Ethics Flashcards

What does a priori mean?

Justified by reasoning, independently of experience as evidence.

What does a posteriori mean?

Justified through experience or observation.

What makes an argument valid?

Its premises cannot all be true while its conclusion is false.

What makes an argument invalid?

Its premises could all be true while its conclusion is false.

What makes an argument sound?

It is valid and all its premises are true.

Can a valid argument have false premises?

Yes. Validity concerns logical structure, not whether the premises are true.

Can an invalid argument have a true conclusion?

Yes. A true conclusion does not guarantee valid reasoning.

What is the Ring of Gyges?

A story in Plato's Republic about a ring that makes its wearer invisible.

What question does the Ring of Gyges raise?

Why act morally if you could get away with wrongdoing?

What is moral objectivism?

At least some moral truths hold independently of individual or cultural approval.

What is individual moral subjectivism?

Moral truth depends on the individual's attitudes or approval.

What is cultural relativism?

Moral truth is relative to a culture's moral standards.

Does cultural disagreement prove cultural relativism?

No. Disagreement does not prove that moral truth depends on cultural approval.

How does objectivism differ from absolutism?

Objectivism means independence from approval; absolutism means some moral rules have no exceptions.

What is virtue ethics?

An ethical theory centered on virtuous character and what a virtuous person would do.

What is a virtue?

A stable excellence of character, such as honesty or courage.

What is a vice?

A stable defect of character, such as dishonesty or cowardice.

What is Aristotle's Golden Mean?

Virtue is an appropriate mean between excess and deficiency, determined by reason and circumstances.

What is an example of the Golden Mean?

Courage lies between cowardice and rashness.

What is practical wisdom?

Good judgment about what a particular situation morally requires.

How are virtues developed, according to Aristotle?

Through habituation: repeatedly practicing good actions.

What is Kantian deontology?

An ethical theory based on rational moral duties and respect for persons.

What is a categorical imperative?

An unconditional moral requirement that applies regardless of your desires.

What is a hypothetical imperative?

A requirement conditional on a goal: if you want X, do Y.

What is a maxim?

The principle you act on: what you will do, in which circumstances, and why.

What is Kant's Formula of Universal Law?

Act only on a maxim you could rationally will everyone to follow.

What is Kant's Formulation of Humanity?

Treat humanity, in yourself and others, always as an end and never merely as a means.

Does Kant forbid using people as means?

No. He forbids treating them merely as tools, without respecting their agency and worth.

What is consequentialism?

The family of ethical theories that grounds rightness in consequences.

What is utilitarianism?

Choose what produces the greatest overall well-being, counting everyone's welfare impartially.

How are utilitarianism and consequentialism related?

Utilitarianism is one kind of consequentialism; not all consequentialists are utilitarians.

How does act utilitarianism differ from rule utilitarianism?

Act utilitarianism evaluates particular actions; rule utilitarianism evaluates rules by their overall consequences.

What is the conflict and contradiction objection to virtue ethics?

Virtuous people may disagree, apparently making the same action both right and wrong.

How can virtue ethics answer the conflict and contradiction objection?

Different actions can both be permissible. What is permitted need not be required.

What is the priority problem for virtue ethics?

Are actions right because virtuous people do them, or do virtuous people do them because they are right?

What is one virtue-ethical response to the priority problem?

Virtue includes wisely responding to moral reasons and can be grounded in human flourishing.

What is the Murderer at the Door objection?

Kant's ban on lying seems wrong when lying is necessary to protect an innocent person from a murderer.

What is a strict Kantian response to the murderer objection?

Do not lie; try silence or noncooperation. This does not settle cases where only lying can save the victim.

What is the 'philosophy for pigs' objection?

Making pleasure the highest good seems to reduce human life to animal satisfaction.

How does Mill answer the 'philosophy for pigs' objection?

Pleasures differ in quality: competent judges who know both favor higher pleasures.

What is the justice objection to utilitarianism?

Maximizing overall welfare could require violating an innocent person's rights.

How can utilitarians respond to the justice objection?

Consider the wider harms of injustice, or defend welfare-promoting rules that protect innocent people.