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Discussion Questions Chapter 2 Moral Theories

1. Bring in an example of each type of fallacy from chapter 1.


(See notes)
2. What is a moral theory?
A moral theory explains why an action is right or wrong or why a
person or a persons character is good or bad.
3. The text distinguishes between two types of moral theories; what are
these two types?
The two types are theories of right action and virtue-based theories.
4. What should we do when our judgments clash with our moral theory or
principles?
We have to decide which to modify or discard- the theory or the
judgement: depending on which is more credible.
5. What is ethical relativism (from chapter 1)?
Ethical relativism is the view that moral standards are not objective but
are relative to what individuals or cultures believe.
6. Describe two objections to ethical relativism (from chapter 1).
-It implies that an action is morally right for someone if they sincerely
believe it is right and that each person is morally infallible. Your
approval makes the action right and thats that.
-It implies that moral disagreement is an illusion. When two people
have different opinions, they are not arguing or disagreeing, just
stating their personal preferences. However, this contradicts with what
we take to be a basic fact of the moral life.
7. What is the moral standard of utilitarianism (i.e., what makes an action
right or wrong)?
The rightness of actions depends solely on the relative good produced
by individual actions.
8. What does John Stuart Mill mean when he states, it is better to be a
human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates
dissatisfied than a fool satisfied?
It is not about personal satisfaction but the amount of satisfaction you
can bring everyone else by being of a better quality.
9. What is a one-off situation?
10.
What makes an action right according to natural law?
An action must conform to moral standards discerned in nature
through human reason. So it must be reasonable.
11.
Define contractarianism.
Moral or political theories based on the idea of a social contract or
agreement among individuals for mutual advantage.
12.
What is the moral standard of deontology (Kantian Ethics)?
An action is only right if it conforms to a rational and universally
applicable moral rule out of a sense of duty. We should do it for dutys
sake alone.

13.
What is the difference between the FOCUS of deontology and the
focus of utilitarianism?
In deontology, the moral rule applies without exception or regard for
particular needs or purposes.
14.
What is the difference between acting FROM duty and acting IN
ACCORD with duty? Which one has moral worth according to Kant?
Acting from duty does not depend on the contingencies of desire or
utility. So forget our feelings.
15.
What is the first formulation of the categorical imperative?
Act only on that maxim through which you can at the same time will
that it should become a universal law.
16.
What is the second formulation of the categorical imperative?
Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your
own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means, but
always at the same time as an end.
17.
How does virtue ethics differ from both utilitarianism and
deontology?
It focuses on the development of virtuous character because character
is the key to the moral life, for it is from a virtuous character that moral
conduct and values naturally rise.
18.
How does the ethics of care determine the morality of an action?
Morality is determined by the unique demands of specific situations
and to the virtues and feelings that are central to close personal
relationships. So you dont really have to be objective and considerate
of everybody like in other theories.
19.
What is mixed formalism (this will be discussed in class)?

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