PHL 154 1st Midterm Study Guide

supererogatory

something that is above and beyond the call of duty

-extra/super, optional

obligatory

something that we are morally required to do

-must

Singer’s Argument

“if it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we ought to morally do it”

“Drowning child” example

pulling a drowning child out of the water is required, although your clothes will be muddy, but that is insignificant to the drowning child

-if you agree with this, then you agree with Singer’s premise 1

utilitarianism

the moral theory that says we are morally required to do whatever produces the greatest sum total of pleasure minus pain

consequentialism

the consequences of our actions are th only thing that really matters

aggregationism

one outcome is better than another, if its sum of (good - bad) for people is greater

hedonism

the only intrinsically good in life is please and intrinsically bad is pain

-impact of higher amount

-to determine what is good or bad is the account of human welfare

valid

when the premises and conclusion are related to each other in the right way

-can have: true premises+true conclusion, false premise(s) + false conclusion

-imagine

invalid

because the argument doesn’t have the right structure

-only has: true premises and a false conclusion

valid argument structure

1. All A are B

2. C is an A

3. Therefore, C is B

invalid argument structure

1. All A are B

2. C is an A

3. Therefore, C is an A

modus ponens

1. if p, then q

2. p

3. Therefore, q

modus tollens

1. if p, then q

2. not q

3. Therefore, not p

denying the antecedent

1. If p, then q

2. not p

3. Therefore, not q

affirming the consequent

1. if p, then q

2. q

3. Therefore, p

sound deductive argument

valid arguments + true premises

-which means true conclusion

-invalid arguments can be sound because valid=sound

unsound deductive argument

valid argument + false premise(s)

descriptive claims

a claim about how the world is, was, or will be

prescriptive moral claims

is should or shouldn’t be

-ought, should, must, obligated, morally required

evaluative moral claims

says what is good or bad, right or wrong

-good, right, just

Steps for Argument Reconstruction

1. identity the conclusion

2. identify the premises

3. make sure that stripped away extra material