Applied Ethics

Question 1

Utilitarianism Simulated Killing

Answer 1

Generally fine
- No causal link between SK and violence, just between aggression and risk taking

Question 2

Act Utilitarianism Eating Animals

Answer 2

Bentham says animals can feel + understand pain
- So if an animal is killed humanely, painless way it’s justified

However this rarely happens so usually unjustifiable

Question 3

Rule Utilitarianism Eating animals

Answer 3

Animals aren’t morally significant enough and it benefits society (makes people who ARE morally significant healthier)

So it’s justified

Question 4

Utilitarianism lying + stealing

Answer 4

Depends on situation

If lying/stealing bring more pleasure than the pain it brings, it’s justified

Question 5

Meta-Ethics “Lying/stealing is wrong”

Answer 5

Prescriptivism: You shouldn’t lie/steal
Error theory: It’s wrong to say lying/stealing is wrong because all moral properties are wrong
Emotivism: Expressing an emotion that we feel lying/stealing is wrong

Question 6

Deontology First Formulation: Lying+Stealing

Answer 6

Always wrong

It’s a contradiction in will as if everyone lied and stole it would negatively effect you

Question 7

Deontology Second formulation: Lying/Stealing

Answer 7

Always Wrong

It’s using people as a means to an end:

• Lying: Not giving people all the facts so therefore not protecting their will
• Stealing: Again not protecting their will as you are taking something from them

Question 8

Deontology Simulated killing: First + Second Formulation

Answer 8

• First: May cause a contradiction in will.
  If everyone participated in SK a lot, there would be no one to sow crops etc
• Second: Wouldn’t use people as a means to an end as the actors consent to playing the role.

Question 9

Deontology Eating animals

Answer 9

Kant says animals aren’t rational thinkers, so not morally significant, so it’s justified.

Question 10

Virtue Ethicist view on Stealing + Lying

Answer 10

Permissible as long as it’s in virtue.

• e.g. lying when not needed is a vice and therefore unjustified

Use practical wisdom.

Question 11

Virtue Ethics: Simulated killing

Answer 11

Aristotle states SK can be a form of catharsis; a way to practice experiencing right emotions when seeing killing as part of forming practical wisdom.

Eg feeling disgust at gore instead of enjoyment

Question 12

Virtue Ethics: Eating animals

Answer 12

Similar to what Aristotle says about SK - allows us to practise courage when killing animals.

Justified if in virtue:

• eg JP eating only meat to make a point to the vegans and ends up in coma. Practical wisdom is off, vice of excess.
• eg vegan on a desert island and only food is meat, but they don’t eat it. Practical wisdom is off, vice of stubbornness