Moral Philosophy Review

Flashcards on Moral Philosophy

Cultural Relativism

Morality varies between cultures; there is no objective standard.

Simple Subjectivism

Morality is based on individual feelings.

Emotivism

Moral statements express emotions and try to influence others.

Psychological Egoism

People always act in their own self-interest.

Ethical Egoism

People should act in their own self-interest.

Utilitarianism

Greatest happiness principle.

Deontology

Moral law from reason, Categorical Imperative.

Social Contract Theory

Morality as rules rational agents agree to for mutual benefit.

Euthyphro Dilemma

Is something good because God commands it, or does God command it because it's good?

Singer's Core View

Equal consideration of interests, not equal treatment.

Speciesism

Discrimination based on species is unjustified.

Singer's Stance on Abortion

Personhood (not just being human) matters morally.

Drowning Child Analogy

If we can help at little cost, we are morally obligated.

Singer on Civil Disobedience

Moral duty can override legal obligations.

Dual Process Theory

Fast (emotion) vs. slow (reason) moral systems.

Trolley Problems

Highlights tension between deontology and utilitarianism.

Greene’s Deep Pragmatism

Use utilitarianism as a 'metamorality' across groups.

Common Currency

Need shared metric (well-being) for resolving moral disputes.

Cultural Relativism

Morality differs across cultures; no universal standard exists.

Simple Subjectivism

Morality is based on personal feelings.

Emotivism

Moral statements express emotions and influence others.

Psychological Egoism

Humans only act in self-interest.

Ethical Egoism

Humans should act in self-interest.

Utilitarianism

Maximize happiness for the greatest number.

Deontology

Moral duties based on reason; follow the Categorical Imperative.

Social Contract Theory

Morality as agreed-upon rules for mutual benefit.

Euthyphro Dilemma

Does God command what is good, or is it good because God commands it?

Singer's Core View

Give equal consideration to all interests.

Speciesism

Discrimination based on species; morally wrong.

Singer's Abortion Stance

Personhood determines moral status, not just being human.

Drowning Child Analogy

We must help if we can at little cost.

Singer on Civil Disobedience

Moral duty can outweigh legal duty.

Dual Process Theory

Morality involves fast (emotional) and slow (rational) thinking.

Trolley Problems

Tests conflict between deontology and utilitarianism.

Greene’s Deep Pragmatism

Use utilitarianism as a common 'metamorality'.

Common Currency

Well-being needed as shared metric for moral agreement.

What does Cultural Relativism imply?

No universal moral truths exist.

What is a critique of Simple Subjectivism?

It cannot account for moral disagreement.

What is the focus of Emotivism?

Expressing feelings and influencing others.

What is a key issue with Psychological Egoism?

Hard to prove or disprove; unfalsifiable.

What is a potential problem with Ethical Egoism?

Can lead to conflicts of interest.

What is a practical challenge of Utilitarianism?

Difficult to predict all consequences of actions.

What is Kant's Categorical Imperative?

Act only on maxims you want to be universal laws.

What concept is central to Social Contract Theory?

Mutual agreement and benefit among rational agents.

What is the central question in the Euthyphro Dilemma?

The relationship between morality and divine commands.

What does Singer argue regarding moral consideration?

It should be based on the capacity to suffer.

Why does Singer oppose Speciesism?

Because it's an arbitrary basis for moral discrimination.

According to Singer, what justifies moral status?

Having interests, not just being a member of a species.

What does the Drowning Child analogy illustrate?

Our obligations to help those in need.

Under what conditions does Singer support civil disobedience?

When legal obligations conflict with strong moral duties.

According to Dual Process Theory, how do we make moral decisions?

Using both emotional intuitions and rational analysis.

What do Trolley Problems typically involve?

Choosing between different outcomes with moral consequences.

What is Greene's proposal for overcoming moral disagreements?

Employing utilitarianism as a high-level framework.

What does moral agreement require?

A shared understanding of what matters: well-being.

Cultural Relativism

Morality differs across cultures; no universal standard exists.

Simple Subjectivism

Morality is based on personal feelings.

Emotivism

Moral statements express emotions and influence others.

Psychological Egoism

Humans only act in self-interest.

Ethical Egoism

Humans should act in self-interest.

Utilitarianism

Maximize happiness for the greatest number.

Deontology

Moral duties based on reason; follow the Categorical Imperative.

Social Contract Theory

Morality as agreed-upon rules for mutual benefit.

Euthyphro Dilemma

Does God command what is good, or is it good because God commands it?

Singer's Core View

Give equal consideration to all interests.

Speciesism

Discrimination based on species; morally wrong.

Singer's Abortion Stance

Personhood determines moral status, not just being human.

Drowning Child Analogy

We must help if we can at little cost.

Singer on Civil Disobedience

Moral duty can outweigh legal duty.

Dual Process Theory

Morality involves fast (emotional) and slow (rational) thinking.

Trolley Problems

Tests conflict between deontology and utilitarianism.

Greene’s Deep Pragmatism

Use utilitarianism as a common 'metamorality'.

Common Currency

Well-being needed as shared metric for moral agreement.

What does Cultural Relativism imply?

No universal moral truths exist.

What is a critique of Simple Subjectivism?

It cannot account for moral disagreement.

What is the focus of Emotivism?

Expressing feelings and influencing others.

What is a key issue with Psychological Egoism?

Hard to prove or disprove; unfalsifiable.

What is a potential problem with Ethical Egoism?

Can lead to conflicts of interest.

What is a practical challenge of Utilitarianism?

Difficult to predict all consequences of actions.

What is Kant's Categorical Imperative?

Act only on maxims you want to be universal laws.

What concept is central to Social Contract Theory?

Mutual agreement and benefit among rational agents.

What is the central question in the Euthyphro Dilemma?

The relationship between morality and divine commands.

What does Singer argue regarding moral consideration?

It should be based on the capacity to suffer.

Why does Singer oppose Speciesism?

Because it's an arbitrary basis for moral discrimination.

According to Singer, what justifies moral status?

Having interests, not just being a member of a species.

What does the Drowning Child analogy illustrate?

Our obligations to help those in need.

Under what conditions does Singer support civil disobedience?

When legal obligations conflict with strong moral duties.

According to Dual Process Theory, how do we make moral decisions?

Using both emotional intuitions and rational analysis.

What do Trolley Problems typically involve?

Choosing between different outcomes with moral consequences.

What is Greene's proposal for overcoming moral disagreements?

Employing utilitarianism as a high-level framework.

What does moral agreement require?

A shared understanding of what matters: well-being.

Cultural Relativism - Key Takeaway

No universal truth; morality is culture-specific.

Simple Subjectivism - Key Takeaway

Morality = personal feelings; can't resolve disputes.

Emotivism - Key Takeaway

Morality = expressing and influencing emotions.

Psychological Egoism - Key Takeaway

All actions are self-motivated (hard to disprove).

Ethical Egoism - Key Takeaway

Act selfishly; may cause conflicts.

Utilitarianism - Key Takeaway

Maximize happiness; consequences are hard to predict.

Deontology - Key Takeaway

Categorical Imperative; universalizable maxims.

Social Contract - Key Takeaway

Morality = mutual agreement for benefit.

Euthyphro Dilemma - Key Takeaway

God & morality: Does God define good or recognize it?

Singer's Ethics - Key Idea

Equal consideration of interests; oppose speciesism.