RS Fourth Form Michaelmas Exam

What is altruism?

Selflessness

What is egoism?

Selfishness

What happens in the Ring of Gyges?

A shepherd finds a ring that turns him invisible. No longer fearing punishment, he kills the king and steals the kingdom.

What does Glaucon take the Ring of Gyges to show?

We only act morally because we fear punishment

How does Brad Hooker try to disprove the view that we only act morally because it makes us feel good?

Most of us would prefer the welfare of our children even if it results in psychological torture for us.

What does Immanuel Kant say about the honest shopkeeper?

His actions come from "a selfish purpose"

What does Jeremy Bentham believe about the importance of altruism?

It is irrelevant to an action's moral worth.

Does Immanuel Kant believe it is possible for an action to be both moral and selfish?

No. Actions are only moral if they are done for the sake of duty.

Does Jeremy Bentham believe it is possible for an action to be both moral and selfish?

Yes, as long as the action has good consequences.

What is moral relativism?

The view that morality is relative to (i.e. depends on) your culture.

What is moral realism?

The view that there are objective moral facts.

Give an argument for moral relativism.

If moral facts were objective, everyone would agree on them; if moral facts were objective, they would be scientifically provable.

Give an argument against moral relativism.

It assumes people belong to only one culture; it entails that cultures cannot be criticised.

What is consequentialism?

The view that the morality of actions depends entirely on their consequences.

What is deontology?

The view that some actions are wrong in and of themselves, regardless of their consequences.

Name a famous consequentialist philosopher.

Jeremy Bentham

Name a famous deontologist philosopher

Immanuel Kant

What is Bentham's "greatest happiness principle"?

"It is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong."

What is Kant's "categorical imperative"?

Never treat a person as a mere means to an end, but also as an end in themselves.

What might a consequentialist say about organ markets?

They should be legal if they result in more transplants and save more lives.

Give a deontological objection to organ markets.

Buying and selling body parts cheapens human life.