Relativism; Existentialism; Divine Command Theory; Natural Law Theory; Egoism; Utilitarianism

Meta-ethical Relativism

The nature of morality is that there is no objective way of determining moral standards and moral principles.

Divine Command Theory

a theory asserting that the morally right action is the one that God commands

Euthyphro Dilemma

Is what is morally good commanded by God because it is morally good, or is it morally good because it is commanded by God?

Premise(s)

A claim that provides reasons to support a conclusion. Truth and falsity apply to these

Validity

Property of an argument where the Conclusion follows from the premises. IF the premises were true, the conclusion would have to be true. Validity is separate from the truth or falsity of the premises. No holes in the structure of the argument.

ethnocentric

evaluating other cultures according to the standards of one's own culture

cultural differences argument

1) Different cultures have different moral codes. 2) Therefore, there is no objective truth in morality; morality is relative to one's culture.

This is an INVALID argument

Prescriptive (Normative) Cultural Relativism

the view that it is wrong to judge or interfere with the moral beliefs and practices of cultures that operate with a different moral framework to one's own, that what goes on in a society should only be judged by the norms of that society.

universalism

The claim that ethical standards or principles are universal is an ancient commonplace of many ethical traditions and of contemporary political life, particularly in appeals to universal human rights. Divine command theory supports universalism. Plato is one of the greatest defenders of universalism.

conflict between human rights and cultural relativism

2 ways we can run from freedom (according to deBeauvoir)

2 Challenges/Criticisms of Cultural Relativism

Cultural Relativism

Right and wrong depend upon the norms and practices of one's culture.

there is no universal truth in ethics; there are only the various cultural codes.

Natural Law Theory (3 main points)

2 challenges for Natural Law Theory

Strongest points that can be raised in favor of Cultural Relativism

Strongest points that can be raised in favor of Divine Command Theory

Strongest points that can be raised in favor of Natural Law theory

Normative Moral Theories

Two types of freedom (de Beauvoir)

1.) Natural Freedom 2) Moral Freedom

Moral person according to de Beauvoir

Moral person does not run from

their own freedom. Moral person acts in ways that recognize that our freedom is connected

with the freedom of others

being-in-itself

Facticity; given conditions; past events; labels others put upon us; objecthood; things

being-for-itself

freedom; transcendence; subjectivity

Martin Luther King and Natural Law Theory

Know 2 points about King's use of Natural Law Theory. For example, 1. King grounds his objections to segregation laws in natural law theory. 2. For King, we are able to recognize unjust laws and practices because these laws contradict the natural order and they violate God's law.

Dual nature of humans (for de Beauvoir)

We are both being-in-itself and being-for-itself

supererogatory

above and beyond the call of duty

psychological egoism

the descriptive theory that people always act in their own self interest. This is NOT an ethical theory.

ethical egoism

an ethical theory that states an action is right if and only if it is in the moral agent's best long-term self interest. Morally right action= the action that is in your best long term self interest

If you support psychological egoism does that entail you support ethical egoism?

No. you could think we are self-interested by nature but that we SHOULD be divine command theorists or natural law theorists.

Euthyphro Dilemma: What are the problems for each interpretation of the dilemma?

One interpretation: God's commands are arbitrary. The other interpretation introduces a standard that doesn't depend on God.

act vs. rule utilitarianism

Act utilitarians focus on the consequences individual actions; rule utilitarians focus on the rules that will bring about the best consequences

Ring of Gyges story

This story of a shepherd who becomes invisible and commits murder to gain power. Plato's brothers tell the story to try to convince Socrates to defend his view that we should be just even if we could get away with being unjust. They are playing devil's advocate and trying to get Socrates to prove why it's better to be just rather than just appearing to be just.

Does Plato support Divine command theory? Ethical egoism?

No. Also no.

Bad samaritan law

laws impose a legal duty to assist others in peril through intervening directly or notifying authorities

Name two Consequentialist moral theories

Ethical egoism; utilitarianism

Karen Musalo's position on cultural relativism vs. human rights

She supports human rights. Her work as a human rights lawyer has caused her to learn that it is often those in power who are speaking for a culture and that doesn't mean everyone in the culture will agree with those in power.

2 objections to Utilitarianism raised by Mill

see reading (orange highlights)

How can utilitarians respond to the criticism that the theory goes against common sense?

See chapter 8 and Dr. Miller's slides (they have 3 responses:

If the majority of New Jersey residents would be happy with increased speed limits of 125 mph, are utilitarians committed to saying we should raise the speed limit?

No. They would look at the degree of happiness for those who support the change; the risks associated with this change; potential suffering that would occur from the change. They would also consider loss of animal life that could occur from the increased speeds.

Do most utilitarians support legalizing marijuana?

yes--given our current data and information, most support legalization. If data changes, they would revise their position. For example, if we come to learn that legalization leads to more suffering and harm than good, they might change their position.

Did John Stuart Mill support women's rights and abolishing slavery? Did he support the development of child labor laws? Did he support animal rights?

Yes...yes....yes.....yes He worked hard for legal reforms that would benefit society.

Singer's pond example: what are two implications he makes from the example?

it is wrong not to assist when it is in our power to do so and we will not give up anything morally significant. Many acts that we consider optional are actually morally require

Does distance (proximity) matter for Singer?

No. we are just as obligated to help even if the person is in a different state or a different country.

What's another word for prescriptive?

normative

What is the main objection to utilitarianism?

The theory could permit injustices and violations of rights.

Affirmative action is correct if my society claims it is correct. Which theory would support this position?

Cultural relativism

Does a cultural relativist think morality is meaningless?

No.

Modified Divine Command Theory

Supports divine command theory but adds more details about the loving nature of God. Attempts to deal with the criticism that the theory might support actions such as murder and torture, if God commanded those actions.

Thrasymachus' views on justice

Might makes right. Justice is nothing more than what those in power say is just. It's better to only APPEAR to be just rather than actually be JUST.

Non-Consequentialist Theories (know two examples)

Divine Command Theory; Natural Law theory; Universal Human Rights

Two reasons for skepticism about an ethical theory grounded in existentialism (from Jonathan Crowe reading)

1.) existentialism is only descriptive 2.) existentialism is subjective

Does James Rachels think that differences in customs always entails a difference in moral values?

No.

Utilitarianism is a Consequentialist and Prescriptive Theory (T/F)

True. It is both consequentialist (focused on outcome) and Prescriptive (states what we should do and proposes standards to follow).

harm principle (Mill)

the actions of individuals should only be limited to prevent harm to other individuals. Mill supports individual rights and liberties (free speech, freedom of religion, freedom of press)