PHIL201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Muesli, Moral Absolutism, Consequentialism
6 Jun 2018
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WEEK 2!
REVIEW!
Morality is distinct from Law, Convention, subjective preferences, economics!
Metaethics considers questions of moral objective/ subjective relativism, realism/ antirealism!
Normative ethics: objectivity, impartiality and justification are fundamental to moral discourse!
Errors in moral reasoning
—> issue we all have other perspectives, values, opinions!
Different preferences!
-moral judgements and beliefs may mistaken about relevant non-moral facts!
-Maybe I find it wrong to play violent video games !
-We need to be clear about non moral facts!
-We have to be sensitive #
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in your first assigntment, what issues do we have ( 11:00 min in lecture)!
-Biases( Vorurteile) !
-Put your view in the place of other people, don’t think about your own interest, take a different
perspective in the assignment#
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Perspective taking and virtues!
-People all have different views and it is important to consider the perspectives of those who
may be affected by the decision in question!
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Virtues Ethics: !
Another useful way of thinking about moral situations is in terms of the character or virtues of the
person performing #
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Useful Guide: !
1) Determine the facts of the case!
2) Define the relevant ethical issues and points of ethical conflict!
3) Identify affected parties!
4) Identify the positle consequences of alternative courses of action for different parties!
5) Identify relevant moral rules, principles and values!
6) Weigh up competing moral printiples and reasons#
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What is the right thing to do?!
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—> Consequentialist theories:!
-an action is right if it produces the best consequences and wrong it it does not:!
Non-Consequentialist:#
actions can be right or wrong in dependably of consequences #
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Utilitarianism:!
-form of consequencessesn!
-Right: the action that produces the most utility for all those affected by act!
-Each persons happiness counts equally (equal consideration of interests)!
-I must choose the option that produces more overall utility even if I a personally
disadvantageantaged!
-Some utilitarians want to maximize preferences some want to maximize pleasure!
-—> maximize happiness!
-the right action should create more value than any other action!
Should create more of anything as any other option!
-every happiness is counting the same, every person is equal!
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Key points to remember:#
- just a singles principle- maximize utility- to apply to all moral decision making!
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Document Summary
Morality is distinct from law, convention, subjective preferences, economics. Metaethics considers questions of moral objective/ subjective relativism, realism/ antirealism. Normative ethics: objectivity, impartiality and justi cation are fundamental to moral discourse. > issue we all have other perspectives, values, opinions. Moral judgements and beliefs may mistaken about relevant non-moral facts. Maybe i nd it wrong to play violent video games. We need to be clear about non moral facts. We have to be sensitive in your rst assigntment, what issues do we have ( 11:00 min in lecture) Put your view in the place of other people, don"t think about your own interest, take a di erent perspective in the assignment. People all have di erent views and it is important to consider the perspectives of those who may be a ected by the decision in question. Another useful way of thinking about moral situations is in terms of the character or virtues of the person performing.
