Moral Philosophy 12 Markers

Explain how Kant’s deontological approach to ethics might be applied to the issue of stealing. (12)

• Kant argues that we have duties to do certain things which are right

• Moral duties are discoverable by reason

• Only the good will is good without qualification

• To have good will is to do your duty because it is your duty

• Moral duties are categorical and not hypothetical

• Categorical imperatives come from the Categorical Imperative

• Is a categorical imperative if it avoids contradiction in will + conception

• State why you can’t steal bc it isn’t universalisable

Explain hedonistic utilitarianism and explain the criticism that it ignores the moral integrity of the individual. (12)

• Utilitarianism = utility principle

• Hedonist = pleasure is good

• Argues that utilitarians ignore moral character, commitments, beliefs etc

• For example, if a man is in poor health and is struggling to make ends meet, and is offered a job in chemical warfare

• He is a pacifist, and if he says no, the job will go to someone else who will likely work harder

• Should he take the job?

• Hedonist utilitarians would say that he should

• However, this ignores pacifist principles

Explain Aristotle’s view on how we develop moral character and how this is challenged by the issue of circularity in his definition of ‘virtuous acts.’ (12)

• Moral character = possession of virtues

• We do not have them by nature, but have the capability of acquiring them

• Skills analogy

• Could be argued that it is circular

• Aristotle defines a ‘virtuous act’ as an act which would be performed by a virtuous person

• A virtuous person = someone who does virtuous acts

• Etc

Explain Bentham’s utilitarianism and explain how Nozick’s experience machine challenges this view. (12)

• Bentham = hedonistic utilitarianism

• Qualitative utilitarian

• Intensity

• Duration

• Certainty

• Propinquity

• Fecundity

• Purity

• Extent

• Machine gives you any experience that you desire

• When connected, you can feel the pleasures from the inside, but not actually do them

• The hedonist utilitarian would say yes

• We should just care about what is actually the case