Philosophy exam 2

What are the two principles of justice?

1. The Principle of Equal Liberty: Each person has an equal right to basic liberties (freedom of speech, religion, etc) provided that this does not infringe upon others rights

2. The Difference Principle: Social and economic inequalities must be arranged to benefit the least advantaged members of society

Who wrote the two principles of justice and where were they written?

John Rawls in A Theory of Justice

Explanation of the Two Principles of Justice

Rawl’s theory is a form of “justice as fairness”. The first principle guarantees basic rights for everyone and should be as extensive as possible. The second aims to improve the situation of societies poorest, ensuring that inequality works to their advantage. Any benefits that arise from inequalities, such as increased productivity or innovation, should be shared with those who are the most disadvantaged. These concepts emphasize fairness over social status and are important in shaping policies that ensure basic human rights while addressing disparities.

Example of the two principles of justice

A progressive tax system where those with higher incomes pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes instead of the less fortunate paying high taxes. These funds can be used to benefit the least advantaged through social programs.

What is Ethics of Care?

This theory emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships and the ethical significance of caring for others. It centers on the importance of empathy and caring in determining moral conduct. It also emphasizes viewing situations from multiple perspectives and prioritizing attentiveness in ethical decision making

Who wrote ethics of care, and where was it written?

Eva Feder Kittay in The Ethics of Care, Dependence, and Disability

Explanation of Ethics of Care

Unlike traditional ethical theories that focus on universal principles like justice and rights, this theory stresses empathy, compassion, and nurturing of relationships. It challenges the idea that morality is best understood as a set of rules or principles, instead arguing that caring for others and understanding the needs of individuals are fundamental to ethical decision-making.

Example of Ethics of Care

In a healthcare setting, an ethical decision might involve prioritizing patient relationships, showing concern for their emotional well-being, and ensuring that their needs are met with compassion. This is an issue we see with “bed side manner” not being very strong in todays healthcare systems, so if doctors followed ethics of care more often then patients would leave their treatments more satisfied.

What are the 5 faces of oppression?

1. exploitation: taking advantage of the labor of others for profit

2. marginalization: pushing groups or individuals to the edges of society, often denying them access to rights or resources

3. powerlessness: the lack of power and the inability to make decisions about ones life and actions

4. cultural imperialism: the imposition of one cultures values and norms over others

5. violence: the systemic use of violence or threat against a group

Who wrote the five faces of oppression and where?

Iris Marion Young in Justice and the Politics of Difference

Example of the 5 faces of oppression

A multinational corporation paying their workers in developing countries extremely low wages while the company profits immensely from their labor

Who wrote Effects and Motives of Vice, and where?

Effects Vice: Julia Driver in Uneasy Virtue, Ernest Sosa in Virtue Epistemology, Miranda Fricker in Epistemic Injustice
Motives Vice: Heather Battaly in Virtue

What are Effects and Motives of Vice?

A vice is generally defined as a bad habit, a moral failing, or an immoral action/character trait. Vices are considered ethically wrong and go against societal norms, and are often motivated by pleasure/gratification even if it harms oneself or others.

Effects: The harmful consequences that come from certain behaviors or actions deemed morally wrong, such as corruption or greed

Motives: The internal desires or intentions behind immoral behavior, such as selfishness or cruelty

Explanation of the effects and motives of vice

Understanding both the effects and the motives of vice is crucial to distinguishing between acts that are harmful and why they are done. Focusing on motives helps address the root cause of vices, while recognizing effects helps in understanding their impact on society.

Example of vices

Greed is a vice that can lead to the effect of inequality in society, as individuals hoard resources while others go without. The motive is often self-interest and desire for wealth or power

Who wrote Testimonial Injustice, and where?

Miranda Fricker in Epistemic Injustice

What is Testimonial Injustice?

Occurs when a speaker is unfairly discredited or distrusted because of prejudice about their identity, such as their race, gender, or class. This kind of injustice harms not only the individual by denying them credibility but also the broader community by depriving it of knowledge.

Testimonial Injustice explanation

This focuses on how social prejudices influence whether a person’s knowledge is taken seriously or dismissed. It is particularly harmful because it undermines the persons ability to contribute to knowledge and discourse. The concept stresses the importance of equality in social and professional settings

Example of Testimonial Injustice

A woman’s report of workplace harassment may be dismissed or disbelieved because of biases about her gender, leading to testimonial injustice

Card-Carrying Feminist definition

A Card-Carrying Feminist refers to someone who publicly identifies as a feminist and actively engages in feminist activities or movements

Who wrote the card carrying feminist?

Miranda Fricker in Epistemic Injustice

Definition of Card-Carrying Feminist

A Card-Carrying Feminist is someone who consciously rejects sexist beliefs but still unconsciously shows bias—such as giving less credibility to women political candidates compared to men. Even though she intellectually embraces feminist principles, her perceptions are still shaped by lingering stereotypes absorbed from society.

Example of card-carrying feminist

A person who actively participates in women’s rights marches, engages in discussions about gender equality, and supports womens initiatives could be considered a “card carrying feminist.”

Who wrote Moral Anger, and where?

Myisha Cherry

What is Moral Anger?

Moral Anger is a feeling of indignation or outrage triggered by perceived injustice or immortality

Moral Anger explanation

This emotional response can serve as a motivator for moral action, pushing individuals to challenge wrongdoing. It can be seen as a moral emotion that signals when something is wrong and needs to be addressed. While it can be powerful, moral anger must be controlled, as unchecked anger can lead tor ash actions or an inability to engage in constructive dialogue

Example of Moral Anger

An individual might feel moral anger upon witnessing the abuse of power, such as a governments violation of human rights, and may be motivated tot ake political action or advocacy

What is the Sympathy Gap?

The Sympathy Gap refers to the phenomenon where people feel more empathy or sympathy for individuals they know or who are similar to them, and less for those who are distant or perceived as different

Who wrote The Sympathy Gap, and where?

Myisha Cherry in The Errors & Limitations of Our Anger-Evaluating Ways

Explanation of The Sympathy Gap

This concept explains why people ay be indifferent to large-scale tragedies (ex: natural disasters or global issues) while feelings deep sorrow for more personal or smaller-scale events. Understanding the sympathy gap helps identify why certain causes may struggle to gain traction or support int he public sphere, as empathy often does not scale proportionally to the number of victims.

Example of the sympathy gap

A person might feel much more sympathy for a friend who loses their job than for the hundreds of workers in another country who face similar unemployement due to global economic changes

Card Carrying Feminist Importance

The Card-Carrying Feminist shows how someone can unintentionally commit testimonial injustice even without bad motives.