lead to more pleasure?

6. Purity – Will it avoid leading to pain?

7. Extent – How many people are affected?ct a

act vs rule utilitarianism

• Act- Judge each individual action by its consequences.

• Rule- Follow general rules that usually produce the most happiness.

who distinguished between Higher vs. lower pleasures

john stuart mill

explain lower vs higher pleasures.

• Lower: Physical/sensory pleasures.

• Higher: Intellectual, artistic, reflective pleasures.

net utility is

Total pleasure − total pain.

utilitarianism vs hedonism

• Hedonism: Maximize your own pleasure.

• Utilitarianism: Maximize everyone’s overall pleasure/happiness.

who believes Morality is based on duty, reason, and intention, rather than consequences.

kant

what is an imperative statement

• A statement that requires you to do something.

hypothetical vs categorical imperative

• Hypothetical: Depends on a goal → “If you want to pass, study.”

• Categorical: Applies regardless of your goals → an absolute moral requirement.

explain kants belief of good will

• The only thing that is good without qualification.

• An action has moral worth when it is done with the right intention, even if the outcome is bad.rea

are you morslly required to do something if it is out of your control

• You cannot be morally required to do something that is impossible or outside your control.

• Moral responsibility focuses on what you can choose/control.

Kant’s main moral principal

categorial imperative. Moral rules should be universal and apply equally to everyone.

explain the universalization test

• Ask: “Could this rule be followed by everyone?”

  • Identify your maxim (the rule/reason behind your action).

  • Imagine everyone followed it.

  • Ask whether this creates a contradiction.

  • If it does → the action is morally wrong.

• Example: Lying

  • If everyone lied, people would stop believing each other.

  • Lying depends on people generally expecting truth.

  • Therefore, universal lying contradicts itself → lying is wrong.

perfect vs imperfect duties

• Perfect duties- Absolute duties that must always be followed.

• Example: Do not lie.

• Violating them creates a contradiction when universalized.

• Imperfect duties- Duties we should follow but have some flexibility about when/how.

• Examples: Help others and develop your talents. They come from a contradiction in the rational will.

• Priority: Perfect duties > imperfect dutie

does kant agree with consequentialism

no. Consequences are often unpredictable and outside our control.

• We shouldn't determine whether an action is moral based on whether the outcome happens to be good or bad.

• Morality should instead depend on reason, duty, universal rules, and intention.

who is the main guy of virtue ethics

Aristotle

what is the main question of virtue ethics

what sort of person should i become?

what is a virtue

an excellent or good trait. example: courage, kindness

are virtues innate or acquired

aquired

what is the doctrate of the mean

virtue is the mean between excess and deficiency- aristotle

what are two extremes of the mean

excess and deficiency, both are vices

what is aristotles example of courage

courage is the virtue between cowardly and foolhardiness

is the mean subjective in virtue ethics

no it is contextual but based on objective facts

what are the three conditions of moral action

knowledge, freedom, and right motive

what does virtue ethics focus on

character and becoming a virtuous person