Philosophy 101

What is the instrumental value of a thing or activity?

The value that a thing or activity has to something else.

What is intrinsic value?

The value that a thing or activity has, not as a means to something else but for its own sake.

What does Bentham state is the only intrinsic value?

Happiness.

What moral theory suggests we are obliged to do whatever leads to the most happiness?

Utilitarianism.

How can happiness be counted?

Happiness can be measured in terms of individual experiences and outcomes.

What are higher and lower pleasures?

Some pleasures are considered more important or fulfilling than others.

What constitutes preference satisfaction?

Happiness is achieved by getting what one wants.

What is human flourishing?

True happiness requires rich forms of growth and self-cultivation.

What do descriptive comments focus on?

How the world is.

What do normative questions concern?

How the world should or ought to be.

What is a key criticism of utilitarianism?

That it can justify unhappiness if it leads to greater happiness later.

What does autonomy refer to?

The capacity to be one’s own person and live according to one's own reasons and motives.

What is the Categorical Imperative according to Kant?

Act only on the maxim that you can will to become a universal law.

What is meant by treating humanity as an end?

To treat people as ends in themselves, not merely as means to an end.

What defines justice in social institutions?

That institutions must be held to standards of justice.

What is the Liberty Principle?

Requires equality in the assignment of basic rights as duties.

What is the Difference Principle?

Social and economic inequalities are just only if they benefit the least advantaged members of society.

What is a potential problem with GDP per capita as a measure?

It hides inequality by averaging over the population.

What are some ways developed countries reduce income inequality?

Through progressive taxation and publicly subsidized services.

What is the Paradox of Protection in free speech jurisprudence?

The law protects speech that is hateful or demeaning.

What are some examples of constraints on speech?

Conventionalized speech taboos, media practices, and corporate codes of conduct.

What does Jeremy Waldron argue about hate speech?

It can be just to regulate hate speech.