Ethics and Good Life Exam 2

What is conscience (Aquinas)?

The application of knowledge to a particular action to determine if it is right or wrong.

What kind of knowledge does conscience use?

Knowledge of moral right and wrong (learned moral understanding + habits).

What are the two forms of conscience?

before action and after action

What is before-action conscience?

• Helps you choose what to do

• Prevents wrongdoing

• Based on learned moral knowledge

• used before acting to decide what is right or wrong.

What is after-action conscience?

• Evaluates what you already did

• Produces guilt/remorse

• “Accuses” the person after the fact

• judges actions after they are done and produces remorse.

Which conscience causes remorse?

After-action conscience.

Which is more important: before or after action conscience according to Aquinas?

BEFORE action is more important (prevents wrongdoing)

What are three features of conscience?

Universal, autonomous, and commands “do good, avoid evil.”

DETERMINISM

Everything is caused by prior events and could not be otherwise

What does determinism say about choice?

Choice is an illusion because everything is predetermined.

Schall’s argument

• Determinism may explain the past

• But it fails to explain moral choice now/future

What is Schall’s critique of determinism?

It explains past events but fails to explain present moral responsibility and future choice.

Moral problem in regards to determinism

• No real praise or blame

• No real responsibility

• Gratitude becomes meaningless

Why does determinism undermine praise and blame?

Because people could not have acted differently.

Why does determinism make gratitude meaningless?

Because actions are not freely chosen.

What is libertarian free will?

The belief that humans can freely choose actions not fully determined.

What is agent causation?

Humans can initiate new chains of events through their own agency.

What is hard determinism?

The belief that every action is fully determined.

What is PAP?

An action is free only if the person could have done otherwise.

What is evil for Kant?

Choosing to act against moral law even when you know it.

Is evil natural for Kant?

No — it is a free choice, not a biological trait.

What are Kant’s two springs of action?

Self-love and respect for moral law.

What makes an action good for Kant?

When moral law is prioritized over self-love.

What makes an action evil for Kant?

When self-love is prioritized over moral law.

What is “propensity to evil”?

• Humans tend toward selfishness

• But still responsible because it’s chosen

• A human tendency toward wrongdoing that is still freely chosen.

how can evil be overcome?

• Not just learning rules

• Requires “reordering” priorities: moral law first

What is the Two Wolves story?

Humans have an internal struggle between good and evil, and whichever is “fed” wins.

Kant’s connection to the two wolves?

Feeding the moral wolf = prioritizing moral law over self-love

What does the Seville Declaration argue?

Humans are not biologically programmed for violence.

What does Selvile Declaration reject?

Biological determinism of aggression or war.

What is Bregman’s main thesis?

Humans are naturally cooperative and not inherently evil.

What is veneer theory?

The belief that civilization is a thin mask over human selfishness or evil.

Why does Bregman reject veneer theory?

Evidence shows humans are naturally cooperative.

What is “survival of the friendliest”?

Humans evolved through cooperation and friendliness, not aggression.

What is a homo puppy?

A model of humans as social, cooperative, and learning-oriented beings.

Why are humans successful according to Bregman?

Because of cooperation, communication, and social learning.

What is the categorical imperative?

A universal moral law that applies regardless of consequences.

What is the universal law formulation?

Act only according to rules you could will everyone to follow.

What is the humanity formula?

Treat people as ends in themselves, not merely as means.

What does “treating someone as a means” mean?

Using them for personal benefit without respecting their autonomy.

What is the Golden Rule?

Do unto others as you want done to you.

How is CI different from the Golden Rule?

CI is universal and rational; Golden Rule is personal and subjective.

What is Kant’s axe murderer example?

You must tell the truth even if it puts someone in danger. or you can shut the door

Why must you tell the truth?

Because moral duty matters more than consequences.