Flashcards Honors Ethics Unit 1

Why do we practice ethics? What is the telos of studying ethics?

We practice ethics to reach happiness and to live well. The telos ("end," "purpose,") of studying ethics is to reach that happiness

What is truth?

Truth is the reality of things and is factual and objective.

What is honesty?

Honesty is telling the truth as you owe it to others.

What is the difference between truth and honesty?

You can know the truth but not be honest. You can tell the truth while not being dishonest.

What are the five kinds of texts that we primarily examined in this unit?

Dialogue, Treatise, Polemic, Epistle, Scholastic

List the logical fallacies we discussed in class

equivocation

paltering

ad hominem

begging the question

post hoc reasoning

equivocation

changing the meaning of a word without agreement

paltering

the use of truthful statements to convey a misleading impression

ad hominem

attaching the character of the person making an argument

begging the question

using the conclusion as proof of itself

post hoc reasoning

B happened after A, therefore A caused B

Explain the difference between form and matter

Form is the essence of something while the matter is what it's made of

What is theology?

Teleology is the study of ends.

What are the two telos of man? Why is this concept important for ethics?

The two telos of man are eudaimonia - happiness, human flourishing, and living well - and a supernatural end with God. This concept is important for ethics because we cannot understand what is right or wrong without understanding our end.

What is rhetoric?

Rhetoric is the practice of persuading people. The way we argue for our positions is important, and our arguments must be focused on truth.

What are the three kinds of evidence?

1) Reason - provide syllogisms and logic derived from human reason

2) Observation - sensory data, things which can be physically demonstrated

3) Anecdotes - individual experiences that are not reproducible

What are the two kinds of observation?

1) A priori - understanding the cause of an effect (cause to effect

2) A posteriori - finding the cause by observing the effect (effect to cause)

conscience

the judgement of reason that tells you if something is right or wrong; is the source of moral knowledge that must be obeyed

What are the 5 proofs of God's existence that Aquinas provides?

1) First cause and end

2) Things must be put in motion

3) It is possible that things may not exist

4) Everything has a graduation; everything comes from something

5) Things lack intellect; natural things must act towards an end

Explain why Saint Augustine is excited to meet Faustus in Book V, Chapters 6-7 of Confessions. Why does the meeting disappoint him?

Augustine was excited to meet Faustus because he was a well respected Manichean leader who was extremely well spoken. However, Augustine quickly realizes that just because someone phrases things beautifully, it does not mean what they are saying is true. This leaves him disappointed.

What are the three kinds of laws?

Human, Natural, and Divine Law

Human Law

Laws made and enforced by man; not always compatible with natural and divine law

Why does Human Law exist?

Human Law exists to set general rules and measures.

Natural Law

Established by reason; is always compatible with divine law but not human, found in philosophy

Why does Natural Law exist?

Natural Law orients us towards natural happiness through reason.

Divine law

revealed directly by God and can be found in the Bible; is compatible with natural law, but not human law.

Why does divine law exist?

Divine Law teaches us how to reach communion with God and our supernatural end.