Chapter 4 Questions
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1.
Is a moral theory the final authority in moral reasoning? Why or why not? What
is the difference between a moral theory and a moral code? How can a moral
theory be used in a moral argument? (p. 66)
No, it is not the final authority in moral reasoning because from a moral theory you
cannot derive a logical reason. Moral theory as defined by the book is “
the very nature
of rightness or goodness itself.” (Vaughn,2019, p. 67) This means that moral theory leads
to many inconsistencies and has too many possibilities to contradict itself for it to be able
to be the final authority. The difference between a moral theory and moral code can be
seen in their definitions, as the book says, “A moral theory explains what makes an action
right; a moral code is simply a set of rules” (Vaughn, 2019, p. 68). A moral theory can be
used in a moral argument as the moral theory would serve as the moral premise in the
argument which was seen in chapter 3. 2.
What is a considered moral judgment? What are the two main categories of
moral theories? (p. 67)
A moral judgment is when you decide about what is right/wrong in a situation that is morally wrong. The two main categories of moral theories are “consequentialist (or teleological) and nonconsequentialist (or deontological)” (Vaughn, 2019, p.69).
3.
What are the different forms of utilitarianism and what distinguishes their
reasoning? What is ethical egoism? According to Kant’s moral theory, what
makes an action right? (pp. 67–69) With which of these theories do you most
intuitively agree and why?
There are two types of utilitarianism which are act-utilitarianism and rule-
utilitarianism. Act-utilitarianism “
says that right actions are those that directly produce
the greatest overall good, everyone considered.” (Vaughn, 2019, p.70) Rule-utilitarianism
says, “that the morally right action is the one covered by a rule that if generally followed
would produce the most favorable balance of good over evil, everyone considered.”
(Vaughn, 2019, p.70) The key difference between the two is that act-utilitarianism is
applying to individual actions whereas rule-utilitarianism is applying rules and then
applying it to individual actions to see if they followed the “rules”. Ethical egoism says,
“that the morally right action is the one that produces the most favorable balance of good
over evil for oneself” (Vaughn, 2019, p.70). According to Kant’s theory for an action to
be right it “is the one done in accordance with the categorical imperative” (Vaughn, 2019,
p.70). Out of all these theories I would intuitively pick utilitarianism because they want
the greatest good for all people whereas ethical egoism is best for themselves, and Kants
theory only looks at the reasoning not the consequences.
4.
What are the three moral criteria of adequacy? (pp. 71–74)
Do you try to guide
your moral choices with a moral code or a moral theory, or both? If so, how?
The three moral criteria for adequacy are “consistency with our considered moral
judgements, consistency with the facts of moral life, and resourcefulness in moral
problem-solving” (Vaughn, 2019, p.73-75). It would depend on the situation as moral
theory can help guide us if moral codes conflict. I personally would choose moral theory
over moral code as moral code is general compared to moral theory which is specific. 5.
What considered moral judgments have you made or appealed to in the past
month? Do you think that these judgments reflect a moral principle or moral
theory you implicitly appeal to? If so, what is it?
An example of a moral judgment I had in the past month was making the decision to
pay $300 for a train ticket to visit my grandparents for thanksgiving. My grandparents
live alone in the middle of nowhere, so they need me to come for the holiday even if it
is expensive. I think it appeals to the moral theory act-utilitarianism as I want all of us
to be happy, my grandparents will not be alone, and I will get to see them.
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