DEO ANNOTATED 4

Question 1

True or false: There is something right about truth telling and promise keeping even when it may cause harm.

Answer 1

TRUE

This principle emphasizes the importance of honesty and keeping promises.

Question 2

What does the term deontology refer to?

Answer 2

Theory of duty

It emphasizes the importance of right actions and intentions over the consequences.

Question 3

Who founded Stoicism?

Answer 3

Zeno of Citium

Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy that emphasizes rationality and virtue.

Question 4

What does kathêkon mean in Stoic philosophy?

Answer 4

Appropriate action

It refers to actions that are required or prescribed, akin to modern notions of duty.

Question 5

According to Stoicism, what is considered evil?

Answer 5

Performing actions that go against one’s nature

Such actions are seen as irrational or unwise.

Question 6

What is the main idea of Divine Command Theory?

Answer 6

Morality is based on God’s commands

It identifies right actions with what God has commanded and wrong actions with what God has forbidden.

Question 7

What are the two main types of Divine Command Theory?

Answer 7

• Scriptural Divine Command Theory
• Natural Law Theory

Scriptural theory relies on sacred texts, while natural law theory is based on human nature.

Question 8

What is a major difficulty with Divine Command Theory?

Answer 8

Different interpretations of God’s will

This leads to challenges in determining moral obligations.

Question 9

What does Kantian ethics emphasize?

Answer 9

Moral actions are determined by duty and reason

It focuses on the moral law within and the necessity of acting ethically regardless of God’s existence.

Question 10

What is the motto of Enlightenment according to Kant?

Answer 10

Sapere aude (Dare to know)

This reflects the emphasis on using reason and understanding independently.

Question 11

What are the two main questions philosophy should address according to Kant?

Answer 11

• What can I know?
• What ought I to do?

These questions guide the exploration of knowledge and ethics.

Question 12

What does phenomenon refer to in Kant’s philosophy?

Answer 12

The world as it appears to us

It involves everything observable, shaped by our perception.

Question 13

What is the difference between phenomenon and noumenon?

Answer 13

• Phenomenon: observable world
• Noumenon: things as they are in themselves

Kant argues we can only know the former, not the latter.

Question 14

What is the term for the reality as it is in-itself, often called the thing-in-itself?

Answer 14

NOUMENON

The noumenon represents the reality that is independent of our perception.

Question 15

What are the two elements that constitute our knowledge of an object according to Kant?

Answer 15

• Material (provided by our senses)
• Formal (part of our reason)

These elements are referred to as a posteriori and a priori.

Question 16

Define a posteriori knowledge.

Answer 16

Knowledge derived from or based on experience

Example: Knowing a tree with a broken branch.

Question 17

Define a priori knowledge.

Answer 17

Knowledge derived or based on reason alone, without experience

Example: Knowing that the tree cannot be a tree & not a tree at the same time.

Question 18

True or false: Kant believes that ethics can be founded on the commands of God.

Answer 18

FALSE

Kant argues that morality is independent of God’s and everyone’s will.

Question 19

What are the three postulates of Kant’s ethical theory?

Answer 19

• God
• Soul
• Freedom

These postulates are noumenal and cannot be proven to exist.

Question 20

What is the categorical imperative?

Answer 20

A command of reason that requires us to act in a certain way regardless of personal desires

It is central to Kant’s moral philosophy.

Question 21

What is the first form of the Categorical Imperative?

Answer 21

Act only on that maxim that you can will as a universal law

This is also known as the Principle of Universality.

Question 22

What does Kant mean by maxim?

Answer 22

A subjective principle according to which we determine behavior

It expresses our duty to perform an act.

Question 23

What is the second form of the Categorical Imperative?

Answer 23

Always treat humanity as an end and never merely as a means

This emphasizes the intrinsic value of rational beings.

Question 24

What is the third form of the Categorical Imperative?

Answer 24

Act so that your will can regard itself as making universal law through its maxims

This form emphasizes autonomy in moral decision-making.

Question 25

What does Kant say about the **moral worth** of an action?

Answer 25

It does not depend on the expected result but on the motive aligned with duty ## Footnote Good will is the only thing good without qualification.

Question 26

What is the **deontological nature** of Kant’s ethical view?

Answer 26

Moral action is duty-bound and must be prompted by recognition of duty ## Footnote Acting for self-interest is not considered a genuinely moral act.

Question 27

What is the significance of **human respect and dignity** in Kant's ethics?

Answer 27

They serve as the basic values of morality stemming from rationality and autonomy ## Footnote This explains why practices like slavery and rape are always immoral.

Question 28

What does Kant argue about the **rights of others**?

Answer 28

They are sacred and must be upheld ## Footnote Infringing on these rights is considered a serious moral violation.

Question 29

What is the **principle of autonomy** in Kant's philosophy?

Answer 29

The belief that individuals legislate universal moral principles for themselves ## Footnote It opposes heteronomy, where actions are motivated by external authorities.

Question 30

What are the **basic values of morality** according to the text?

Answer 30

* Dignity * Autonomy ## Footnote These values stem from a person's rationality and autonomy.

Question 31

Why are **slavery and rape** considered immoral?

Answer 31

Complete denial of the victim’s autonomy ## Footnote These acts represent the most extreme examples of duress and coercion.

Question 32

What does **paternalism** assume?

Answer 32

The rights and privileges of a parent toward another adult ## Footnote The principle of humanity explains why we should not adhere to paternalism.

Question 33

What does our **autonomy** justify regarding hope in people?

Answer 33

Never abandoning hope ## Footnote The chance that a hard-hearted man will change may be very small, but it never reduces to zero.

Question 34

What are **universal human rights**?

Answer 34

Moral rights that protect human beings from certain kinds of treatment ## Footnote These rights entitle each of us to a minimum of respect, just because we are human.

Question 35

What does our **autonomy** explain about accountability?

Answer 35

We should hold one another accountable for our deeds and misdeeds ## Footnote This includes actions like abusing one’s power as a government official.

Question 36

According to Kant, how do we determine what is right and wrong?

Answer 36

By reason, not by any higher authority ## Footnote This includes rejecting the influence of God or the Church.

Question 37

What is a **moral action** according to Kant?

Answer 37

One which proceeds from the proper motive, the ‘good will’ or a recognition of duty ## Footnote Duties are categorical demands on our behavior.

Question 38

How are **duties** determined in Kant's moral philosophy?

Answer 38

By the attempt to universalize the maxim underlying an action ## Footnote If the maxim can be universalized without contradiction, it is a moral maxim.

Question 39

What is the **ultimate duty** in Kant's moral system?

Answer 39

To act in accordance with the categorical imperative ## Footnote This includes treating others as ends in themselves.

Question 40

What does the **Realm of Ends** represent?

Answer 40

The ideal moral community where everyone treats everyone else as ends in themselves ## Footnote Kant emphasizes consistency and universality as cornerstones of the moral system.

Question 41

True or false: Not every **universal maxim** is a moral one according to critics of Kant.

Answer 41

TRUE ## Footnote Critics argue that Kant does not provide clear guidance on distinguishing moral duties from absurd imperatives.

Question 42

What is a criticism of Kant's theory regarding **moral dilemmas**?

Answer 42

It provides no substantive help in making moral decisions ## Footnote This is particularly relevant in everyday life situations.

Question 43

What example from **Plato’s Republic** is used to criticize Kant's theory?

Answer 43

The madman who lent someone an axe ## Footnote This example illustrates aspects of Kant’s theory that fall outside of our moral intuitions.

Question 44

What does Kant's approach encourage according to critics?

Answer 44

A cold and calculative approach to ethics ## Footnote Critics argue that this perspective is problematic.

Question 45

What does Bernard Williams argue about adopting an **impersonal perspective**?

Answer 45

It may be possible for factual considerations, but not for practical, moral deliberations ## Footnote Adopting this perspective can lead to losing one's place in the world and sense of self.