Chapter 13 Guided Reading Notes
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Notes: Chapter 13 – Critical Thinking and Morality
If we are to be intellectually mature, we also must try to integrate the results of these moral analyses and deliberations into a comprehensive picture of reality, what is known as a worldview, … [which is] a philosophy of
life, a set of beliefs and theories that helps us make sense of a wide range of issues in life. It defines for us what exists, what should be, and what we can know. We all have a worldview, and our notions about morality are an important part of it. A good critical thinker tries to ensure that his or her worldview contains no internal contradictions and that it offers reliable guidance in dealing with the world.
Moral Arguments
Moral arguments, however, differ from nonmoral ones in that their conclusions are more statements, … [which are] statements asserting that an action is right or wrong (moral or immoral) or that something (such as a person
or motive) is good or bad.
The standard moral argument is a mixture of moral and nonmoral statements. At least one premise is a moral statement that asserts a general moral principle or moral standard. At least one premise makes a nonmoral claim. The conclusion is a moral statement, or judgment, about a particular case (usually a particular kind of action). Requirements for moral arguments: At least one moral premise, At least one nonmoral premise, And one moral
conclusion Write your own example of a moral argument. Don’t use the examples provided in the textbook. An example would be that it is okay to kill someone if it would save five others because more people would be saved, but killing itself is immoral. Moral Premises
As noted in previous chapters, accurately assessing the truth of nonmoral premises depends mostly on your knowledge of the subject matter, including the results of relevant scientific research, the analyses of reliable experts, and the content of your background information. Gauging the truth of moral premises (moral principles) mostly involves examining the support they get from three sources: (1) other moral principles, (2) moral theories, and (3) considered moral judgments.
In your own words, explain the meaning of the three things you listed above.
1. Other moral principles mean that for a moral premise to be verified, it has to have multiple sources that connect with the premise. 2. A moral theory means more or less connected claims arranged to determine what a morally good or right action or stance is, and what it is that makes it either right or good. 3. For considered moral judgments you have to judge the scale of if it's worth doing or not does the means justify the odds? Moral Theories
As we have seen, theories of morality are attempts to explain what makes an action right or what makes a person or motive good. They try to specify what all right actions and all good things have in common. As such,
they can give support, guidance, or validation to our moral decision-making, shaping our moral principles, judgments, and arguments. Interestingly enough, we all have a moral theory. Whether we articulate it or not, we all have some kind of view of what makes actions right or persons good. Even the notion that there is no such thing as right or wrong is a moral theory. Even the idea that all moral theories are worthless or that all moral judgments are subjective, objective, relative, or meaningless is a moral theory. The critical question, then, is not whether you have a moral theory but whether the theory you have is a good one.
Evaluating Moral Theories
All moral theories are not created equal. Some theories are better than others. In your own words, explain the following criteria of adequacy for moral theories
:
Consistency with considered moral judgments
: Pretty much everything must fit together it if it doesn’t then the theory needs to be reworked so that it can fit together and be valid.
Consistency with our experience of the moral life
: If the theory doesn’t involve making moral judgments, having moral disagreements, and sometimes acting immorally these are human qualities that should be enacted in a theory to be considered verifiable. Workability in real-life situations
a theory must be able to solve problems. Meaning that it must help us make moral decisions. Especially those that involve moral dilemmas, instances where moral principles or moral judgments are in conflict. The theory is supposed to help reconcile our clashing moral beliefs. Two Important Theories In your own words, explain how utilitarianism
decides whether an action is morally right or wrong. Then say how it fairs on each of the three criterion of adequacy. Well, utilitarianism decides whether an action is morally right or wrong in that it maximizes overall happiness, everyone considered. When it comes to Utilitarianism it might clash with our intuitions or judgments, especially when individual rights or justice are sacrificed for the greater good. Not only that it is hard to predict the impact of everyone involved. In your own words, explain how Kantian Ethics
decides whether an action is morally right or wrong. Then say how it fairs on each of the three criteria of adequacy. Kant says that rightness does not depend at all on the production of happiness or on the satisfaction on human desires. For Kant, rightness is not defined by an action’s results, but by its form meaning the ulterior motive behind it. Was your goal un pure etc? Kant's ethics may resonate with our intuitions in certain situations, especially since we appreciate the importance of individual autonomy. Kant: Categorical imperative
An imperative is a direction or command to do something
Categorical means that it should be followed no matter what Kant has two laws
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