Ethical Theories

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Famous 19th century philosopher J.S. Mill is known for defining the philosophical concept of _____________.

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utilitarianism

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Utilitarianism is a consequentialist concept that aims to guide decisions that...

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leads to the greatest happiness for the greatest number

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The deontological approach, shaped by German philosopher Immanuel Kant, focuses on guiding moral decisions towards ...

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adherence to moral rules, duties and obligations

Front

The harm principle is not designed to guide the actions of individuals but to restrict the scope of criminal law and government restrictions of personal liberty. True or False?

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True

Answer explanation

The Harm Principle says people should be free to act however they wish unless their actions cause harm to somebody else. The principle is a central tenet of the political philosophy known as liberalism and was first proposed by English philosopher John Stuart Mill.

The harm principle is not designed to guide the actions of individuals but to restrict the scope of criminal law and government restrictions of personal liberty. (True)

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The Divine Command Theory does not assume that ...

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God is bound by a moral standard of right and wrong.

Answer explanation

A and C are definite, whereas if everything right and wrong are predicated on the existence of a Divine Presence, then B would also be an assumption of the Divine Command Theory.

D is the answer because while the Divine Command Theory assumes we have to obey God, it does not mean God is bound by the same rules -- (a point that some critics use to attack the approach as a moral standard is illogicaly bound to an entity who does not need to be moral.)

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To Aristotle, ethical conduct lies within the Golden Mean, which is defined ...

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by the context of each moment, but avoiding extremes.

Answer explanation

A (Average response based on how everyone else acts) is not right since everyone could be acting in an extreme fashion (mob justice, etc). B (By societal acceptance of one's actions) is flawed on the same grounds given that society is not necessary moral. D is reflective of Divine Command Theory.

C is the answer because the key is to avoid extremes, even though the Golden Mean allows an adjustment of how morality defined over time and across societies. Divine Command Theory does not afford this flexibility

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Which is not a concern of Virtue Ethics?
Options: The immediate happiness of the greatest number, The joy and fulfilment of humanity, The thoughts and motives of the person in question, The outcomes of our actions

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The immediate happiness of the greatest number

Answer explanation

B (The joy and fulfiment of humanity) and C (The thoughts and motives of the person in question) are both the long term and short term goals of Virtue Ethics.

D (The outcomes of our actions) is actually a reasonable answer for those who pit it against the short term assessment of the motives of the person, but if you consider B, actually outcomes do matter in the long run.

A is the answer as Virtue Ethics is not focused on the immediate interests of the majority.

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What is not a way of being an ethical person according to Aristotle?

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Strictly abide by moral principles at all times.

Answer explanation

Both A (be a virtuous person, and good acts will follow) and B (mimic the morally good people who beacme before you) are key aspects of Virtue Ethics. Similarly, C (Upholad the traditioanl virtues of Courage, Prudence, etc.) is also part of that as these were the virtues determined by the social context of the time (and is linked to B through paragons who exemplify those virtues).

D is the answer as Virtue Ethics is not about strict, inflexible adherence to a set of principles.

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What is one similarity between Virtue Ethics and Consequentialism?

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Secular model for ethics allows consensus building between people of different belief systems

Answer explanation

There is no model of ethics that is removed from emotional noise. In some ways, C is an impossibility. The two models (Virtue Ethics and Consequentialism) above produce ethical dilemmas, not avoid them -- clashes in one virtue against another, as well as different ways to account for the greater good.