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Utilitarianism
Developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill Morality is not about pleasing god or about being faithful to rules, but is about making the world as happy as possible Morality of an action depends solely on the consequences of that action The actions consequences matter only insofar as they involve the greater or lesser happiness of individuals In the assessment of consequences, each individuals happiness gets equal consideration TERM 2
Hedonism
DEFINITION 2
Pleasure is the one ultimate good, and pain the one
ultimate evil.
Happiness is pleasure
TERM 3
Heinzs Dilemma
DEFINITION 3 Used by Kohlberg to understand the moral development of children Heinzs wife is near death; only hope is a drug that a pharmacist is selling for $2,000 (and only costs $200 to make); Heinz considered stealing the drug. From this, Kohlberg concluded there are 6 stages of moral development TERM 4
Gilligans
Objection
DEFINITION 4 Objected to Kohlbergs understanding of Jake and Amy (the two prime examples used by Kohlberg in the Heinzs Dilemma. Gilligan does not feel that Amys way was inferior Jakes response will be judged at a higher level only if one assumes that an ethic of principle is superior to an ethic of intimacy and caring. The male way of thinking abstracts away the details that give each situation its special flavor. TERM 5
Categorical Imperative
DEFINITION 5 Developed by Kant Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that i should become a universal law. Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of another, always as an end and never as a means only. Provides a way to tell whether an act is morally permissible When thinking about doing something, ask whether you would be willing for the rest of the world to do that same thing. Treating as an end = treating them well, with respect Treating as a means = taking advantage of them, using them
Virtue
Conceived by Aristotle by asking What traits of
character make someone a good person?
A commendable trait of character manifested in
habitual action.
TERM 7
Retributivism- Pg. 141
DEFINITION 7 Retributive justice is a theory of justice that considers that punishment, if proportionate, is a morally acceptable response to crime, with an eye to the satisfaction and psychological benefits it can bestow to the aggrieved party, its intimates and society. People should be punished simply because they have committed crimes and no other reason Punishment should be proportionate to the TERM 8
Jeremy Bentham - Pg. 98
DEFINITION 8
Utilitarian
Requires us in all circumstances to produce the
most happiness that we can
TERM 9
Sigmund Freud
DEFINITION 9 1856 - 1939 Utilitarian Requires us in all circumstances to produce the most happiness that we can Exemplified utilitarian by justifying his suicide by arguing his death would make more people happy, including himself TERM 10
Harry Truman
DEFINITION 10 1884 - 1972 Categorical Imperative CI- Act only according to that maximum by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. The bomb was dropped in hopes that it would end the war, it might not have.
1c) What is Kants categorical imperative (the
two types) and how do they compliment
Anscombes theory?
Type 1: Hypothetical imperatives (oughts) They tell us what to do provided that we have the relevant desires If you want to be a better chess player, you ought to practice A person who did not want to improve her chess would have to reason to study it Type 2: Categorical (oughts) These are moral obligations that are not dependant on particular desires It is not: you ought to help people if you care about them; but you should help people no matter what Anscombs theory is very absolute. She says that under no circumstances should we do certain things TERM 17
1d) What is Kants argument on lying and why
was Anscombe critical of it?
DEFINITION 17 Lying, under any circumstance, is the obliteration of ones dignity as a human being. We should do only those actions that conform to rules that we could will to be adopted universally She disagreed with the reason If you were to lie, you would be following the rule It is okay to lie. If you lied to save someones life, that could become a universal rule TERM 18
3a) What is virtue?
DEFINITION 18 Conceived by Aristotle by asking What traits of character make someone a good person? A commendable trait of character manifested in habitual action. A trait of character, manifested in habitual action, that is good for anyone to have virtues are important because the virtuous person will fare better in life TERM 19
3b) List and describe four of the virtues to
include distinct characteristics of each.
DEFINITION 19 Courage: between the extreme of cowardice and foolhardiness Generosity: between stinginess and extravagance the stingy person gives too little, the extravagant gives to much Honesty: Does not lie. Loyalty to friends and family: Friendship is essential to the good life TERM 20
3c) What are two advantages of virtue ethics?
DEFINITION 20 Moral Motivation: Rather than emphasize right vs wrong, we could prioritize personal values and qualities. Doubts about the ideal of impartiality: VE provides us with a broad set of virtues, some of which are partial, and others are not. Thus, we can apply certain virtues to certain situations without feeling the need to have a one-size fits all moral standard.
4a) What were Kants core ideas regarding
people versus animals?
Humans occupy a special place in creation Other animals have value only insofar as they serve human purpose because people have desires, mere things have value only insofar as they promote human ends animals are too primitive to have desires and goals, therefore they are mere things. TERM 22
4b) What is the difference between treating a
person as an ends or as means?
DEFINITION 22 treat people as an end means treating them well we may not manipulate or use people if you need a loan, but cant replay it, dont take a loan Treat people as a means is to use them for your own advantage although, it is okay to use someone as a means, such as a plumber TERM 23
4c) How do utilitarians justify punishment?
DEFINITION 23 punishment can be justified only if it does enough good to outweigh the bad punishment provides comfort and gratification to victims and their families by locking up criminals, we keep them off the street, causing fewer crimes punishment reduces crime by deterring would-be criminals well-designed system of punishment might help to rehabilitate wrongdoers TERM 24
4d) What is Kants perspective on
punishment?
DEFINITION 24 Rehabilitation is just an attempt to mold people into what we want them to be, it violates their right to decide for themselves what sort of people they will be. people should be punished simply because they have committed crimes, and for no other reason punishment should be proportionate to the seriousness of the crime if the guilty are not punished, justice is not tone,
