Phil 140 Midterm

What is the focus of study in moral philosophy?

Understanding morality and moral reasoning.

What are the three main branches of ethics?

Meta-ethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics.

What does meta-ethics study?

The nature of morality and moral judgments.

What questions are central to normative ethics?

What are the fundamental principles of morality?

What does applied ethics focus on?

Concrete applications of moral principles in specific situations.

How can experiences benefit our understanding of morality?

They help build a moral outlook and improve reasoning.

What separates morality from etiquette?

Morality is about duties and obligations, while etiquette is arbitrary.

Who stated, 'Morality is about what we owe each other'?

T. M. Scanlon.

What does supererogation refer to in moral philosophy?

Acting beyond the call of duty.

What societal consensus do we see regarding moral truths?

Agreement on not needlessly harming innocent people.

Explain the difference between subjective and objective moral truths.

Subjective truths vary by culture; objective truths are universally accepted.

What is the definition of normative ethics?

The study of moral rules and standards.

What is a central question of meta-ethics?

Where does the authority of morality come from?

Name an example of a question in meta-ethics.

Can moral judgments be true or false?

How are arguments structured in formal logic?

Using premises to support a conclusion through deductive reasoning.

What does a logically valid argument require?

The conclusion must follow from the premises if they are true.

What is a contradiction in logical terms?

Two statements that cannot both be true at the same time.

What two components define a sound argument?

It must be valid, and all premises must be true.

What is the purpose of implied premises in an argument?

To create a valid logical structure when some premises are unstated.

What is an example of a logical trap?

Equivocation, where a word is used in multiple senses.

What is the definition of circular reasoning?

When the premises assume the conclusion is true.

What does the doctrine of double effect assert?

Moral responsibility is based on intended effects, not unintended consequences.

How does framing affect reasoning?

Intuitions are influenced by how problems are described.

What is confirmation bias?

The tendency to focus on evidence that supports existing beliefs.

What is the role of thought experiments in moral philosophy?

To test theories and intuitions through hypothetical scenarios.

What is a hasty generalization?

Making a general conclusion from insufficient evidence.

Why is it important to evaluate arguments for soundness?

To ensure conclusions are based on true and valid premises.

How can one evaluate if an argument is logically valid?

By checking if the conclusion logically follows from its premises.

What is a counterexample in moral philosophy?

An example that demonstrates the falsity of a theory.

Why should moral intuitions be scrutinized?

They can sometimes be misleading.

What does universalization examine in moral arguments?

The effects of applying a moral principle universally.

What is the importance of distinguishing fact from value?

To avoid deriving value judgments solely from factual information.

What is an example of a slippery slope argument?

Arguing that legalizing a minor issue will lead to more serious consequences.

What is the primary concern with slippery slope arguments?

They may assume cause-and-effect relationships that are not warranted.

What disorder can results from biases in reasoning?

Logical fallacies.

What defines a good argument?

It must be valid and have all true premises.

How do we evaluate contradictions in arguments?

By assuming premises are true and checking for conflicts.

What must we consider to improve weak arguments?

Identify and strengthen omitted premises.

Reflect on moral arguments: What should you assess?

Identify weaknesses and explore ways to improve them.

What is the significance of reasoning in moral philosophy?

It clarifies complex moral dilemmas and aids decision-making.

How does informal logic differ from formal logic?

It does not rely on strict deduction for valid conclusions.

Who is regarded as the founder of utilitarianism?

Jeremy Bentham

What does the principle of utility (PU) state?

Actions are right as they tend to maximize utility, wrong as they tend to not maximize utility.

How does Bentham define happiness?

Happiness is pleasure and the absence of pain.

What philosophical view does Bentham defend?

Hedonism.

What is hedonism?

The view that happiness is the only thing with intrinsic value.

According to Bentham, how are right actions defined?

Right actions are those that maximize the balance of pleasure over pain.

What is meant by the impartiality in utilitarianism?

The pleasure and pain of each individual matters equally.

What does Bentham's method of aggregation involve?

Adding pleasure and subtracting pain to decide the right action.

What are Bentham's three fundamental convictions?

1. Equality of persons, 2. Pleasures as ultimate goods, 3. Morality based on firm principles.

What is Bentham's argument by elimination?

Defending a theory by showing that all competing theories are unsatisfactory.

What principle does Bentham compare to the principle of utility?

The principle of sympathy and antipathy.

What does the principle of asceticism advocate?

Maximizing pain over pleasure.

How does Bentham view ascetic beliefs?

They are a form of utilitarianism aimed at maximizing pleasure through moral ideals.

What does Mill argue in 'The Subjection of Women'?

A utilitarian defense of the emancipation of women.

What are some consequences of excluding women from professions?

Society loses out on half the potential talent pool.

What is the moral dilemma regarding capital punishment?

Whether the government should use capital punishment.

What steps does utilitarianism suggest for moral dilemmas?

1. Identify options, 2. Assess outcomes, 3. Assign utilities, 4. Select the option with the greatest utility.

What are some questions to consider when assessing capital punishment?

1. Does it deter crime? 2. What happiness does it cause? 3. How much suffering does it create?

What concept does expected utility represent?

Probability of an outcome multiplied by the utility of that outcome.

What are the two components of utilitarianism?

1. Hedonism, 2. Principle of utility.

What is Mill's two-part proof of the principle of utility?

1. Happiness is desirable, 2. General happiness is a good to the aggregate of all persons.

What issue does Mill face with his proof?

Establishing that the aggregate good is a valid concept.

What is the critique regarding interpersonal comparisons of utility?

It's challenging to compare happiness between individuals.

What does Bentham mean by utility?

A measure of the pleasure gained from actions.

How did Mill contribute to utilitarian thought?

By defending the emancipation of women and capital punishment.

What is one potential problem with Mill's proof of utility?

The clarity of what constitutes the 'aggregate' good.

How does Mill suggest we know happiness is desirable?

By observing that people desire happiness.

What is a key property of pleasure according to Bentham?

Pleasure has intrinsic value.

What challenge does utilitarianism face regarding measuring happiness?

Determining a reliable method for interpersonal comparisons.

How does Bentham categorize pleasures?

By their intensity, duration, certainty, remoteness, fecundity, and purity.

What kind of measurement can be applied to pleasures?

Ordinal and cardinal measurements.

What does Mill believe about the death penalty's effectiveness?

It acts as a better deterrent than life imprisonment.

How does Mill describe the fear of capital punishment compared to life imprisonment?

People fear death more than life imprisonment.

What objection do some utilitarians have towards Mill's proof?

It is too abstract and lacks direct logical reasoning.

What is the implication of Mill saying general happiness is a good?

Each person's happiness contributes to collective well-being.

What does Bentham believe about moral opinions?

Morality must be based on firm principles, not mere opinion.

What is a common critique of utilitarianism?

It may fail to provide adequate protection for minority rights.

What role does societal context play in utilitarianism?

It is essential in assessing the potential outcomes of actions.

What major works did Mill write?

Utilitarianism, On Liberty, and The Subjection of Women.

In what way did Mill differ from Bentham?

Mill focused more on qualitative aspects of pleasures.

What is a potential flaw in Mill's characterization of happiness?

Happiness might be perceived differently across individuals.

How does Bentham's utilitarianism assess moral dilemmas?

By calculating the overall pleasure and pain outcomes.

What historical context influenced the development of utilitarianism?

The rise of the industrial society and emphasis on empirical data.

What challenge does Mill identify in justifying the principle of utility?

He must demonstrate its foundational role in moral reasoning.

What is a common discussion question concerning happiness?

Is happiness the only thing with intrinsic value?

How does Mill argue for women's emancipation from a utilitarian perspective?

It leads to greater happiness for society as a whole.

What is Mill's view on societal dependence related to women's roles?

It hinders both women's potential and societal growth.

Which principle of utilitarianism advocates for maximizing overall happiness?

The principle of utility.

What is one implication of utilitarianism for public policy debates?

Policies should be judged based on their overall societal benefits.

What is a social contract?

A historical or hypothetical agreement between members of a social group to give up freedoms in exchange for a more secure life.

What does Hobbes describe the state of nature as?

A world where life is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.

Who proposed the idea of morality as a compromise?

Glaucon from Plato’s The Republic.

What is the primary purpose of a social contract according to moral philosophy?

To escape the state of nature and establish security through agreed-upon rules.

What are public goods?

Goods that benefit everyone, regardless of whether they have paid for them.

What is the prisoner’s dilemma?

A game theoretical model illustrating the conflict between cooperation and self-interest.

Which philosophers are famous social contract theorists?

Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Rawls, David Gauthier.

What is the veil of ignorance?

A hypothetical situation in which individuals do not know their personal circumstances to prevent bias in forming moral rules.

What does it mean for morality to have intrinsic value?

It is valuable for its own sake.

What does it mean for morality to have instrumental value?

It is valuable because of its social or personal benefits.