Study
Questions for "Applying Moral Theories" Text
Based on readings in: Applying Moral Theories, C. E. Harris, Jr.
Back to SET Homepage Revised: 10/02/98 08:49 AM
Chapter 1 - What Is Ethics?
1. What are the three types of issues that are commonly involved in moral arguments?
2. What is a normative statement, and how do such statements differ from factual statements?
3. What are the four characteristics of ethical statements?
4. What is the difference between consequentialist and nonconsequentialist theories in ethics?
5. Explain the difference in meaning between the terms "good" and "right" as used in moral discourse.Chapter 2 - Are Morals Relative?
1. What three theses comprise the doctrine known as classical moral relativism?
2. What are some factors that might explain the apparent diversity of moral beliefs?
3. What is moral skepticism? Does it support the relativity thesis or not? Explain.
4. Does the diversity thesis establish the truth of moral relativism? Explain.
5. Does the toleration thesis establish the truth of moral relativism? Explain
6. Philosophers have identified several difficulties with classical moral relativism. Describe and explain at least four of them.
7. Explain Harman's distinction between "inner" and "outer" judgments. Do you think that this distinction overcomes the objections to classical moral relativism.
8. What are some objections to Harman's version of moral relativism? Explain.Chapter 3 - Is Morality Objective?
1. What are the main differences between ethical subjectivism and ethical relativism? Between ethical subjectivism and ethical objectivism? Explain these views.
2. What are two arguments that have been given for moral subjectivism? Do you find either of these arguments convincing? Explain.
3. What is the "open question test" and what does it purport to show?
4. What are some difficulties with accepting the intuitionist theory as a justification for moral objectivism?
5. What is the divine command theory? Do you think that any version of this view is capable of providing an adequate justification for moral objectivism? Explain.
6. Describe the main features of the view called "moral realism." Must realists hold that moral judgments are true or false independently of people's beliefs and values?
7. From the point of view of practical moral action, does it matter whether we know that moral realism is true or false? Explain.Chapter 4 - Moral Theories
1. What are the three levels of a moral theory? Explain the characteristics of each level and how they relate to one another using examples.
2. What are four criteria for evaluating the adequacy of moral theories? Explain each criteria using examples.
3. What are two kinds of problems that can arise in applying moral theories to practical cases calling for moral judgment or decision? Explain each of these types of problem.Chapter 5 - The Ethics of Egoism
1. Define in a careful and precise way the moral standard of ethical egoism
taking care to distinguish the "act" and "rule" versions of this theory.
2. Discuss either Hobbes' or Aristotle's account of "self-interest"? Do you think that these philosophers are correct in asserting that it is part of human nature to pursue one's self-interest or well-being?
3. Explain how the "paradox of egoism" lends support to the rule egoist position and to the self-actualization view.
4. What are some examples of duties to oneself and of duties to others that an ethical egoist might recognize? Explain.
5. What are some features of libertarianism and the doctrine of the minimal state? How might an egoist support a preference for these social philosophies?
6. How might an ethical egoist argue for an "extended state"? In particular, can Rawls' liberty and difference principles be reconciled with ethical egoism?
7. How well does ethical egoism measure up according to the standard criteria for evaluating moral theories? In your opinion, does ethical egoism provide an adequate and sufficient moral standard on which to base one's practical moral judgments? Explain your personal philosophical position.Chapter 6 - The Ethics of Natural Law
1. Define in a precise way the moral standard of natural law ethics. How do differing views of human nature and natural inclination affect the way in which this theory can be interpreted?
2. What is moral absolutism? How does this view support a nonconsequentialist approach to moral decision-making? Explain.
3. What is the Principle of Forfeiture and why is it useful to the natural law theorist? Explain.
4. What is the Principle of Double Effect and why is it useful to the natural law theorist? Explain.
5. How well does natural law theory measure up according to the standard criteria for evaluating moral theories? 6. In your opinion, does it provide an adequate and sufficient moral standard on which to base one's practical
moral judgments? Explain your personal philosophical position.Chapter 7 - The Ethics of Utilitarianism
1. Define in a precise way the moral standard of utilitarianism. What meanings can be given to the central notion of "utility"?
2. What is meant by the term "speciesism"? Do you think that utilitarians such as Bentham are correct in thinking that the suffering of animals should count as much as human suffering in determining utility?
3. What are the main differences between "act" and "rule" versions of utilitarianism? Of the two, which do you think provides a more plausible and justifiable moral standard?
4. What are some duties to oneself that seem to be justified under the utilitarian standard?
5. What are some duties to others that seem to be justified under the utilitarian standard?
6. How might a preference for an extended or welfare state be justified using a utilitarian moral standard?
7. How well does natural law theory measure up according to the standard criteria for evaluating moral theories? In your opinion, does it provide an adequate and sufficient moral standard on which to base one's practical moral judgments? Explain your personal philosophical position.Chapter 8 - The Ethics of Respect for Persons
1. What is the universalization principle and how can it be used to formulate the moral standard of respect for persons?
2. What is the self-defeating test? How does this test enable one to distinguish among actions that are morally prohibited, morally required, and morally permissible? Explain.
3. What is the means-end principle and how can it be used to formulate the moral standard of respect for persons?
4. What are some conditions of moral agency? How do these conditions help us to understand the concept of treating someone as a means only by using the negative test?
5. What is the principle of equality? How does this principle help us to determine whether or not we are treating persons as means only?
6. What is paternalism? What is the difference between weak and strong paternalism? Does the positive test support either weak or strong paternalism in some cases. Explain.
7. What are some duties to oneself that can be derived from the ethics of respect for persons?
8. What are some duties to others that can be derived from the ethics of respect for persons?
9. What kinds of social ethics are supported by the mean-end principle? In particular, how would this theory apply to the question of whether wealth ought to be redistributed in society?
10. How well does the ethics of respect for persons measure up according to the standard criteria for evaluating moral theories? In your opinion, does it provide an adequate and sufficient moral standard on which to base one's practical moral judgments? Explain your personal philosophical position.