Chapter 4

Question 1

Moral judgements –

Answer 1

beliefs we have about specific situations or actions - It would be wrong to lie to your friend

Question 2

Moral principles –

Answer 2

beliefs about kinds of situations or actions - Lying is wrong.

Question 3

Moral theories -

Answer 3

criteria for correctness of moral principles - do unto others as you would have done unto you

Question 4

“A moral theory …

Answer 4

is an explanation of what makes an action right or what makes a person or thing good

Question 5

What does a moral theory tell us?

Answer 5

that a particular action is right (or wrong) because is has this property or characteristic

Question 6

theories of values concern -

Answer 6

the goodness of persons or things

Question 7

Theories of obligation concern -

Answer 7

the rightness or wrongness of actions

Question 8

How to moral theories and moral arguments work together?

Answer 8

a statement expressing a moral theory may itself act as a moral premise in an argument

Question 9

A moral theory is not…

Answer 9

the final authority

Question 10

Major theories - Consequentialism

Answer 10

the view that “what makes an action right is its consequences.” the morally right action is the one that results in the most favorable balence of good over bad

Question 11

Major theories - Nonconsequentialism

Answer 11

The view that the rightness of an action does not depend entirely on its consequences. it’s depends completely on the nature of the action itself

Question 12

Major theories - Utilitarianism

Answer 12

the view that the morally right action is the one that produces the most favorable balance of good over evil, everyone considered

Question 13

Major theories - Act Utilitarianism

Answer 13

the view that right actions are those that directly produce the greatest overall good, everyone considered

Question 14

Majories theories - Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 14

the view that the morally right action is the one covered by a rule that, if generally followed, would produce the most favorable balance of good over evil, everyone considered

Question 15

Major theories - Ethical egoism

Answer 15

the view that the morally right action is the one that produces the most favorable balance of good over evil for ones self

Question 16

Kantian ethics -

Answer 16

The morally right action is one done in accordance with the categorical imperative -
a supreme moral rules statting that you should one act on principles that you would want everyone else to follow as a universal law

Question 17

Natural Law theory -

Answer 17

Natural law reflects how the world is as well as how it should be. People are supposed to live according to natural law - that is, to fulfill their natural purpose. They must do what they were designed to do by God.

Question 18

the divine command theory -

Answer 18

says that the morally right action is the one that God commands.

Question 19

What are the characteristics of a good moral theory?

Answer 19

It is coherent, its central claims are consistent with each other - they are not contradictory
- A moral theory should be consistent with and explain our considered moral judgments
- a moral theory should also be consistent with fundamental facts about our moral experiences
- its also have to be useful