Morality - Unit 1 Test

Morality

The set of values and principles that guide someone's choices about what kind of person they are becoming and which point to the meaning that life has for this person.

Faith Based

Moral System Distinctions:
-Divine Revelation
-Reason & Observation

Secular

Moral System Distinctions:
-Reason & Observation

Objective

When the truth of something doesn't change. Truth, action, etc. is independent and isn't someone else's opinion.

Subjective

Truth can change and is dependent on someone or something else.

Relativism

There are no moral principles or rules which are universal or apply to everyone, and it is inappropriate or wrong for anyone to judge another culture's behavior based on their own moral rules.

-Subjective

-Secular Ethic

No Science, No Knowledge

Why Relativism is Appealing:
-Hard science is the only source of knowledge.
-If it can't be proven through science, we can't know it.
-If it can't be proven through science, it doesn't matter.
-Flawed science can't prove everything.

Circumstances Make a Difference

Why Relativism is Appealing:
-Level of responsibility can change.
-Can this change if the thing itself is good or bad.

Virtues of Tolerance and Compassion

-Tolerance:

--Good in theory.

--What does this actually mean?

-Compassion:

--Correction.

Self Contradictory

Why is Relativism Mistaken:
-One part of the statement of belief goes directly against another part of the statement of belief.
-There are no moral principles or rules which are universal or apply to everyone.

Universal Rule

It is inappropriate or wrong for anyone to judge another culture's behavior based on their own moral rules.

Can't Really Be Practiced

Why Relativism is Mistaken:
-Every single morality is acceptable.
-Never impose your own moral rules on other people.
-Commits the relativist to impossible action or attitudes.

Objective

What kind of morality does Aristotle have? (Objective or Subjective)

Human Nature

-Four Causes

-Telos

-Happiness

-Virtue

-Objective

Morality - Happiness ≠ Pleasure

(Aristotle)

Material, Formal, Efficient, Final

Aristotle's 4 Causes

Material Cause

What something is made of.

Formal Cause

The form or essence of a thing (idea/plan for something).

Efficient Cause

According to Aristotle, the force that transforms a thing (creator).

Final Cause/Telos

The purpose or end goal of something.

Character

Fairly stable sets of attitudes, opinions, and dispositions that result in fairly stable patterns or ways of acting and reacting.
-Rational/Non-Rational
-Appetitive/Vegetative

Rational

Reasoning, Judging, Logic (thinking).

Non-Rational

Appetitive and Vegetative

Appetitive

Emotions, Desires, Instincts.

Vegetative

Involuntary functions (ex: breathing, blinking, etc.)

Virtuous, Continent, Incontinent, Vicious

Character Types

Vicious

Inability to know right from wrong. (Ex: Thanos)

Incontinent

Overwhelming weakness toward pleasure. (Ex: Tony Stark)
-Knows something is wrong, but wants to do it so bad.

Continent

Ability to overcome desire for too much pleasure. (Ex: Tony Stark)
-Doesn't want to do the right thing, but does it anyway.

Virtuous

Ability to know what is right, the desire to do the right thing, and the willingness to act on that knowledge. (Ex: Captain America)

Virtue

Habituated ability to judge rationally the appropriate way to behave or respond in a particular situation and to feel or desire appropriately.

-Two vices per virtue:

Ex: Confidence

1. Bragging (too much)

2. Danger/No fear (too little)

Aristotle and Catholicism

Aristotle was pre Christian.

Agreements:

-Teleology

-Emphasis on happiness

Disagreements:

-Humility

-DOES NOT have a universal concern for people

Immanuel Kant

-Secular
-Enlightenment or Age of Reason
-Objective or Subjective? (Both)
--Objective Morality

Morality and Happiness (Kant)

Morality ≠ Happiness - Pleasure

-Virtuous acts do not necessarily lead to happiness.

-Happiness itself is not always a good thing.

Categorical Imperative

*Moral rules are always absolute commands.

-Always have to do the right thing no matter what.

Two Formulations:

1. Formula of Universal Law

2. Formula of the End in Itself

Formula of Universal Law

Could or should everyone believe and act this way.

Formula of the End in Itself

Cannot use or objectify people.
-Using people is wrong.

Good Will

-Intention

Free From:

--Desire for reward

--Fear of punishment

--Emotions

--Essentially impossible to tell if an act is positively morally good.

Secular Morality

Reason and Observation

Faith-Based Morality

-Divine Revelation
-Reason and Observation

Happiness

What is Humanity's telos?

Marginalized

Pushed to the side of society.

Habit

A repetitive act performed by a particular individual.
-Practice makes permanent.

Aristotle's Advice for Acquiring Virtues

-The virtuous person.
-Avoid the worse vice.
-Be self aware.
-Seeking pleasure.
-The bent stick analogy.

Kant's Basis of Morality

-Good will.
-Good without qualification.
-Aristotle's virtues are morally neutral.

What Makes a Will Good

-Intention

Free From:

-Desire for reward.

-Fear of punishment.

-Emotions.

-Essentially impossible to tell if an act is positively morally good.

(Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.)

Right

-A developing understanding.
--Society
--Protecting
--Providing

Protecting Right

No outside interferences.

Providing Right

Public School
-State has to provide it.

John Locke

-Natural laws.

-Intrinsic to us. (know/should know)

--Intrinsic: naturally occurring.

John Rawls

-Social contract.
-Free and rational persons.
-"Veil of Ignorance".

Social Contract

Rules we make up to govern our society.

Rawls' Rights Principle

A person can do whatever they want as long as it doesn't interfere with another person's ability to do whatever they want.

Rights in Conflict

We must discern the fundamentality of each right.
-Right to life.

Rights Ethics and Christianity Relationship

Agreements:

-Inherent dignity.

-Rights are prior to laws.

-Governmental protection.

-Power balance.

Disagreements:

-Contractual.

-Equality v. equity.

Utilitarianism

-Consequentialist philosophy.

-Subjective.

Morality = Happiness = Pleasure

Consequentialist Morality

Everything has a consequence. Consequence of an action decides the morality.

Principle of Utility

-The greatest happiness principle.

The three greats:

-The greatest AMOUNT of

-The greatest KIND of happiness

-The greatest NUMBER of people.

Defining Happiness

-"Pleasure and the absence of pain."
-Hierarchy in understanding different pleasures.
-Lower Pleasures.
-Higher Pleasures.
-Disinterested and benevolent spectator.

Lower Pleasure

Short term, physical.

Higher Pleasure

Longer lasting, emotional, intellectual, etc.

Determining the Utility of an Act

How much good or evil this act will produce.
-Add all the good.
-Add all the bad.
-Subtract good and bad.
=utility of the act.
-More bad, bad act.
-More good, good act.

Determining Morality of a Situation

1. Determine the goods.
2. Rank the goods.
3. Determine choices and consequences.
4. Make the best choice.

Utilitarianism and Catholicism

-Incompatible
-Consequences
-Human Dignity