Ethics Exam 2

Priori

things we can come to know by reason alone / things we can come to know without the aid of sense experience 

A posteriori

things we could only come to know with the aid of dense experience

The Categorical Imperative

Act in such a way that your actions could become a law for all of human kind

The Second formulation of the Supreme Moral principle

always treat others as ends in themselves (recognizing other people for having their own goals) and never as a means only 

Hypothetical imperative

a conditional rule of reason stating that an action is necessary only to achieve a specific goal or desire

Duty

An act is morally praiseworthy if and only if the act is motivated by moral duty. 

Good will

having unconditional value in itself rather than through its effects

Function

Everything has a function that can be used as a means to an end

Aristotle’s definition of Virtue (excellence)

the rational, voluntary, and consistent choice of the right action, at the right time, for the right reason

Mean (in relation to what Aristotle says about virtue)

a rational, intermediate disposition between the vices of excess and deficiency regarding emotions and actions

TBS (Ticking Bomb Scenario:

Hypothetical scenario which justifies torture, whether it is acceptable to torture a captured terrorist to reveal the location of an imminent, massive explosion, effectively arguing if torturing one person is justified to save thousands.

Interrogation / Compliance Torture:

Aims to break the victim's will to obtain specific information, acting as a forced betrayal of themselves.

Terroristic/ Punishment Torture

used to intimidate a population or punish individuals, acting as a "pure case" of using a person solely as a means to an end.

Combatants according to Shue:

people who are actively engaged in warfare and direct supply

Noncombatants according to Shue:

Those who are not actively engaged in warfare

The guilty (culpable individuals:

people who are actually responsible for wrongdoing—such as terrorists who possess critical information.

The innocent (non culpable individuals)

people who have no involvement in wrongdoing but might be targeted because torturing them could pressure someone else (e.g., family members of suspects).

The uncertain (Unknown guilt or innocence:

These are individuals whose status is unclear—they might or might not have the information or guilt attributed to them.

Slippery slope argument

a relatively minor action or decision will lead to a chain of events leading to a significant (and usually negative) outcome

Minimal absolutism

specific acts are immoral and are never permissible under any circumstance 

Anti-absolutism

moral rules are not universal or unconditional, some actions may be permissible in the right scenario

Decision procedure

step by step framework to identify and navigate moral procedures, identify stakeholders, facts, ethical procedures, etc. 

The philosophical defense of torture that Shue considers

Torture is permissible in some cases if torture meets universal standards that are more permissible than combat killing. 

Reasons for thinking that torture does not constitute an ‘assault on the defenseless“

Shue’s reasoning for saying that the dedicated terrorist does not have a legitimate form of escape from torture

Explain why Shue believes torture should remain illegal

Because its legality would prohibit the normalization of torture

Explain whether Shue is willing to permit torture and why

it could become morally permissible given the context that it would save thousands of lives and make many people happy.

It would become morally permissible to torture a suspected terrorists family when:

Only if one accepts TBS

Why does Kant think ethics cannot be grounded in a posteriori:

Ethics cannot be only based on prior experience, but need universal accountability

Why does Kant think that morality must be grounded in a priori

Ethics must be able to be universally applied without prior experience

Acting from Duty:

An act is morally praiseworthy if and only if the act is motivated by moral duty

Acting in duty or conformity

If and only if we preform our duty on the basis of some other motive/self seeking principle.

What gives an act or actor true value according to Kant:

The intention and motive of an act

Kant’s argument about why virtues are not good without being guided by good will

Virtues can be used to achieve evil ends

How is the categorical imperative applied to cases?

By testing if an actions underlying maxim can be universalized

How is the second formulation applied to cases?

By evaluating whether an action treats people a a means only.

Likely consequence

Logical consequence

Criticisms of the categorical imparative:

Too rigid, unable to resolve conflicting duties, neglect of emotions

What conditions would make a right action right for Aristotle

It must be done in accordance to stability, its own sake, the mean and the correct circumstances.

Unreasoned virtue

Virtue based theories lack practical definitions of character and vague notions

Real virtue

Virtues do not exist by nature because:

They exist through habituation