Term
| Define: Negative Responsibility |
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Definition
| The idea that one is guilty through inaction as well as through action. Williams says that this is an unfair aspect of utilitarianism |
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Term
| When is collateral damage justified? |
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Definition
| According to Kant: never. According to utility: When it satisfies the Greatest Happiness Principle |
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Term
| The 7 Factors to Consider for Each Action |
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Definition
1. Its intensity
2. Its duration
3. Its certainty or uncertainty
4. Its propinquity or remoteness
5. Its fecundity
6. Its purity
7. Its extent |
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Term
| Define: the Calculus of Felicity |
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Definition
| The calculus designed to gauge by means of cost-benefit analysis the net value of pleasure coming from a specific action. In other words, do the math. |
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Term
| Define: the Greatest Happiness Principle |
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Definition
| Maximize pleasure, minimize pain |
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Term
| Define: Classical Utilitarianism |
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Definition
| A theory that examines the consequences of an action and tries to satisfy the Greatest Happiness Principle |
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Term
| How do we achieve happiness according to Williams? |
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Definition
| By pursuing worthwhile projects (commitments), not merely the greatest net pleasure. |
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Term
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Definition
| A rational, deontological, duty-oriented system of ethics that relies on pure reason to determine whether an action is moral or immoral, disregarding the consequences. Each person has "good will" and reason to help determine actions moral or immoral. People are ends and never means. |
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Term
| Frankena's Arguments Against Kant |
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Definition
1. Competing duties - how to solve the problem of conflicting obligations?
2. People don't want to be nice
3. "Whistling in the dark" - Sometimes maxims can be made that have no moral bearing whatsoever. |
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Term
| The Deep Beauty of the Golden Rule |
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Definition
| The Golden Rule is a mode of behavior that provides a perspective that will lead to more moral acts. All major religions have a version of it. |
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Term
| A Critique of the Golden Rule |
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Definition
| It's not enough to put oneself in another's shoes. For instance, a jailer cannot let a prisoner escape simply because he would want that if he were a prisoner. It does not provide a complete system of ethics. |
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Term
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Definition
| The idea that our actions do not entirely depend on free will, that they are influenced by circumstances. |
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Term
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Definition
1. Luck in the way one's actions or projects turn out
2. Luck in how one is determined by antecedent circumstances
3. Constitutive luck, the kind of person you are (abilities, inclinations, temperament).
4. Circumstantial luck, in which you would have acted different had circumstances been different. |
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Term
| Aristotle's Virtue Ethics |
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Definition
| One must stay on the "golden mean." The process of achieving the end is more important that achieving the end itself. One must rely on virtues to stay on the golden mean, and not stray too far from it ever. |
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Term
| 3 Levels of Saints and Heroes |
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Definition
1. One who does his duty with self control
2. One who does his duty with little effort
3. One who goes "above and beyond" his duty |
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Term
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Definition
| Actions that go "above and beyond" duty, but that are not required i.e. no one can criticize you for not doing such an action. |
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Term
| What does Urmson think about supererogatory actions in conjunction with moral theory? |
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Definition
| He says that moral theories should allow for actions that can be considered above and beyond the call of duty. |
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Term
| What does Frankena say about virtue ethics? |
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Definition
| Frankena thinks that virtues are good for moral education, but that "being" and "doing" are not the same thing. It is not enough to simply "be" a good person. One must act like a good person. |
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Term
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Definition
| A defensive philosophy that focuses on knowing what one has control over and what one must simply accept. Nothing makes you unhappy, you let yourself become unhappy. Trying to control "alien" things will lead to being miserable. Think of Spock |
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Term
| What is the difference between Stoicism and Virtue Ethics? |
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Definition
| Virtue Ethics is offensive and Stoicism is defensive |
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Term
| How does Frankl expand on Stoicism? |
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Definition
| One must not only endure suffering but find meaning in it; use it to become a better person. |
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Term
| What is Utility's understanding of "dirty hands?" |
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Definition
| Someone who refuses to "get their hands dirty" and, for example, kill one person for the benefit of many is merely squeamish. |
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Term
| Why does Mills say that Utility won't turn people into "swine?" |
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Definition
| Mills writes that pleasure involves not only the sensual-beer or Shakespeare? Mills would say that we have to consider the quality of the pleasure we pursue. |
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Term
| Why does Stockdale think it's best to either be sophisticated or simple in a POW camp? |
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Definition
| The simple will be able to resist conditioning simply because he can say "B.S." to whatever the interrogators say. The sophisticate is able to argue and is unswayed by brainwashing because he understands both sides of the issue. |
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Term
| What does Frankl believe about happiness? |
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Definition
| We don't pursue happiness; we search for a meaning to live. |
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