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

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

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

a universal rule

position people take on an issue

premises that support conclusions

a conclusion that someone has about a particular

issue, supported with reasons

the question that is being addressed

supporting evidence that gives an opinion credibility

the theory that there are two fundamentally different kinds of things in this world: bodies and minds

having the right or power of self-government; giving law to oneself

the theory that minds or spirits are all that exist; physical objects are only ideas in the mind

the problem of explaining the exact relationship

between our minds and our physical bodies in space

the theory that physical objects in space are the only things that exist; everything else is simply a combination of physical objects

based on the false assumption that deceit, lying, promise breaking, etc. are justified if they are the same sort engaged in by those you are dealing with

primary justification of “white lies” or withholding important information in personal or professional relationships

justification; plausible, not necessarily true, but reasons for

doing an action

substitutes legal requirements for personal moral judgment

based on the false presumption that necessity breeds propriety

applying everywhere and always

a process of questions and answers by which we

systematically reach deeper insights into the principles of truth and goodness

the belief that the thoughts and perceptions of

any given mind are bound together in a single consciousness

the theory that at least some human knowledge comes from reason, unaided by the senses, and therefore we can know about things that the senses do not reveal can know with greater certainty than the senses will allow

the theory that all human knowledge comes from

the evidence of our five senses, and therefore we can never know more, or know with greater certainty, than our senses will allow

according to Descartes, this is the gateway between the body and the mind

being aware of one's self

an awareness of one’s own awareness

voluntary choice or decision

the theory that acts of the will are causally determined by preceding events or natural laws; the most extreme case would be fatalism

the study of moral judgment

the love of wisdom; the systematic critical examination of the way in which we judge, evaluate and act, with the aim of making ourselves wiser, more self-reflective and therefore better

the study of social institutions; covers broad topics such as economics, sociology, politics, and sometimes religion

the study of the nature of reality; the study of the most fundamental principles of the nature of things

the study of knowledge; the study of how we come to know things, what the limits are of our knowledge, and what sort of certainty or uncertainty attaches to our knowledge

this test asks you to determine if the principle on which you are basing your action is consistent with a higher or more general principle you accept

this test focuses on the general results of an action you might take; you imagine what would happen if everyone in a situation similar to yours took this action

this test asks you to consider whether your action is consistent with other actions which are in the same category; you choose the hardest case and see if you would act the same way

this test asks you to empathize with the people who will be affected by the action you take

holds that rightness or wrongness of an act depends on the society in which it was committed

beliefs about what is good and important that form the basis of opinions on issues

a deductive argument where the conclusion is inferred from two premises

beliefs about what is true and factual that are sometimes stated, and sometimes implied; these are often taken for granted

a belief, based on the experience, observations or desires of an individual or group

a statement that has one class included in another class

ignores the fact that a loss of objectivity always prevents perception of the loss of objectivity, and ways in which gratitude, friendship or anticipation of future favors can affect judgement

justifies improper conduct done for others or for institutional purposes on the false assumption that personal gain is the only test of impropriety

persons who feel they are overworked or underpaid rationalize that minor “perks” are nothing more than fair compensation for services rendered

used to excuse misconduct based on the false assumption that one can violate ethical principles so long as there is no clear and immediate harm to others

a false “safety in numbers” rationale fed by the tendency to uncritically adopt cultural, organizational or occupational behavior systems as if they were ethical

a form of argument that builds and depends upon a series of conditions being met

the view that only the individual exists; everything else is only an idea in his or her mind

in deductive reasoning, a major premise which states that if the condition cited in the first part of a statement is true, then the 2nd part is also true

syllogisms with a key part or parts that are implied instead of being directly stated, with the supplied by the reader or listener

in a syllogism, this is the questionable premise; the premise under dispute

the highest values are to love God and to love one’s neighbor; based on

biblical principles

the highest value is that which promotes the greatest

general happiness and minimizes unhappiness

the highest value is equality; behavior is ethical when the same opportunities and consequences apply to all people

the highest value is to promote the liberty of all; allows a person freedom as long as it does not restrict

the freedom of others

universal ethical principles exist and are self-evident and are obvious to rational individuals of every culture

something that reflects the inner nature of an individual subject

an argument structured in a correct deductive format

a valid deductive argument whose premises are true

an argument whose premises are true

being true to the way the world really is, not merely reflecting the inner nature of an individual subject

the founder of modern utilitarianism; believes ethical decisions can be made using a mathematical equation of happiness; wrote “An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation”

a rationalist philosopher; he distinguished two sorts of truths: the Truths of Reasoning and the Truths of Fact; wrote “The Monadology"

considered the most brilliant, insightful consistent materialist since the times of ancient Greece; believed in absolutism of rulers; wrote Leviathan

the phrase “metaphysics” was coined in reference to his work; his essays on first philosophy came after his works

on physics

created the “Greatest Happiness Principle”; addressed an action’s general impact on the world

a rationalist, dualist philosopher who tried to address the mind-

body problem while explaining the physical universe; wrote Meditations;

the only truth he believed was,

“I think, therefore I am.”

was the most famous philosophers of all times;

believed that, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

was a brilliantly gifted, wealthy young man who was a student of Socrates; wrote, “The Republic ”; believed that government should be run by those who possessed the qualifications rather than popularity alone; was a teacher of Aristotle

an Empiricist philosopher; he adopted the blank white paper theory, the copy theory, and the atomic theory; wrote,

“A Treatise of Human Nature”

philosopher who strongly believed in

Epistemology; came up with the idea of compromising between rationalism and empiricism, and invented the phrase “unity of consciousness; created the theory of the categorical imperative; wrote Critique of Pure Reason

Which of the following is not one of the major schools of philosophy?

Which of the following is a means by which a person can strengthen their ability to be a critical thinker:

Although we don’t generally speak in syllogisms, it is important to understand the structure of them because it helps us as critical thinkers to determine if a thought is valid and sound.

Which of the following statements is not true?

Is the following statement valid or sound?

If you want to vote in the United States, you must be a citizen.

Svetlana voted in the last presidential election.

Therefore, Svetlana is a U.S. citizen.

Is the following statement valid or sound?

All men are slobs.

Joe is a man.

Therefore, Joe is a slob.

Is the following statement valid or sound?

All humans are mortal

Jamie is human.

Therefore, Jamie is mortal

Is the following statement valid or sound?

All women are terrible drivers.

Lisa is a woman.

Therefore, Lisa is a terrible driver.

What philosophical theory maintains that every event has a cause?

Which of the following is true about determinism and predestination:

A philosopher who believes in the existence of physical matter:

Although the theories of free will and determinism are often debated, in this country determinism is believed to be the correct explanation of the course of events.

According to the consciousness objection, we

are not merely material beings. It is because of this we are distinct from computers and machines.

Although materialism, idealism or dualism each attempt to explain existence, of these three the most accurate metaphysical explanation of existence comes through understanding dualism.

Where in society do you see the argument of free will vs. determinism argued most often?

According to free will, we are not morally responsible for our actions.

Which of the following type of determinist would ask whether outside influences and constraints forced an action or if actions were committed as a result of own internal volitions:

Honesty is very important to me, but when necessary I will cheat on an exam. (Just not this exam! Mrs. Dudley would be so disappointed!)

For this example:

Being well-read is important to me. When I have free time, however, I watch T.V.

For this example:

Being physically fit is important to me, but I eat fast food every single day.

For this example:

One of the major disadvantages of Kantian ethics is that it is very rigid - ethical principles should be adhered to regardless of the consequences.

Which of the following is not a reason to think about ethics:

Autonomous ethics arise from within oneself and the individual makes decisions about what constitutes moral or immoral action. With authoritarian ethics, decisions about right and wrong are given, by an authority, a society or deity and these laws are immutable and final.

One of the most important objections to utilitarianism is that

Immanuel Kant believed that the proper foundation of morality could be established by