275 Midterm

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What is Glaucon's challenge in Plato's Republic?

It questions whether justice is valuable in itself or merely for its consequences.

What does AAA Statement on Human Rights emphasize?

Cultural diversity and avoiding the imposition of Western values in human rights.

What is Mackie's Argument from Relativity about moral values?

It argues that different moral codes across societies imply moral judgments aren't objective truths.

What does Mackie's Argument from Queerness suggest?

Objective values would be strange and would require a unique moral perception, suggesting they may not exist.

What is the Spinach Test proposed by Enoch?

It suggests that happiness about one's upbringing in moral beliefs implies commitment to their objectivity.

According to Bentham, how should actions be evaluated?

Based on their impact on happiness and the tendency to augment or diminish it.

What is Mill's definition of happiness in utilitarianism?

Happiness is defined as pleasure and the absence of pain.

What are Kant's perfect duties?

Obligations that have no exceptions, like refraining from suicide.

What does Kant's Formula of Universal Law require?

That one should act only according to a maxim that can be willed as a universal law.

What is the principle of utility according to Bentham?

It states that actions are right if they promote happiness and wrong if they produce pain.

What does Kamm critique about consequentialism?

She argues it may justify inherently bad actions if they yield better overall outcomes.

What is Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia?

Eudaimonia refers to happiness or flourishing, the ultimate goal of human life.

What does virtue ethics emphasize?

The cultivation of character and virtues rather than adherence to rules or consequences.

What does care ethics focus on?

The importance of care, relationships, and context in moral decision-making.

What does Ross argue about moral duties?

That they arise from various relationships and circumstances, leading to prima facie duties.

What is a prima facie duty according to Ross?

Duties that are conditional and can be overridden by other more compelling duties.

What is the distinction between doing vs. allowing?

It explores the moral relevance of performing an action that causes harm vs. allowing harm to occur.

What does the empirical argument claim about moral disagreement?

That disagreement in moral judgments implies they're not apprehensions of objective truths.

What is the significant feature of care ethics?

It critiques dominant theories for neglecting the moral significance of care and emotions.

How does Kamm view the evaluation of moral judgments?

She believes it should also consider the nature of actions, not just their outcomes.

What does the ethics of care reject in moral theories?

The sharp split between the public and private, arguing that care is a societal value.

According to Mackie, what is the skepticism about moral objectivity?

That claims to objective moral judgments are false and moral values aren't objective.

What is the nature of ethical pluralism?

It recognizes multiple distinct grounds for moral duties, as proposed by Ross.

What does Enoch's view contribute to meta-ethics?

It argues for the appearance of moral objectivity as suggesting morality is indeed objective.

How does Aristotle define virtue?

As a mean between two extremes, representing a balance in character.

What is Kant's distinction between perfect and imperfect duties?

Perfect duties admit no exceptions, while imperfect duties allow for discretion.

What is the role of phronesis in virtue ethics?

Phronesis is practical wisdom necessary for applying virtues correctly in contexts.

What does the principle of impartiality in care ethics critique?

It critiques the neglect of particular relationships in abstract reasoning.

What is the relationship between happiness and moral actions in utilitarianism?

Actions are right if they maximize overall happiness, not limited to personal gain.

What does the Doing vs. Allowing distinction question?

Whether there is a morally relevant difference between causing harm and allowing it.

What is the significance of moral objectivity in ethics?

It suggests that moral values exist independently of human beliefs and practices.

What does moral subjectivism claim?

Moral truths depend on individual opinion or feeling.

What is the significance of autonomy in Kantian ethics?

It refers to the capacity to legislate moral laws oneself, central to moral action.

What does virtue ethics aim to achieve?

It seeks to develop virtuous character traits essential for moral decisions.

What are some criticisms of utilitarianism?

It may justify immoral actions and lead to counterintuitive moral conclusions.

What is the premise of cultural relativism?

Different societies have their own moral codes, making moral truths relative.

How does Ross's pluralism relate to utilitarianism and deontology?

It addresses their limitations by allowing for multiple grounds of moral duty.

What is the main idea of moral skepticism?

That individuals cannot have solid knowledge about moral truths.

What does Kamm's critique of consequentialism highlight?

The potential justification of inherently bad actions based on outcomes.

How does Aristotle's definition of happiness relate to ethics?

Eudaimonia represents the ultimate end that ethics aims to understand and achieve.

What role do emotions play in care ethics?

Emotions like empathy are crucial for moral reasoning and attending to needs.

What does Kant's categorical imperative signify?

It represents unconditional moral law that must guide ethical actions.

What kind of principles does Ross's ethical framework involve?

It includes several prima facie duties that individuals need to navigate.

How does care ethics challenge traditional moral theories?

By emphasizing the importance of relationships and care over abstract principles.

Why is the integration of care and justice important?

It acknowledges that both care and justice contribute to a comprehensive moral framework.

What are some examples of prima facie duties identified by Ross?

Fidelity, reparation, gratitude, beneficence, and non-maleficence.

What do Kamm's arguments suggest about moral judgments?

That they should consider the nature of actions and principles involved.

What is the distinction between normative and descriptive claims?

Normative claims make recommendations about what ought to be done, while descriptive claims report how things are.

What does moral relativism argue?

That there are no objective moral truths; moral beliefs differ across cultures.

How does virtue ethics provide guidance for moral action?

By deriving v-rules from the virtues aimed at cultivating goodness.

What distinguishes deontology from consequentialism?

Deontology focuses on duties and principles rather than outcomes.

What is the primary question of metaethics?

It is concerned with the nature and existence of moral values.

What does the ethics of care emphasize about individual roles?

It posits that individuals are fundamentally relational and interdependent.

How does the concept of duty proper function in Ross's view?

It determines which prima facie duty is most compelling in a specific situation.

What does consequentialism prioritize in moral judgments?

The consequences or outcomes of actions.

What is the core focus of virtue ethics?

The development of moral character and virtuous traits.

How does moral objectivity counter moral skepticism?

By asserting that moral truths exist independently of our perceptions.

What does the Spinach Test reveal about moral beliefs?

It indicates a person's commitment to the objective correctness of their moral views.

What are the main implications of Mackie's Error Theory?

It claims that all assertions of objective moral judgments are false.

What role does phronesis play in virtue ethics according to Hursthouse?

It is essential for making sound moral decisions based on virtues.

What does the principle of utility imply about moral actions?

That actions are right if they increase overall happiness and reduce pain.

What does Kant argue about moral duties and their absoluteness?

That moral laws must hold universally without exceptions.

What are the two main formulations of Kant's categorical imperative?

The Formula of Universal Law and the Formula of Humanity.

How does Kamm critique the evaluation of moral judgments solely on states of affairs?

She argues that this neglects the importance of individual actions and moral intent.

What challenge does care ethics pose to abstract reasoning?

It emphasizes that emotions and relationships are vital to moral reasoning.

What does Mackie's argument from queerness suggest about moral values?

If they existed, they would be strange and atypical compared to other values.

How does Ross's pluralism address conflicting duties?

It recognizes that duties can conflict and require judgment to resolve.

What is a major critique of characteristic forms of consequentialism?

They may permit actions considered immoral if they lead to better outcomes.

What does the relational aspect of care ethics emphasize in moral situations?

It focuses on the needs and responsibilities towards particular individuals.

How do ethical frameworks influence moral decision-making?

They provide structured approaches to resolve ethical dilemmas and guide actions.

What does the Ring of Gyges thought experiment suggest about justice?

It questions whether people would still act justly when free from consequences.

What is the relevance of objective values in moral discourse as proposed by Enoch?

They serve as compelling reasons for considering morality as objective.

What are the fundamental elements of virtue according to virtue ethics?

Character, context, and the capability to make morally sound decisions.

What is the function of moral skepticism in the discourse of ethics?

To question the existence of objective moral truths and challenge moral certainties.

How does Aristotle's notion of character relate to ethics?

Character shapes moral behavior and guides individuals toward ethical actions.

What does care ethics reject regarding the separation of individual responsibilities?

It argues against the notion that care is solely personal and not socially inherent.