Ethics Miderm Study Guide SP 21 PDF

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Study Guide for Ethics Midterm...

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Ethics Spring 2020 Midterm Study Guide Note: Please circle the items that you do not remember and we will go over them in class and see if we have covered them. While I believe that the study guide is accurate, my memory is not the best guide for all things (in fact it is quite poor). Some questions are asked twice to allow different ways of hearing the question, don’t worry if it sounds like the same question. A.

Concepts and Names in Ethics

1.

All of the readings assigned (close to 10% of the exam will come from readings)

2.

Idealism and Plato/Socrates—application to virtue ethics-flaw to this idea? -

3.

Joseph Fletcher—Situation ethics, main absolute, problems with absolute? -

4.

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“man is an animal” - we would have no morality at all, whatever helps you survive is moral incl. rape, murder survival of the fittest does not work ethically or morally because it means the death of all who are considered unfit, ex. Hitler

Simone de Beauvoir--existentialism view and main ethic? -

6.

situation ethics: moral judgments must be made within the context of the entirety of a situation, all features viewed as a whole “we need a flexible absolute, and that is love” absolute moral rule is too demanding and restrictive to contemporary ethics

What if we took seriously the idea that “man is an animal”--implications for morality? Morality as a means of survival of the fittest? What would this mean for ethics? -

5.

idealism: reality = human perception/understanding Platonic idealism: theory that the substantive reality around us is only a reflection of a higher truth Socrates: duality of soul and body, to transcend you have to control impulses of the body flaw: abstract and vague, ethics must come from an unchanging source

existentialism: existence comes before essence, you choose who you are and who you are can change ex. Camus, Simone de Beauvoir flaws: - “is-ought fallacy”: just because something is does not mean that is how it ought to be, “that’s just the way I am” rationalizes everything - morals are different for everyone - do you really want to be authentic to yourself if you are a murderer or a rapist?

What is the difference between determinism, component, and propensity to behaviors? -

determinism: all events are determined by external causes, no choice involved component: part of my biology, but I don’t have to propensity: stronger than average tendency

7.

Christian ethics say Good=Like God, why is this concept important to consistency in ethical theory? Why must be good be a description in Christian thought as opposed to a goal to be reached by God? Is something good merely because God does the action? (Q. 23, 25) -

8.

Ethics and complexity-are ethics complex? Should ethics be complex? Why? -

9.

part of existentialism: habit that people have of deceiving themselves into thinking that they do not have the freedom to make choices for fear of the consequences; avoiding responsibility for your life and actions

The first group targeted by Hitler-why? How does this relate to the essence/attribute distinction? -

11.

can be but should not be complex

Jean Paul Sartre-the idea of bad faith. What is the main ethical premise? -

10.

God is consistent and is already good something is good because God approves the action

first group targeted were the disabled essence is that which a being cannot live without, attribute is what makes up a being

Teleological ethics—end justifies the means—is there a flaw in this thinking? People associated with view? -

12.

flaws: means are different for different people, could include things that are morally wrongf people associated: Malcolm X, Robin Hood

Pragmatism—what does this mean and are there flaws? William James, Charles Peirce (father of) -

pragmatism: an ideology is true if it is efficient and it works

13.

List five reasons we cannot get morality from culture?

14.

Three presuppositions necessary for ethics. What is a presupposition? -

15.

Morality that begins with me must logically and necessarily end with me—why? Can we rescue Ethics out of the realm of personal opinion? The problem with personal ethics is that my personal ethic is that there are no ethics. . . I like the color purple! -

16.

presupposition: something that you assume to be true - choice must be involved - commonality must be greater than individuality - must come from an unchanging source

because ethics are then based on opinion and never surpass opinion only if we look beyond ourselves

Richard Dawkins view of free will and ethics. Logical conclusions of this view? -

biological reductionism, says that there is no free will

17.

What ontologically precedes all culture both in a Christian and non-Christian viewpoint? -

18.

Christian standpoint: imago Dei non-Christian, biological standpoint: DNA

Explain and identify the four layers of the law. -

ritual: always points to something beyond itself restrictive: purpose is to restrict evil revelation: what God really wants redemption: most important, all of us have broken the law and need to be redeemed

19.

DNA and ethics-how can we understand being 60% hard wired genetically and still hold to ethics?

20.

Dostoyevsky –what does he say about animals and ethics (omit)

21.

Commonality-why is this important to Ethics? How do we affirm individuality in the process of asking all people to be ethical? -

22.

Normative Ethics - based on study of the __________ Is this “inappropriate”? Give example of the two different types of norms. -

23. 25)

based on study of the norm, morals = what is normal inappropriate because norms change and what is “appropriate” is relative ex. mathematical norm, norm by design

Euthryro dilemma? What is the problem with the form of argumentation used by Socrates? (Q -

24.

commonality: the greater good for all people the idea that if it is good for all people, it in itself must be good

is something good because God loves it? or is it independent of God? (is a false dilemma, there is normally a third doctrine) answer is neither. good because it is like God or a reflection of God

Name one system that is transcendent which does not begin with God? -

idealism because ideas are dependent and external, flaw is that ethics must come from an unchanging source

25.

Why was Socrates unable to come to the conclusion that good is that which is like God?

26.

Edmund Burke quote -

27.

“the only thing that evil needs to succeed is that good men and women do nothing”

Utilitarianism—define and know major proponents -

utilitarianism: doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority flaw: who defines good? what is good for you might not be good for someone else

28.

What system is best known as “mathematical ethics”? Default ethics? -

29.

Egoism - define and list a person for each. -

30.

-

-

biological reductionism: ethics come from our brain, social contract with belief in benefitting the whole - flaw: if ethics come from my brain, all of ethics is gone bc it’s my opinion people: Richard Dawkings, Michael Gazzanga

Virtue ethics-define it. Flaws? -

35.

Dalits are not able to move up in Hindu social rankings → means of systematic societal oppression; believed in karma, that they deserve this life because they were bad people in a past life British taught women to read and write

Name a system and two people that would espouse biological reductionist ethics from evolution. How do these ethics work? -

34.

humans cannot be used as a means to an end flaw: human nature is to use others, presupposes human value without proving it

Dalits and Karma-why is Hinduism the perfect religion to condone oppression from a systematic viewpoint? What is it that the British did that was forbidden in Hindu culture in India? -

33.

do unto others as you would have them do unto you, no self-interest, Emmanuel Kant flaw: why should I care about others if there is no God (Nietzsche)

Practical Imperative-define and refute (Kant, Nietzsche refutes) -

32.

“whatever benefits me is good,” “there are no ethics outside of me, and they should be about me” Ayn Rand

Categorical Imperative-define and refute -

31.

mathematical ethics = utilitarianism default ethics = liberalism - no clear definition of right and wrong → default to individual’s opinion

virtue ethics: there is an ultimate good that exists separate from humanity, is good in and of itself - “true ethics doesn’t begin with God” flaw: true ethics does begin with God

Jeremy Bentham-what is the calculus of felicity? Name four aspects. Rationale? -

-

Jeremy Bentham - father of utilitarianism (greatest good for greatest amount) - flaws: minority gets the shaft, what is good changes with the majority’s opinion, those in power are the ones who create ethics calculus of felicity: formula for the greatest happiness aspects: intensity, extent, fecundancy (fullness), purity, duration

36.

John Stuart Mill-who is he? -

37.

Aristotle and the golden mean (Moderation in all things) and Buddha’s similar statement. -

38.

-

technology against nature: we should be creative beings because God is a creator, so we should be pro-technology it’s natural -hug a cobra, just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s good

Is conscience an infallible guide? Why or why not? -

40.

golden mean: moderation in all things buddha: avoid extremes - flaw: extreme statement, you can’t be moderate in all things

Technology and the “against nature” argument, or “it’s natural” -

39.

father of liberalism (do what you want as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone)

no because your conscience is different from others’, and it can also change

Karma and justice—what is the problem with karma and ethics? The all as it relates to evil. List two problems -

good and evil, right and wrong are not defined one with all = becoming one with murder, rape, hate, etc.

41.

Explain the concept of compassionate absolutism. What two ideas are present in this system?

42.

Who aspired to make ethics rational even though he is called a closet Christian? Flaw to his thought? Who critiqued him and on what grounds? -

Emmanuel Kant flaw: why should I care about others if there isn’t a God to punish me if I don’t? why are people valuable if there is no God? Friedrick Nietzsche

43.

Biblical definition of death-how might this relate to the idea of when life begins?

44.

Number of people who die every year due to a lack of organs.

45.

Women’s rights-what is the distinction necessary to advocate women’s rights?

46.

Are all sins the same in God’s eyes? Why?

47.

America’s one and only contribution to Philosophical/Ethical theory? -

48.

Friedrich Nietzsche’s critique of Kant’s ethical systems? -

49.

pragmatism

“you have presupposed value without proving it, it’s against human nature, and Kant is a closet Christian. you can’t use morals without God” ethics is the revolt of the weak against the strong

Thrasymachus argument- “might makes _________________.” (Nietzsche, egoism)

50.

What is the blender analogy and what does it point to in Hinduism’s understanding of Nirvana? -

51.

-

noble savage: believes that civilization corrupts us and that we are basically good people (refutations - certain native peoples who are very vicious) social contract theory

John Locke-which system? Flaws to social contract theory? -

53.

refutation of the concept of Nirvana because it is becoming one with the all (including murder, rape, disease, etc.)

John Jacques Rousseau-which system and what does he think about nature and civilization? -

52.

right

father of social contract theory flaws: not everybody will agree to the social contract, presupposes that people will think that the needs of the society are greater than their own needs, individually appropriated (speed limits broken whenever we think we won’t be caught), laws merely a reflection of what is popular at the time

What is the main ethic in Taoism and Confucius ethical systems? -

harmony

54. What is the problem with chi as it relates to nature being sacred? What is the problem with getting ethics or morality from nature as it relates to smoking pot? 55.

It is legal! Problems with ethics that come from law -

56.

teleological ethics, ends justify the means

What is the problem with getting rid of desire in Buddha’s thought? List 4 noble truths (63) -

60.

biological fatalism and survival of the fittest where ethics comes from DNA, but flawed in that this makes rape morally right because it works

Malcolm X, Marx, Stalin, Mao-which system? -

59.

“religion is being ultimate about that which is ultimate”

Richard Dawkins’ understanding of ethics and flaws to his thought. What is the flaw to ethics being merely a solution for genetic success? Or the need for a social contract to help evolution? -

58.

social contract theory - laws change and cultures change

Paul Tillich quote -

57.

nature being sacred - hug a cobra (nature isn’t all good)

you must desire to get rid of desire

What is the problem with the statement “as long as it does not hurt anyone”? -

one person cannot decide what is hurtful to another person

61.

What is meant by the calculus of felicity? What is the point of the phrase? Name two aspects to this formula. -

62.

Polytheism and monotheism - why is one superior to the other in ethics? -

63.

monotheism is superior because the ethics are coming from one unchanging source as opposed to polytheism where there are multiple sources with multiple moral standards

What is the main ethic in Buddhism and summation for the four noble truths (meaning the fourth of the noble truths)? -

64.

algorithm formed by Jeremy Bentham - calculating the degree or amount of pleasure that a specific action is likely to cause

main ethic: no individuality - all of life is suffering - desire is the root of all evil - eliminate desire and eliminate suffering - follow the 8-fold path: the middle ground

Praxis is the proving ground of _________. Why must Ethics need praxis? -

all theory otherwise the idea is not founded in reality and ethics are useless if they can’t be practiced, to see if your theory actually helps anyone

65.

Three problems with pragmatism, historical advocates, flaws?

66.

Epicureanism-understand it as a system and explain greatest pleasure. -

epicureanism: argues that good is defined by pleasure; whatever brings you pleasure in life is therefore good and ethical “epicurean delight” = greatest pleasure

67.

Ring of Gyges moral? (omit)

68.

What does Karl Marx say is the basis for ethics in his criticism of ethics? -

69.

all ethics are created to protect private interests

How does the speed limit seem to bring into question the social contract theory? -

everyone has to agree to follow the speed limit as part of the social contract

70.

The arrows and ethics as it relates to revelation as a necessary idea in Ethics.

71.

NAMBLA and issues of free speech and liberalism, credo -

NAMBLA (North American Man Boy Love Association) is the biggest fault of liberalism, sex before 8 before it’s too late is illegal, but people can talk about how they wish it were a thing or can talk about it online anonymously

72.

Situation ethics - what would be the problem with getting ethics from a situation or situations? Does the father of situation ethics see a problem with getting ethics from the situation? Who is he? Is there an absolute in this system? -

73.

Harmony ethics - advocates/religions—concept of time in relation to ethics -

74.

Joseph Fletcher - situation ethics you can’t derive ethics from situations, because situations change and all are different

religions - Buddhism, Wiccan Rede, Hinduism; harmony is possible, earth in harmony time is linear, not cyclical

Michael Gazzaniga and Neuroethics—what would the conclusions of our brains creating ethics mean to ethics? Do ethics occur in the brain? Solutions? -

75.

Wiccan Rede - problems? -

76.

-

“just because something is doesn’t mean that is how it ought to be”

What is the myth of liberalism? How is liberalism different from the political system of liberalism? -

79.

“the best way to live is to have everyone else be moral and you be immoral,” goes against social contract theory bc doesn’t follow Dawkins - ethics is a social convention to create safety for the species; meaning that if evolution is the only goal, should things like rape and thinning the herd through any means to get to a desirable level

Is ought/fallacy - definition and problems. List two problems. -

78.

believes in universal law, that whatever you do comes back 4 times

Machiavelli as a retort to Social Contract or Dawkins’ ethical theory. -

77.

ethics occur and end in the brain ethics that begin with me must necessarily and logically end with me

doing whatever you want doesn’t hurt anyone and protects everyone

Physics and liberalism as it relates to nature abhorring a _______________. -

vacuum false that what you do in the privacy of your bedroom stays there

80.

Plato’s noble lie - what is it and how does it apply to commonality and the Imago Dei. (Omit)

81.

Essence/attribute problem in birth defects arguments on abortion. -

82.

essence (who i am), attribute (what i have/what i can do) should not abort babies based on attributes (ex. birth defect, disability, disease)

Ellie Wiesel on ambiguity and ethics -

ambiguity always aids evil

83.

What is wrong with racism? Explain from the essence/attribute distinction. -

“in order for something to be ethically wrong, there has to be a choice involved. you ...