Phil 249 - Phil Ethics Intro

Introduction to Philosophy

• Philosophy: Love of wisdom; involves systematic rational thought across various inquiries (logic, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics).

Philosophical Arguments

• Philosophical Argument: Set of connected sentences (premises) leading to a conclusion.

• Key assessments: Validity and soundness of premises.

• Rhetoric: want to persuade people —> but lacks reason/justification

• Opinion: don’t really need justification

Metaethics

• Focuses on the origin and nature of moral thought. Five ontologies include:

  • Error Theory

  • Expressivism

  • Constructivism

  • Sensibility Theory

  • Moral Realism

Error Theory

• Claims there are no moral facts; thus, moral judgments cannot be true.

Expressivism

• Moral judgments express emotions or commitments rather than describe moral realities.

Constructivism

• Moral standards are created through social agreements or hypothetical processes.

Sensibility Theory

• Moral properties are objective but understood through moral agents' reactions.

Moral Realism

• Asserts existence of moral truths independent of human endorsement.

Normative Ethics

• Examines ideal moral principles (e.g., Utilitarianism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics).

Moral Theory

• Defines conditions for moral assessments: necessary vs. sufficient conditions.

Applied Ethics

• Focus on analyzing specific moral issues in everyday life.

Key Questions

• Importance of acting morally, determining right/wrong, and values underlying morality.

Plato

• Lived 427-347 B.C.E., wrote dialogues (e.g., Republic), focused on justice as moral rightness.

The Ring of Gyges

• Explores whether individuals would act morally if not held accountable.

• Glaucon argues justice is an instrumental good.

Socrates' Response

• Asserts moral life has intrinsic value and aligns with a good life.