Lecture Notes on Ethics and Political Philosophy

Flashcards on Kant, Libertarianism, and Rawls' Veil of Ignorance

Kant

A philosopher who believed in freedom of rights but not in adding the wants of people as a whole like Utilitarianism and argued that all people have human dignity that commands respect.

Morality, Freedom, and Reason

The three principles of Kantian ethics.

What gives motive worth?

In Kantian ethics, the intention of the act, not the consequences.

Autonomous

Acting according to a law I govern myself through reason (self-authored law).

Heteronomy

Acting on instincts/external factors/desires, not genuine freedom.

Categorical Imperative

Applies to all situations and cases, and should be universalizable.

Against Lying

Kant's stance on whether lying is permissible, even with good intentions.

Libertarianism

A political philosophy advocating for a free market system.

Objections to Libertarianism

Principles that are disagreed with because the poor need money for basic necessities more, taxation by consent of the Govt is not coerced, extreme wealth depends on luck so it’s not deserved

Suicide

In libertarianism, supporting this act promotes self-ownership and bodily autonomy.

Arguments Against Surrogacy

No morals in commodifying and selling the body, treats women as objects, wombs are not products of the market, undervalues gestation

Libertarian Principles on Government

No paternalistic legislation, no moral legislation, and no redistribution from rich to poor.

Justice in Acquisition

Needs to be obtained fairly.

Justice in Transfer

Needs to be consensual.

Forced Labor

What libertarians believe that taxation is equivalent to.

Rawls' Veil of Ignorance (V.O.I)

An idea to think about justice and laws by, imagine you have a veil on your eyes and you cannot see.

Rawls' Principle 1: Equal Liberty

Every person has an equal right to the most extensive set of basic liberties compatible with a similar liberty for others.

Rawls' Principle 2: Difference Principle (Pt. 1)

Social and economic inequalities are permissible only if they benefit the least advantaged person.

Rawls' Principle 2: Fair Equality of Opportunity (Pt. 2)

Everyone should have a fair and equal chance to achieve positions of advantage.

Profs' Definitions of the 2 Principles

Basic freedoms must be protected for everyone equally and inequality is only fair if it lifts up the people at the bottom, and everyone must have a real chance to succeed

Rawls' Views of Ignorance Takeaways

Fairness means dignified policies that protect the least advantaged, forces us to set aside privilege and bias, a just society doesn't reward luck of birth - it levels the playing field