PAR 115 Final

Philosophy

Study of fundamental questions about existence knowledge values and reason

Philo

Love

Sophia

Wisdom

Mythology

Explained the world through gods and answered why

Thales

First philosopher believed ultimate reality was a basic element fire air water earth

Metaphysics

Branch of philosophy studying existence and reality

Monism

Belief that only one substance or entity exists

Dualism

Belief that two substances or entities exist

Epistemology

Branch of philosophy studying knowledge

Rationalism

Knowledge is innate

Empiricism

Knowledge comes from the senses

Skepticism

Everything can be doubted

Ethics

Study of correct human behavior

Descriptive Ethics

Describes how people do behave

Prescriptive Normative Ethics

Describes how people should behave

Moral

Relates to right and wrong

Amoral

Humans acting without moral consideration

Nonmoral

Non humans or objects that cannot make moral decisions

Aesthetics

Study of art and beauty

Logic

Study of correct reasoning

Aristotle Logic

Father of logic

Argument

Group of statements with truth value

Premise

Statement supporting the conclusion

Conclusion

Main claim of an argument

Deductive Argument

If premises are true the conclusion must be true

Valid Argument

Conclusion logically follows from premises

Sound Argument

Valid argument with all true premises

Invalid Argument

Premises can be true while conclusion is false

Inductive Argument

Conclusion is probable not guaranteed

Strong Inductive Argument

If premises are true the conclusion is probably true

Weak Inductive Argument

If premises are true the conclusion is probably false

Consequentialism

Morality based on outcomes

Egoism

Morality based on self interest

Psychological Egoism

People do act in their own self interest

Ethical Egoism

People should act in their own self interest

Ayn Rand

Argued rational self interest prevents conflict

Altruism

Acting for others good even at your own expense

Utilitarianism

Best action produces greatest good for the greatest number

Jeremy Bentham

Founder of utilitarianism hedonistic pleasure equals good

John Stuart Mill

Improved utilitarianism valued mental pleasure over physical

Act Utilitarianism

Evaluate each action individually

Rule Utilitarianism

Follow rules that maximize happiness

Problems with Utilitarianism

Motives do not count and outcomes cannot be predicted

Peter Singer

Supports sentientism and opposes speciesism

Non Consequentialism Deontology

Morality based on duty rather than outcomes

Act Non Consequentialism

Intuition determines right action

Rule Non Consequentialism

Follow moral rules

Divine Command Theory

Morality based on Gods commands

Kants Duty Ethics

Morality based on duty and good will

Maxim

Rule describing an action that can be universalized

Categorical Imperative

Universal moral law

Perfect Duty

Must always be followed

Imperfect Duty

Requires judgment about when to apply

Problems with Kant

Conflicting duties and no exceptions

Virtue Ethics

Focuses on character rather than rules or consequences

Aristotle Virtue Ethics

Believed everything has a telos purpose

Telos of Humans

To reason

Golden Mean

Virtue is the moderation between extremes

Eudaimonia

Flourishing or true happiness

Environmental Ethics

Study of moral duties toward nature

Animal Ethics

Study of how animals should be treated

Anthropocentrism

Humans have highest moral value

Zoocentrism

Humans and animals both have moral status

Biocentrism

All living things have moral value

Speciesism

Unjustified bias toward ones own species

Sentientism

Only beings capable of mental states deserve moral concern

Euthanasia

Good death ending life to relieve suffering

Active Euthanasia

Directly causing death

Passive Euthanasia

Allowing death by withholding treatment

Voluntary Euthanasia

Patient chooses it

Non Voluntary Euthanasia

Patient cannot choose

Involuntary Euthanasia

Against the patients wishes

NC Euthanasia Law

No active euthanasia allowed