Ethics, the basics

13 important questions on Ethics, the basics

Which idea about virtues invented by Kant, Hume and De Sade became dominant during the Enlightenment period?

Sein und Sollen/Is and Ought/Anything goes. Which means that facts and norms are different things and just because we do certain things, does not mean that they have to be done that way

What are the theories on the measure of the good, absolutism and relativism, about?

Theories on the measure of the good are about how to measure the good. It is about finding the absolute ethical norms or about realising that there are no absolute truths and that they are all socially constructed

What is Rawls' idea of the reflective equilibrium, considering the course of ethics, about?

It is about the idea that we disagree about all sorts of principles in the real world and that we have to find a way to live together. This is by finding principles that avoid conflict and allow us to live together, which is done through politics. This is not something stable and can differ over time and between cultures
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

What were the ideas from the Greek and Roman philosophers in the school of virtue ethics?

The natural environment and society determine what a virtue is. This means that it can differ per context and culture

What were the ideas from the church and Augustine and Thomas in the school of virtue ethics during the Middle Ages?

Virtues became absolute things that should apply always and everywhere. Things like truth and truthfulness

In what way can Machiavelli be considered a philosopher in the school of virtue ethics?

Machiavelli went back to nature and the Greek way of thinking. He considered virtues technical things that allow you to achieve your goal

In what way are Philippa Foot and Martha Nussbaum philosophers of the school of virtue ethics?

They saw virtues as things you can flourish and that helped to maximise society. Nussbaum went beyond it and turned it into a Rawlsian theory of ethics

Who were the inventors of consequentialism during the enlightenment?

Bentham and Helvetius

How did Mill reform the utilitarian strand of consequentialism?

He introduced the harm principle, freedom of experience and the distinction between joy and happiness.
That you should do everything that makes you happy, as long as you do not harm other people

Considering the function of ethics, how can nudging be best defined?

It is a way of making people do what they would already do, when they took the time to reflect on it

What was Kant's perspective in the school of deontology ethics?

To remove the goals and to focus on duty and doing the thing that is intrinsically good and according to the univerzalizable and the categorical imperative

What is the rights-based deontology of Rawls and Nozick?

It was based on uiversalizability and what we need in life. Only according to this view, you can defend the ideas of human rights.

What are the list of the 10 basic capabilities you need to have to lead a just life according to Nussbaum?

Life
Bodily health
Bodily integrity
Sense, imagination and thought
Emotions
Practical reason
Affiliation
Other species
Play
Control over one's environment

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo