What are the two major philosophies?
Consequentialism and deontology
What is consequentalism?
Consequentialism is a philosophy that decides whether an action is good or bad depending on whether the outcome bring more benefit than harm (if it brings more benefit, it is good, and vice versa). It also values the overall happiness of people.
What is deontology
- Deontology is a philosophy that decides whether an action is good or bad depending on a person’s duty as well as rules and regulations.
What are the strengths of consequentalism?
- Offers clear and practical guidance in situations where the outcome is easy to predict.
- The theory is impartial (selfishness and personal biases set aside) since it focuses on providing the most benefit to the largest amount of people.
What are the strengths of deontology?
- Deontology is consistent. Since everyone is assigned ethical duties, the theory can be easily applied to situations.
- Ethics are in our control since we can control our intentions (which the theory is based out of)
- It prevents people from acting in a way that only benefits themselves and not others.
- There is no middle ground so there is either a right or wrong decision which allows people to make decisions in a more educated way.
What are the flaws of consequentalism?
Consequentialism:
* Different benefits can be hard to measure in terms of what’s best morally.
* Can lead to justifying harming people if the overall outcome is good.
What are the flaws of deontology?
- Deontology can be inflexible and not consider what the consequences can result in.
- It can make people guilty of the decisions they make since it is based on a set of laws and not the outcome of each scenario.
What were the major causes of the American revolution (in order)?
The French and Indian War
The Seven Years’ War (particularly affect on British debt), The stamp act
The Boston massacre
The Boston tea party
Intolerable acts
The First Continental congress
34 colonists swearing before the judge
The French and Indian War
Part of seven year war. British fought from 1756-1763. It was against the France and Native American allies. Britain won and doubled territory. Across the red line boundary, colonists cannot settle west. Because of this war, Britain had a lot of debt.
The Stamp Act
This took place in March 1765 after seven years’ war. It was tax on paper and newspapers (and could only come from London) which people had to pay with hard British currency. Stamps also had to be paid for. This made colonists angry and British sent troops in.
The Boston Massacre
Took place March 5, 1770. Basically an angry mob threatened British soldiers, and 5 Americans were killed as a result (which made people very angry).
the Boston Tea Party
December, 1773. People were mad because of the British’s tax on tea. Colonists were angry and dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor (equal to $100,000)
the Intolerable Acts
As a result of the Boston tea party, the intolerable acts happened.
The Boston port bill fined Boston for the tea destroyed and closed the harbor until fines were paid.
The Government bill rewrote the Massachusetts colony’s charter granted broadly expanded powers to the royal governor.
The administration of Justice act authorized the governor to send indicted government officials to other colonies or to London trial.
The quartering act (applied to all North American colonies) allowed British troops to be housed at private buildings.
The first Continental Congress
Colonists were mad about the Intolerable acts, so they held this congress to get organized and have more negotiation power. “Taxation w/out representation”
34 colonists swearing before the judge
34 colonists testified that a large body of British troops fired at them causing instant causalities. In defense, the colonists fired back
British national debt
After seven years war, national debt nearly doubled and GB has to raise money and pay off debt. This led to taxation (Stamp acts)
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
Took place April 19, 1775 and was the shot heard around the world. Only the colonists’ guns and powers were british afterwards. The effect was the revolutionary war
Who heavily influenced the Declaration of Independence?
John Locke
Summary of the Declaration of Independence:
The document is a public statement regarding why America wants to break free from Britain which is primarily due to incompatibility and it also claims that each person would have unalienable rights under the new government.
What is preamble stating in first two lines?
A group of people are now incompatible with “another” group.
What is preamble ultimately advocating?
This group should break away.
Why did the speaker use the phrase, “Should declare the causes which impel them to the separation”?
Criminals do not declare their crimes, so they are announcing how they are justified in separation.
What good idea is first sentence of second paragraph proclaiming?
- Life
- All men are created equal
- Liberty
- Pursuit of happiness
This is ironic because it states all men and at that time period there was heavy prejudice against ethnic groups and women. It also had slavery.
What philosopher influenced the declaration?
John Locke
