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Ethics and Morality: Exploring Key Concepts and Theories - Prof. Mcarthy, Study notes of Philosophy

University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) - GreensburgPhilosophy
Prof. Bryan Mcarthy

This document delves into fundamental ethical concepts and theories, examining the works of prominent philosophers like socrates, kant, and mill. It explores the nature of good, the principles of universalizability and utilitarianism, and the complexities of consent and autonomy in ethical decision-making. Through thought experiments and real-world examples, the document encourages critical thinking and analysis of ethical dilemmas.

Typology: Study notes

2023/2024

Uploaded on 10/20/2024

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Format
• 100 Total Points:
• 10 Multiple Choice (3 point each)
• 5 short answer (6 points each) [a few words, a sentence or two MAXIMUM]
• 2 long answer (20 points each) [Pick two of the prompts, write 12 paragraphs or
around 6-8 sentences]
In the opening of Book 2 the Republic, Socrates distinguishes between
three kinds of good:
In your own words: (a) explain what each category means; (b) give
examples of goods for each category.
Instrumental:
• things we value only because they help us achieve something else. We don’t enjoy
them for their own sake, but for the benefits they bring.
o Medicine, might not be enjoyable but we value it because it helps us stay
healthy
Non-Instrumental:
• things we value purely for themselves, regardless of any further benefits they bring.
These goods are enjoyed for their own sake.
o Happiness, we value it for its own sake, not because it leads to something
else
Instrumental AND Non-Instrumental:
• things we value both for their own sake and for the outcomes they produce.
o Knowledge, we value it because it can lead to better decisions but
appreciate it for its own sake too
pf3
pf4
pf5
pf8
pf9

Partial preview of the text

Download Ethics and Morality: Exploring Key Concepts and Theories - Prof. Mcarthy and more Study notes Philosophy in PDF only on Docsity!

Format

  • 100 Total Points:
  • 10 Multiple Choice (3 point each)
  • 5 short answer (6 points each) [a few words, a sentence or two MAXIMUM]
  • 2 long answer (20 points each) [Pick two of the prompts, write 12 paragraphs or around 6-8 sentences]

In the opening of Book 2 the Republic, Socrates distinguishes between

three kinds of good:

In your own words: (a) explain what each category means; (b) give

examples of goods for each category.

Instrumental:

  • things we value only because they help us achieve something else. We don’t enjoy them for their own sake, but for the benefits they bring. o Medicine, might not be enjoyable but we value it because it helps us stay healthy Non-Instrumental:
  • things we value purely for themselves, regardless of any further benefits they bring. These goods are enjoyed for their own sake. o Happiness, we value it for its own sake, not because it leads to something else Instrumental AND Non-Instrumental:
  • things we value both for their own sake and for the outcomes they produce. o Knowledge, we value it because it can lead to better decisions but appreciate it for its own sake too

Kant’s basic principle: Act only a maxim you can will as universal law.

In your own words, how would you explain what Kant’s basic principle

means?

  • Before you act, you should ask yourself if you’d be okay with everyone else doing the same thing in similar circumstances. If the action would create problems if everyone did it, then it’s not moral.

Kant distinguishes between contradiction in though/conception, on the

one hand and a contradiction in the will, on the other. In your own words,

how would you explain the difference between these two things?

  • Contradiction in thought/conception happens when the action itself cannot logically be a universal rule. For example, if everyone lied, trust would break down, so lying is self-defeating.
  • Contradiction in will occurs when the action isn’t something you would genuinely want to become a universal law because it would go against your own interests

What would be an action that Kant would say does not pass

universalizability test? Why does it not universalize?

  • Making false promises. If everyone made false promises, promises themselves would become meaningless, and no one would trust each other. This creates a contradiction in thought because the concept of promising relies on trust.

What is the basic principle of utilitarianism? How would you explain it?

  • To act to maximize happiness or pleasure for the greatest number of people. It focuses on the consequences of actions.

Long Answer

This the question bank for the long answer. I'll select 5 of these to put on the

exam.

1. What “punishment” does Socrates ask for in the Apology? Why does he ask

for that?

  • He thinks he should get free meals for life because he believes he is doing something good so he should be rewarded. But, if he’s doing the wrong thing, he asks that they teach him to do the right thing because he would not willingly do the wrong thing.
  • He views his work as something that should be rewarded because he believes his philosophical work, questioning people, and seeking truth is deserving of honor rather than punishment as it is beneficial to the people of Athens.

2. In the Crito, Socrates friend asks him to flee Athens. Does Socrates flee?

Explain his decision.

  • Crito presents various arguments, including concerns about Socrates’ children and the shame his friends might face for not helping him. However, Socrates refuses to flee, arguing that escaping would violate his principles and harm the city’s laws.
  • He believes in this social contract: since he is living in Athens and benefited from its laws, he is obligated to follow those laws, even when they result in an unjust punishment.
  • Just because he was wrongfully convicted doesn’t mean it is right to break the law by fleeing, so he accepts the death penalty rather than escaping.

3. (Hard) Explain the function argument. You should explain how it works and

provide a little explanation of each premise (you don't have to go into that

much detail, but examples can help).

  • Aristotle’s function argument is the idea that everything has a function, a characteristic activity that defines its purpose. For example, the function of a knife is to cut, and a knife is considered good if it cuts well.
  • Aristotle applies this to human beings, arguing that the human function must be unique to humans. Since humans are rational beings, Aristotle claims that the function of humans is using reason to guide our actions.
  • To live a good life, then, means to live with reason and to perform this function well, which is what he calls living virtuously. A good life is about more than just pursuing pleasure or wealth—it’s about fulfilling our unique function as rational beings.

4. In Book II of the Republic, Glaucon makes a distinction between three kinds

of goods. Use examples to help illustrate this distinction.

  • The first type includes things that are desirable for their own sake, such as joy or harmless pleasures, which we pursue because they are inherently good.
  • The second type consists of things that are both desirable in themselves and for their consequences, like knowledge or health; they are enjoyable but also beneficial in other ways.
  • The third type includes things that are burdensome in themselves but desirable for their consequences, such as exercise or medical treatment, which we endure because they lead to a positive outcome.

− Mill says that you can lie to (and you should) prevent harm and the for the greater good (more happiness) The consequences of the lie (your friend's survival) outweigh the moral weight of the lie itself. − Utilitarianism allows for a flexible response based on the specific context, while Kantian ethics insists on upholding moral duties like truth-telling, even in dire situations. Which theory gives the correct verdict depends on whether you prioritize consequences or moral principles.

7. Pick an example of an action that does not universalize according to Kant.

Explain what this means and why it doesn't universalize.

− Kant's principle of universalizability asks whether the maxim of an action can be applied universally without contradiction. − An example of an action that doesn’t universalize is making a false promise to repay a loan. The maxim behind this action might be "It is acceptable to make false promises when I need something." − As a result, the action of making false promises cannot be universalized because it leads to a contradiction in conception—the very act of promising would lose its meaning if everyone lied. − This failure to universalize means the action is morally impermissible in Kant’s view, as it undermines the social practice it relies on.

8. Briefly explain the distinction in Kant between a contradiction in conception

and a contradiction in willing.

  • Test of whether action is right or wrong. The rule of action could be willed to be a universal law. Always act in a way that whatever rule you’re using to guide your action, everyone can use it.
  • A contradiction in conception occurs when a maxim, if universalized, would be self-defeating. You can’t think about how it’s universal because it defeats itself as it can’t be applied to everyone (eg lying).
  • Some laws are universal, but we can’t will them to be universal (eg charity, benevolence). No one is ever going to do something for someone else (selfish) unless they are obligated to do it.
  • While a contradiction in conception involves the logical impossibility of the action under universalization, a contradiction in willing deals with the practical inconsistency of willing a law that undermines your own rational interests.

9. Briefly explain Thomson's violinist. What intuitions are we supposed to get

from this? thought experiment?

− Judith Thomson’s violinist thought experiment is designed to challenge the claim that abortion is morally impermissible in all cases. In the scenario, you are kidnapped and connected to a famous violinist who needs your body to survive. − Although disconnecting would result in the violinist’s death, Thomson argues that you are not morally obligated to stay connected, even if the violinist has a right to life. − This parallels pregnancy by suggesting that a woman's right to bodily autonomy might justify disconnecting from the fetus, even if it results in death. The right to life does not necessarily give the right to use someone else’s body to survive. − Thomson uses this to argue that abortion can be morally permissible, particularly in cases where the pregnancy is unintentional or unwanted.

10. Doughtery argues that sex without morally valid consent is seriously

wrong. Explain why Doughtery thinks this is wrong (i.e. rights vs. harms). Use

an example to illustrate our point (you can re-use Daughterty's example).