Philosophy Midterm 1

How does utilitarianism judge actions?

by their consequences

What is the Greatest Happiness Principle?

Actions are morally right if they produce the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people

What is utility (Bentham)?

Utility is the tendency of an action to produce pleasure/happiness or to prevent pain

According to Bentham, what governs human behavior?

Pleasure and pain

How does Bentham describe human nature?

Humans naturally seek pleasure and avoid pain

How does Mill describe human nature?

Humans seek happiness, but they are capable of appreciating higher (intellectual and moral) pleasures over lower (physical) pleasures

What are higher pleasures according to Mill?

Intellectual and moral pleasures

What are lower pleasures according to Mill?

Physical pleasures

According to Mill, what are the only desirable ends of action?

pleasure and absence of pain

What is calculative rationality?

making moral decisions by calculating which action produces the greatest overall happiness

How does Bentham understand the individual?

someone who experiences pleasure and pain, and each person's happiness counts equally

How does Bentham understand the community?

the sum of all individuals, and its happiness is the total happiness of its members

According to Bentham, what are the interests of the community?

the combined interests of its individual members

According to Bentham, whose happiness matters?

Everyone's happiness counts equally

What question does a utilitarian ask before acting?

"Which action will produce the greatest overall happiness?"

What is the categorial imperative?

A universal moral law created by Kant, must be followed regardless of personal desires

According to Kant, can an action with bad results be morally good?

Yes, if it came from good will

What is our will? (according to Kant)

our rational ability to choose actions according to moral principles

What is an imperative?

a command or rule telling us what we ought to do (Kant)

What are the two types of imperatives?

Hypothetical and Categorical

What is the command “tell the truth” and example of?

categorical imperative

What is a maxim?

A personal rule or principle behind an action (Kant)

What does Kant evaluate morality based on?

the maxim

What is intention?

The motive or reason for acting (Kant)

What does Kant believes determines moral worth?

intention

What does Kant believes does NOT determines moral worth?

consequences

According to Kant, what kind of beings are we?

rational and autonomous (free will)

Why is Kant critical of what is "pleasant" to us as the basis for morality?

it relies on subjective desires rather than universal reason

Which philosopher practices Deontology? (duty ethics)

Kant

Why can't a moral action care about the consequence or the object?

it is out of our control

What does Kant base moral actions on?

will and intention

How do you test a maxim?

Universalize it and ask whether it could consistently become a universal law without contradiction

What is a contradiction according to Kant?

when a maxim cannot consistently exist as universal law

What makes a maxim immoral?

if it creates a contradiction

What is a perfect duty?

A duty that must always be followed with no exceptions

What is an imperfect duty?

A duty that should be fulfilled, but allows flexibility in how and when it is carried out

What is an example of something the violated perfect duty to yourself?

suicide

What is an example of something the violated perfect duty to others?

false promises

What is an example of something the violates imperfect duty to yourself?

neglecting your talents

What is an example of something the violates imperfect duty to others?

helping others in need

According to Kant, what is the only thing that is good without qualification?

a good will

According to Kant, why should we do the right thing?

because it is our duty

What is the moral law according to Kant?

Categorical Imperative

Which philosopher came up with Teleology?

Aristotle

What type of ethics is Aristotle known for?

Virtue Ethics

What does Aristotle believe the Telos of humans is?

to live well and achieve eudaimonia

What is Ergon?

The characteristic function of something (Aristotle)

How do we become virtuous, according to Aristotle?

repeated actions, habits

What is Eudaimonia?

human flourishing (Aristotle)

What is the Golden Mean?

virtues are a balance between deficiency and excess (Aristotle)

Is the Golden Mean a fixed & exact middle?

No, it is relative to the person and situation

How are intellectual virtues developed?

teaching, learning, education

How are moral virtues developed?

habit and practice

What is the highest good for Aristotle?

Eudaimonia

What is Aristotle's method for finding the highest good?

performing our Ergon (function)

What is the function (ergon) of man?

using rationality to develop virtues and live well

What sets humans apart from plants and animals?

ability to reason

What is the state of nature?

A hypothetical condition in which there is no government, no laws, and no common authority (Hobbes)

What are the 3 qualities of human nature, according to Hobbes?

Competition, Diffidence, Glory

What is the right of nature?

the freedom to do whatever necessary to preserve own life

What is the 1st Law of Nature? (Hobbes)

Seek peace whenever possible

What is the 2nd Law of Nature? (Hobbes)

give up some natural right, as long as others do the same, to achieve peace

Which law of nature is the basis for Social Contract?

2nd Law

What is the social contract?

mutual agreement to give up some natural rights and authorize common authority

What is the purpose of the social contract?

to escape the state of nature and gain protection

What is the 3rd Law of Nature?

keep your covenants (contracts)

What is the commonwealth?

organized political society created when people enter into a social contract

According to Hobbes, what is justice?

enforcing contracts, government exists

According to Hobbes, why is there no justice in the state of nature?

no laws, no contracts, no common authority

What is the idea of vulnerability and dependence in Care Ethics?

all humans are vulnerable and depend on others and different point of life

What does a surge of care emphasize?

empathy, communication, and finding solutions that maintain relationships

What type of ethics does Jake portray?

Justice Ethics

What type of ethics does Amy portray?

Care Ethics

What questions do Care Ethicists ask in ethical situations?

Who is the most vulnerable? Who needs care?

What is description vs. normativity?

how it is vs how it ought to be

What does Mills associate appetites with?

lower pleasures (hunger, sleep)

What does Mills associate faculties with?

higher pleasures (learning, creativity)

Who came up with natural law vs practical law?

Kant

What is natural law?

rules that are true in nature (gravity, biology)