Philosophy Exam Review

a command that orders us to do something

unconditionally, regardless of our aims or purposes

• categorical imperative

• maxim

• formalist

• contexualist

• hard cases

describes real-life moral dilemmas in which ordinary moral opinions are either hopeless contradictory or else just confused

• categorical imperative

• maxim

• formalist

• contextualist

• hard cases

believes that each ethical problem must be judged individually; that each ethical situation is unique

• categorical imperative

• maxim

• formalist

• contextualist

• hard cases

believes that the criteria used in making ethical decisions are universal, apply to all men and women and should be known by all people

• categorical imperative

• maxim

• formalist

• contextualist

• hard cases

a universal rule

• categorical imperative

• maxim

• formalist

• contextualist

• hard cases

position people take on an issue

• argument

• issue

• conclusion

• substance

• reasons

premises that support conclusions

• argument

• issue

• conclusion

• substance

• reasons

a conclusion that someone has about a particular

issue, supported with reasons

• argument

• issue

• conclusion

• substance

• reasons

the question that is being addressed

• argument

• issue

• conclusion

• substance

• reasons

supporting evidence that gives an opinion credibility

• argument

• issue

• conclusion

• substance

• reasons