Module 1: Philosophical Questions and Methods

Ethics

Thomson reports that when she asks people about the trolley case, most people feel that

it is permissible to turn the trolley.

The surgeon case is similar to the trolley case, because both cases are about a choice to

take one life to allow five people to live.

Although both stories are about sacrificing one life to save five lives, most people have different feelings about the trolley case and the surgeon case.

True

Consider the following question:

"Is it wrong to support capital punishment, even if serves as an effective deterrent to violent crime?"

According to Frankena, this would be an example of:

Normative inquiry

Consider the following question:

"Is there any meaningful sense in which it's factually correct to say that capital punishment is wrong, or is it simply a matter of personal opinion?"

According to Frankena, this would be an example of:

Metaethical inquiry

Consider the following question:

"Does the available evidence show that capital punishment really deters violent crime?"

According to Frankena, this would be an example of:

Descriptive inquiry

Socratic approach to moral questions

1. Follow reason, not emotions

2. Think for yourself

3. Never do what is immoral

Ethics

branch of philosophy dealing with morality, moral problems, and moral judgments

Descriptive inquiry

Tries to explain moral beliefs and actions by observing them. It's about understanding what people think is right or wrong without saying if it actually is.

Metaethical inquiry

Examines the meaning, origins, or justification of moral beliefs. It questions whether moral claims can be true or false and explores the foundations of ethical principles.

Normative inquiry

Asks what actions are morally right or wrong and what standards we should use to determine this. It focuses on establishing moral principles and guidelines.