Ethical objectivism
the view that there are some objective moral standards, these standards apply to everyone, even if people don't believe that they do. The view that some moral standards are objectively correct and that some moral claims are objectively true.
Moral Nihilism
The view that there are no moral truths at all.
nothing is right and nothing is wrong, taking a step back from emotions, thats when we can see it. The world will be described by science, and science has no moral categories.
cultural relativism
Says an action is moral just because it is allowed by guided ideals of society. 'an act is morally acceptable just because it is allowed by the guiding ideals of the society in which it is performed, and immoral because it is forbidden by those ideals.
ethical subjectivism (individual relativism)
Action is moral/ immoral just because individual approves/ disapproves or their commitments allow/ don't allow
no moral code, measuring according to each person, if subjectivism is correct, each persons moral standards are equally plausible.
objective moral standards
are those that apply to everyone, even if people don't believe that they do, even if obeying them fails to satisfy anyone's desires. they are objective truths, galileao is dead, doesn't matter what anyone thinks
(true even if no one believed)
Ethical relativism
claim that some moral rules are really are correct, and that these determine which moral claims are true and which false, many are true, they are never objectively correct, they are only relative to each person or each society, it may be appropriate for some people but not for others
what are the two forms of moral skepticism?
moral nihilism and ethical relativism
what are the two kinds of ethical relativism
ethical subjectivism (individual relativism)
cultural relativsim
moral skepticism
morality lacks any real authority, whats right and whats morally wrong. puzzlement, no object moral truths
psychological egoism
View that says only one thing motivates humans and that is self-interest.
ethical egoism
View says there is one moral duty and that is to improve your own well being as best you can.
consequentialism
normative ethics (the study
of moral actions) which states that morality is
based on result or outcome of an action.
utilitarian (ACT)
an act is right if it maximizes pleasure and minimizes pain maintains that an
action is right if it maximizes utility; if
its more useful...
hedonistic utilitarianism (the kind by john stewart mill)
There is no essential connection between the morality of an action and the morality of the intentions behind it.
What types of theories could utilitarianism be classified as?
What types of theories could utilitarianism be classified as?
Most utilitarians believe that the morality of an action depends on . . .
Its actual results.
Utilitarianism allows that we may count one person's interests as more important than the interests of others if...
Never. (Everyone's interests are just as equal as everyone else's) even animals
Utilitarianism vs. Kant (means to ends)
-Utilitarianism states its moral to use people as means to an end against their will, so that it provides more pleasure/less pain
-Kant states that everyone has intrinsic value, everyone has a right not to be used as a means, bc everyone is an end in themselves.
kantian ethics
Ethical Objectivism
-Moral Absolutism
-Rationalism
-Nonconsequentialism
-Deontology
-Creatures with reason are "ends in themselves" - not merely means to an end - and have intrinsic value/dignity
-Rationality allows for autonomy (or self-government): the ability to choose/govern one's actions in accordance with the moral law
1. What is Moral Skepticism?
the denial of object moral standards
1. What is Moral Nihilism?
the view that there are no moral truths at all
- world contains no moral features
- when we take a step back from our emotions, we can see that nothing is right and nothing wrong
- world will one day be full described by science
1. Do ethical relativists believe that there are true moral claims?
Yes but is relative to the individual in question.
1. What is ethical relativism?
some moral rules really are correct and that these determine which moral claims are true and which are false
-standards for some people may not be appropriate for others
1. What is cultural relativism?
correct moral standards are relative to cultures or societies
1. Where do cultural relativists locate the ultimate standard of morality?
Within each cultures commitments.
1. If cultural relativism is true, why is it impossible for a society's moral beliefs to be wrong?
Turns ideals such as slavery, sexism, and racism into moral duties of all citizens.
1. If subjectivism is true, why are individuals morally infallible (at least with regard to their most foundational ethical principles)?
Claims morality is in eye of beholder, making beliefs into individual moral truths. Each individual dictates their own morals and is relative to each individual
1. If subjectivism is true, how can an individual make a moral mistake?
People can make moral mistakes, but only if they fail to realize the implications of their own commitments.
1. If subjectivism is true, whose moral outlook is superior: Gandhi's or Hitler's?
They would be equal.
1. If subjectivism is correct, why is no moral outlook any better or worse than anyone else's?
Everyone's moral values are equally plausible and correct.
1. If cultural relativism is true, is it possible for one person's moral views to be better (more correct) than another persons? If so, how? If not, why not?
Yes it is possible because some people are attuned to what their society really stands for.
1. If cultural relativism is true, which society has the better moral outlook: a society that treats women as property or a society which treats women as equals to men?
Depends on society's ultimate moral standards.
1. If subjectivism is true, is it good, generally speaking, to keep your promises?
It depends on whether or not they approve of it. Their morals are subject to change and this could change whether they think the promise is worthwhile.
1. If either subjectivism or cultural relativism is true, then "the ultimate moral principles... can be based on prejudice, ignorance, superficial thinking, or brainwashing, and still be correct." Why?
Basic moral ideas, regardless of where they originate from, are correct. Ultimate moral beliefs cannot be mistaken. Values depend entirely on approval of individual or society.
1. If subjectivism is true, why does it make no sense to suppose that you might be wondering whether your moral commitments are worthwhile, or correct? For example, suppose you are wondering whether it is wrong for you to look down on homosexuals. If subj
then I know what is right so long as I know what I approve of. Thats because my approvals are the ultimate test of morality
John Stuart Mill thought that the only intrinsically valuable thing is . . .
Happiness.
contradiction problem for subjectivism
1. any theory that generates contradictions is false,
2. Ethical subjectivism generates contradtions
3. therefore, ethical subjectivism is false
1. The United States used to condone slavery. The society used to believe that slavery was morally okay. But now, as a society, we do not. Now we think it is completely immoral and terrible. You might say that we have improved, morally, as a society. But
If a society's deepest beliefs are true by definition, they cannot change for the better. If you are already following the moral standards of culture, then your morals cannot "improve".
1. Dennis used to think that rape jokes were funny. But now he thinks that they're mean and that they perpetuate sexist attitudes (which he now believes are bad) and so he thinks telling rape jokes is ethically bad behavior. When he tells people about his
to compare his belief system, then with his belief system now and find one to be better, there would need to be some moral truths that are true independently of any one persons particular belief system, and is subjectivism is true, there arn't.
1. Dan is gay, and is an active member of Seattle's gay community. He is also a Catholic. He belongs to these two groups (sub-cultures, we might call them) simultaneously. The Catholic community disapproves of homosexuality, whereas the gay community (obv
yes and no, at the same time, there is a contradiction here
1. What makes right actions right and wrong actions wrong according to the "Ideal Observer" version of subjectivism?
Would approve of it if I were fully informed and perfectly rational.