philosophy ( ethics )- Homework

Normative theories in general:

What is the difference between normative and metaethical theories?

What are the three main types of normative theory?

How does these three types differ from one another, in the most general way?

What is the difference between descriptive and prescriptive?

Are normative theories descriptive, or prescriptive?

Teleological theories:

In general, what are the main features of teleological theories (in terms of the good, the right, and the principle(s) that are derived)?

What is utilitarianism?

In general, what does utilitarianism say about right actions?

What is classical utilitarianism?

How did Bentham and Mill understand utility?

How do Bentham and Mill’s theories differ?

What do Bentham and Mill have in common?

What is the main problem with the classical utilitarian view?

What is the general principle of act utilitarianism?

How does this variety of utilitarianism differ from rule utilitarianism?

How would an act utilitarian decide what the right action is?

What is the general principle of rule utilitarianism?

How does this variety differ from act utilitarianism?

How does rule utilitarianism differ from deontology?

How are rules derived according to rule utilitarianism?

How would the rule utilitarian decide what the right action is?

What are the two main problems with utilitarian theory, in general?

What is the problem of calculating consequences?

How can the utilitarian respond?

What is the problem of formulating the theory?

In what five ways can utilitarianism be counter-intuitive, or unsatisfactory?

What is the no-rest objection?

What is the absurd-implications objection?

What is the integrity objection?

What is the problem with justice?

How is utilitarian theory not public?

Which of the above is a problem only for the act utilitarian? 

Deontological theories:

In general terms, what are the main distinguishing features of deontological ethics?

What is deontology, and how do its forms differ?

What is intuitionism, according to W.D. Ross?

What are the three main features of Ross’s system?

What does Ross claim about moral principles and their use?

What are the main ways that Ross’s theory differs from Kant’s theory?

According to Ross, why is a certain action right or wrong?

What is rationalism, according to Kant?

What are the three main features of Kant’s system?

Based on what values does Kant derive his moral theory?

What does Kant claim about the nature of moral principles, and their use?

What is the categorical imperative?

How does categorical differ from hypothetical?

What are the three formulations of the categorical imperative?

How does Kant think we need to reason through moral situations?

According to Kant, why is a certain action right or wrong?

What are the main problems with Kant’s deontological theory?

How does Kant’s theory make certain trivial actions duties?

How does Kant’s theory justify certain horrendous acts?

What is the problem with the absolutism of Kant’s duties?

· What are the three general issues with deontology?

What is the problem with the rationalist version of deontology?

How does deontology fail to be fully motivating?

Why is deontology not spiritual enough for a true moral theory?

Other normative theories:

What other possible options do we have for normative theories?

What is virtue theory?

How does virtue theory differ, in general, from the other two normative theories, teleological and deontological?

How does virtue theory conceive of what is right and wrong in action?

What are Aristotle’s three main claims in virtue theory?

What are some examples of virtues?