ethics exam 4(I think)

What is descriptive ethics?

The scientific study of how humans actually think and behave morally — “what is the case.”

What theories fall under descriptive ethics?

Sociological relativism, psychological egoism, and other scientific theories of behavior.

What is prescriptive (normative) ethics?

Ethical theories about how people ought to act.

Which ethical theories are prescriptive?

Deontology and virtue ethics.

What is the Is/Ought problem?

You cannot derive what people ought to do from what is the case.
(“What is natural is not necessarily right.”)

Why does science have “no bearing” on prescriptive ethics according to the Is/Ought view?

Because science can describe behavior, but it cannot tell us what is morally required.

What does the Is/Ought problem say about human behavior?

Just because humans behave a certain way doesn’t mean they should behave that way.

What is the Ought Implies Can principle?

It’s not reasonable to say someone ought to do something if it’s impossible for them to do.

How does “Ought Implies Can” connect to psychology?

Moral requirements must be realistic about human psychological limits.

What is the Principle of Minimal Psychological Realism?

Ethical theories must be psychologically realistic — you can’t demand behavior humans are incapable of.

Give an example of psychological realism.

You can’t morally require a psychopath to feel emotional empathy if they are neurologically incapable.

How do the Is/Ought principle and Ought Implies Can conflict?

• Is/Ought says ignore science when making moral rules.

• Ought Implies Can says you must consider psychology and human limits.

Why can’t ethical theories ignore psychology?

Because it’s unfair or impossible to demand actions humans cannot perform.

Why might there be multiple normative theories?

Because the Is/Ought gap means facts alone don’t settle morality, leaving room for many ethical approaches.