Phil 4- Intro Ethics Exam #2

Virtue Ethics

developing good character- strive to achieve the virtues 

Deontology

Follow the rules regardless of the outcome- do not do wrong actions

Consequentialism

Do what has the best consequences- Utilitarianism

Aristotle’s supreme good (Book I)

All activity ultimately aims at flourishing, there may be subordinate ends but the highest goal, the supreme good, is final and self-sufficient

The function of man (Book I)

rational activity

Function argument (Book I)

Everything has a function, a thing is considered good when it performs its function well —> the function of a human is rational activity, then the supreme good is performing rational activity well, which is performing it virtuously

Aristotle’s virtue (Book II)

the virtues are not innate, habit is crucial, we need to act according to the right rule and need practical wisdom

Doctrine of the Mean (Book II)

virtue is a middle point between two extremes, we must understand it as an explanation of what virtue is, not strictly as a rule to guide action

Kant’s opinion on moral worth

Moral worth is voluntary, rational commitment to duty- doing right things simply bc they are right, traits/talents are only good if guided by good will

Hypothetical imperative 

Conditional rule- “if you want Y, do X” 

Categorical imperative

A rule you must follow no matter what, because it is morally required- morality is a categorical imperative bc it is simply about doing what is right and applies to everyone without contradiction

First formulation of CI

Only act on rules that everyone should follow without contradiction

Second formulation of CI

Every rational being treats their own rational nature as valuable (an end in itself)- Treat every person as having inherent worth, don’t use people as tools to get what you want