Test Reveiw

1. Course Introduction (EMP Ch1) 2. Logic Primer (RT, ch. 2) Relativist Ethics 3. Cultural Relativism (EMP ch. 2, BB) 4. Subjectivism (EMP ch. 3, RT ch. 7) Objective Ethics 5. Divine Command Theory and Natural Law (EMP ch. 4, RT ch. 5) 6. Abortion (RT ch. 10 and 11) 7. Egoism (EMP ch. 5) 8. Utilitarianism (EMP ch. 6 and 7, RT ch. 8)

LOGIC: 1. two types of arguments a. Deductive – strongest of the two i. Validity and soundness ii. If this type of argument is valid AND you think the conclusion is false, then there should be some premise that you also think is false. b. Inductive – “will” i. Weaker arguments ii. Conclusion is matter of probability iii. A strong inductive argument makes the conclusion probably iv. A weak inductive argument makes the conclusion possible 2. Some forms for Deductive arguments a. Modus ponens – “if it is raining, then I have my umbrella. It is raining. Therefore I have my umbrella. i. Common mistake: AFFIRMING THE CONSEQUENCE “If it is raining, then I have my umbrella. I have my umbrella. Therefore it is raining. b. Modus Tollens – “if it is raining then I have my umbrella. It is not the case I have my umbrella. Therefore it is not the case it is raining. i. Common mistake: DENYING THE ANTECEDENT “if it is raining, then I have my umbrella. It is not the case that it is raining. Therefore, it is not the case that I have my umbrella. c. Disjunctive Syllogism (process of elimination) “either red or blue is his favorite color. It is not the case that red is his favorite color. Therefore, blue is his favorite color. 3. Some common informal fallacies to avoid a. Ad Hominem – the attempt to rebut a claim by criticizing its source b. Straw Man – the attempt to refute a position by exaggerating,

c. d. e. f. 4. 5. 6. 7.

distorting or otherwise misrepresenting it. Hasty generalization: over generalization or stereotyping Red herring – introducing a new topic into the conversation to distract from the original topic Argument from Popularity (or unpopularity) – using fact that a certain position is popular (or unpopular) as support for that position Appeal to Authority – appealing to statements by others to support a position.

Conclusion – the thing you are trying to prove Premises – the reasons given in support of the conclusion Validity – is a question of structure only Soundness is a question of truth applied to the premises of a valid argument.

ETHICS 1. There is a large distinction between 2 types of claims (purported truths): a. Objective – there exists some universal conception/standard of right/wrong b. Subjective – there does not exist some universal conception/standard or right/wrong 2. Ethics seeks RIGHT/WRONG NOOOOT GOOD/BAD 3. Three things to explain in ethics a. What is morally obligatory? i. What the moral code of a culture tells you is obligatory b. What is morally permissible? i. What the moral code of a culture tells you is permissible c. What is morally impermissible? i. What the moral code of a culture tells you is impermissible

CULTURE RELATIVISM 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

No objective distinction between right and wrong. Says that there is no moral progress in the world Compares ethics to science There are no true objective moral standards There is no standard by which to compare cultures The moral code of a culture is what determines what is right/wrong in that culture a. Factors: time and place b. Immoral is never immoral except when time and place define moral. i. What is morally obligatory? 1. What the moral code of a culture tells you is obligatory ii. What is morally permissible? 1. What the moral code of a culture tells you is permissible

iii. What is morally impermissible? 1. What the moral code of a culture tells you is impermissible 7. Arguments in favor a. Cultural differences b. Arugment from tolerence 8. Arguments against a. Moral comparisons i. Argument from moral progress b. Moral reformers c. Moral truths vs. mere custom i. Moral truths are backed by reasons/arguments, social morals cannot be backed up ***SOME BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE IN THE WORLD HAS THE SAME COMMON MORALS, JUST DIFFERENT WAYS OF EXPRESSING IT!! *** DESCRIPTIVE CULTURAL RELATIVISM 1. Cultures disagree about matters of morality.

Utility: consequences matter most Good - right and virtue Deontology: rule based ethics Right good and virtue Virtue Based: virtues, character traits are what matters most Virtue  right and good

SUBJECTIVISM I.

Simple subjectivism: morality is nothing over and above a matter of individual feeling or sentiment. a. Making a moral judgment is simply making a judgment about our own attitudes. APPROVAL or DISAPPROVAL b. Arguments for

II.

Emotivism a. Cognitive Meaning just in case it is used to say something true or false b. Emotive Meaning just in case it is used to express emotion **Moral “judgments” are not truly judgments as they are neither true nor false. **Moral “judgments” are commands or expressions of desire or emotion. **Moral “judgments” have no cognitive meaning, but do contain emotive meaning.

Aka… BOO/HURRAH!