AP MODR 1730 Test 1
Theory of the right - ANS) Definition: tells us what is morally right and what is morally
wrong
Subdivided into two types
Teleological theories
Deontological theories
Teleological theories - ANS) focus on consequences (forward looking)
Deontological theories - ANS) look backward at some nonconsequential feature, such
as motive or God's command
Ethical egoism - ANS) the view that everyone ought to act in his or her rational self
interest (defended by psychological egoism)
Mill's original theory - ANS) act utilitarianism since it focuses on the act rather than the
rule being followed by the act.
Modified version of Mills theory - ANS) rule utilitarianism- an emphasis on moral rules
rather than action (an act is judged right or wrong by reference to whether the rule being
followed is right or wrong)
Divine command theory - ANS) deontological theory, an act is right if and because God
commands it and wrong if and because God forbids it (God is the source of morality)
Slave morality - ANS) any theory or religion making obedience a virtue
Natural Law Theory - ANS) deontological theory, God created the world following a
divine plan called eternal law (according to the law everything in nature has a purpose),
the divine plan includes a natural law that can be discerned by humans using the
natural light of reason (one ought to do good and avoid evil). Science opposes this
(describes what happens- do not ascribe purposes) and so does the fact that not all
natural inclinations are consistent or good.
Ethical subjectivism - ANS) The view that moral judgments are based on subjective
feelings of approval or disapproval, view about the factual basis of morality.
Meta-ethical theory - ANS) tells us what morality is based on as a matter of fact, not
what morality ought to be.
Cultural ethical relativism - ANS) deontological theory, the view that what is right is
whatever a culture says is right, and what is wrong is whatever a culture thinks is wrong.
Leads us to believe we cannot make cross cultural judgements.
Individual relativism - ANS) the view that what is right or wrong is whatever an individual
thinks is right or wrong. "Morality is just a matter of opinion". Incorrect because people
can make mistakes with their moral reasoning, this view forbids moral reasoning.
Prima facie - ANS) Duties are prima facie in that they can be overridden by other moral
considerations. There can be conflicts between prima facie duties such that we cannot
satisfy them all (must make a decision based on moral intuition)
, Intuitionism - ANS) various features can make an act right, some backwards looking,
some forwards looking. There can be conflicts between duties (see prima facie) that we
must resolve using moral intuition.
Theory of good - ANS) tries to tell us what is good and what is bad
Hedonism - ANS) standard theory of good, the view that the good is pleasure. Defended
by two distinctions- intrinsic vs instrumental value, higher vs lower pleasures.
Intrinsic value - ANS) something is good or bad in itself apart from its use or
consequences.
Instrumental value - ANS) it is good or bad depending on how it is used.
Higher pleasure - ANS) involve the use of intellect. Better.
Lower pleasure - ANS) involves the senses.
Virtue Theory - ANS) Aristotle
There is a distinction between intellectual (reasoning) and moral (mean between excess
and deficiency) virtue. Some actions do not involve any means but are always wrong
(contradicts all other theories). A theory of what to be (model after moral heros) rather
than what to do.
Rights Theory - ANS) Claim-rights: personal rights, rights entail other people's duties, so
in an indirect way, rights do include duties.
Negative right - ANS) duty of non interference.
Positive right: - ANS) entitlement that requires the positive action of others (not just
noninterference).
What rights do people have: - ANS) Constitution
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Involve law a bit but not just law
Social Contract Theory - ANS) It is in everyones self interest to live together in a society
rather than alone in a state of nature. To live in a society however, people must agree to
follow certain rules and these rules imply corresponding rights. Every citizen tacitly
makes such an agreement (the social contract) to get the benefits of living in society.
Without it society would be impossible.
Feminist Theory - ANS) Emphasizes the moral experience of women (interested in
where women would stand on an issue- moral thinking of women rather than men), and
it focuses on the subordination or oppression of women in the male- dominated society.
Analyses power of men over women. Critical of theories discussed so far, in that they
ignore the experience of women and contribute to the oppression of women.
Feminism - ANS) a movement that is about power or domination that men have over
women.
Hume - ANS) Ethical subjectivism
Moral judgements are not based on reason but on sentiment, feelings of approval or
disapproval
Since morals influence actions and affection they cannot be derived from reason
because reason because reason alone can never have any such influence. The rules of
morality, therefore, are not conclusions of our reason but of our sentiment. (ex incest,
intentional murder, ingratitude).
Morality lies within yourself not the object. If you say something is immoral all you mean
is that contemplating it creates within yourself negative emotions.
Theory of the right - ANS) Definition: tells us what is morally right and what is morally
wrong
Subdivided into two types
Teleological theories
Deontological theories
Teleological theories - ANS) focus on consequences (forward looking)
Deontological theories - ANS) look backward at some nonconsequential feature, such
as motive or God's command
Ethical egoism - ANS) the view that everyone ought to act in his or her rational self
interest (defended by psychological egoism)
Mill's original theory - ANS) act utilitarianism since it focuses on the act rather than the
rule being followed by the act.
Modified version of Mills theory - ANS) rule utilitarianism- an emphasis on moral rules
rather than action (an act is judged right or wrong by reference to whether the rule being
followed is right or wrong)
Divine command theory - ANS) deontological theory, an act is right if and because God
commands it and wrong if and because God forbids it (God is the source of morality)
Slave morality - ANS) any theory or religion making obedience a virtue
Natural Law Theory - ANS) deontological theory, God created the world following a
divine plan called eternal law (according to the law everything in nature has a purpose),
the divine plan includes a natural law that can be discerned by humans using the
natural light of reason (one ought to do good and avoid evil). Science opposes this
(describes what happens- do not ascribe purposes) and so does the fact that not all
natural inclinations are consistent or good.
Ethical subjectivism - ANS) The view that moral judgments are based on subjective
feelings of approval or disapproval, view about the factual basis of morality.
Meta-ethical theory - ANS) tells us what morality is based on as a matter of fact, not
what morality ought to be.
Cultural ethical relativism - ANS) deontological theory, the view that what is right is
whatever a culture says is right, and what is wrong is whatever a culture thinks is wrong.
Leads us to believe we cannot make cross cultural judgements.
Individual relativism - ANS) the view that what is right or wrong is whatever an individual
thinks is right or wrong. "Morality is just a matter of opinion". Incorrect because people
can make mistakes with their moral reasoning, this view forbids moral reasoning.
Prima facie - ANS) Duties are prima facie in that they can be overridden by other moral
considerations. There can be conflicts between prima facie duties such that we cannot
satisfy them all (must make a decision based on moral intuition)
, Intuitionism - ANS) various features can make an act right, some backwards looking,
some forwards looking. There can be conflicts between duties (see prima facie) that we
must resolve using moral intuition.
Theory of good - ANS) tries to tell us what is good and what is bad
Hedonism - ANS) standard theory of good, the view that the good is pleasure. Defended
by two distinctions- intrinsic vs instrumental value, higher vs lower pleasures.
Intrinsic value - ANS) something is good or bad in itself apart from its use or
consequences.
Instrumental value - ANS) it is good or bad depending on how it is used.
Higher pleasure - ANS) involve the use of intellect. Better.
Lower pleasure - ANS) involves the senses.
Virtue Theory - ANS) Aristotle
There is a distinction between intellectual (reasoning) and moral (mean between excess
and deficiency) virtue. Some actions do not involve any means but are always wrong
(contradicts all other theories). A theory of what to be (model after moral heros) rather
than what to do.
Rights Theory - ANS) Claim-rights: personal rights, rights entail other people's duties, so
in an indirect way, rights do include duties.
Negative right - ANS) duty of non interference.
Positive right: - ANS) entitlement that requires the positive action of others (not just
noninterference).
What rights do people have: - ANS) Constitution
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Involve law a bit but not just law
Social Contract Theory - ANS) It is in everyones self interest to live together in a society
rather than alone in a state of nature. To live in a society however, people must agree to
follow certain rules and these rules imply corresponding rights. Every citizen tacitly
makes such an agreement (the social contract) to get the benefits of living in society.
Without it society would be impossible.
Feminist Theory - ANS) Emphasizes the moral experience of women (interested in
where women would stand on an issue- moral thinking of women rather than men), and
it focuses on the subordination or oppression of women in the male- dominated society.
Analyses power of men over women. Critical of theories discussed so far, in that they
ignore the experience of women and contribute to the oppression of women.
Feminism - ANS) a movement that is about power or domination that men have over
women.
Hume - ANS) Ethical subjectivism
Moral judgements are not based on reason but on sentiment, feelings of approval or
disapproval
Since morals influence actions and affection they cannot be derived from reason
because reason because reason alone can never have any such influence. The rules of
morality, therefore, are not conclusions of our reason but of our sentiment. (ex incest,
intentional murder, ingratitude).
Morality lies within yourself not the object. If you say something is immoral all you mean
is that contemplating it creates within yourself negative emotions.
