PHIL 246 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Moral Relativism, Cultural Relativism, Principlism
Document Summary
Claims: an assertion, said with the intention of being true or false. Reasons and conclusions can come after different times in sentences. Good arguments: good reasons (premises) and good reasoning. Conclusion given should be helpful and provide guidance. Cultural relativism: what makes an action right or wrong is cultural consensus. 2 issues: think differently at different places and different times. The whole idea of moral progress is eliminated. Satisfactorily answering moral questions isn"t done by taking a census. Moral absolutism: what makes an action right does not depend on human belief. Certain actions are right and wrong no matter what. Since nation is not single-minded, cannot use faith. Moral worth of an action determined by its utility in providing happiness or pleasure. 2. ) actions should be evaluated in terms of their consequences. An action is right to the extent that is maximizes utility i. e. brings about a greater balance of pleasure over pain.
