Exam #1 Study Guide – Ethics

Definitions of morality, ethics

Definitions of the following normative ethical theories, as well as at least one of the arguments in support of each theory and at least one the objections that we discussed in class: Ethical relativism (including cultural and individual relativism), ethical egoism, divine command theory, natural law theory, care ethics.

Mill – Definitions of consequentialism, utilitarianism, and hedonism.

State the following objections and Mill’s response to them: Doctrine of the swine (and his distinction between intellectual and bodily pleasures), morality as self-sacrifice, too high for humanity, not enough time. Also, state the critique of hedonism, and the claim that utilitarianism conflicts with our conceptions of justice and individual rights.

Kant – Why good will is the only unqualifiedly good thing; identifying a clear case of good will: the four categories of action and examples illustrating them; the difference between categorical and hypothetical imperatives; the universal law and end in itself formulations of the categorical imperative; why a lie sets a double standard; why coercion and deception undermine the rationality and autonomy of the other person; and the moral status of animals.

Plato – The general definition of virtue; the three parts of the soul and their proper relations, and the four virtues of the soul; the objection that virtue ethics is too indeterminate and the response to it.

Essay Questions:

1. State which of the normative ethical theory you prefer and justify your choice by giving good reasons why this theory is preferable to the others. In the process, discuss two other theories in detail.

2. Recount in detail one of the objections to utilitarianism from the reading listed above and Mill’s response to it. Do you think that Mill’s response is successful? State another objection that you think would be more of a problem for utilitarianism and explain why you think so.

3. State and explain Kant’s end-in-itself formulation of the categorical imperative. Then explain why coercion and deception violate this moral principle. Finally, consider the dilemma of lying to save an innocent person’s life: How would Kant respond? Is he right? Why or why not?