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Philosophy 101 Mid Term
Philosophy 101 Mid Term
30
Philosophy
Undergraduate 1
02/26/2008

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Cards

Term
Relativism
Definition
Whatever a society thinks is right...is right for that society.
Term
Subjectivism
Definition
Whatever you think is right...is right for you.
Term
nihilism
Definition
there are no moral truths
Term
How do Relativism, Subjectivism, and Nihilism differ over when moral claims are true.
Definition
Subjectivists: Whatever you think is morally true...is morally true for you.

Relativists: Whatever a society thinks is morally true...is true for them.

Nihilists: There are no moral truths.
Term
Objectivism
Definition
claim that there are correct moral standards. There is a right and a wrong.
Term
Plato's 1st Argument
Definition
Thrasymachus: Morality is nothing other than the advantage of the stronger party. It is beneficial to the subjects to obey the government.



Socrates: Governments make mistakes. When a government makes a mistake it becomes not beneficial to the subjects.
Term
Plato's 2nd Argument
Definition
Thrasymachus: Experts never make mistakes. When an someone does screw up then they are not an expert to that extent. So when a government is ruling and is actually ruling then they are never wrong. (EXPERTISE INFALLIBLE)

Socrates: Experts dont focus on self welfare but of the welfare of the overall field. Governments aim their wellfare at the ones they are ruling...the weaker party.
Term
Conventional Morality
Definition
Groups of people that adopt ideas. Some have been really bad.
Term
Possibility of error
Definition
In the past there have been moral errors. Slavery, women ruled by men, and honor killing of women who have been raped.
Term
Moral Equivalence
Definition
All moral claims are equal. For instance, subjectivists believe that whatever they think is true is true for them. Therefore all moral truths are equivalent. So if one person thinks that killing someone is O.K. and someone thinks that killing people is not O.K. then both moral views are equally true.
Term
existence of moral progress
Definition
Progress made from moral views. Objectivists can progress morally but skeptics can not, because whatever they think is right for them...is right for them and that does not change.
Term
Arbitrary
Definition
doing something for no good reason. EX: picking a particular can off of a shelf.
Skeptics believe that no reason is better then other.
Term
contradiction
Definition
two claims contradict eachother if they both can not be true.

1.) A is true and A is false (Both True)
2.) Therefore A is true.
3.)Therefore either A is true or B is true.
4.)A is false.
5.)B is true.
Term
Dilemma
Definition
2 choices that are both bad.
Term
Global Skepticism
Definition
You can quesion or beliee all facts including morals.

Subjectivism: Whatever you believe to be true is true for you. Brings contradiction or no agreement.

Relativism: same as subjectivism except with society.

Nihilism: There are no moral truths or claims...Therefore Nihilism itself can not be true.
Term
dogmatism
Definition
principle or belief that you hold on to for dear life. holding onto views without realizing defects.
Term
tolerance
Definition
letting people do what they want to do even if people do what they want to do even if people think it is wrong.
Term
Universal
Definition
universally accepted; which means that it applies to all. For example: Driving on one side of the road...different sides of the road in different countries , but the desire to drive on one specific side of the road is still there.
Term
Absolute
Definition
rules ahve no exceptions whatsoever.
Term
Westermarck
Definition
explanation is not justification. Peoples moral views may be persuaded by emotions.
Term
Epistemology
Definition
How do you know? Knowledge. Requires justification, you have to believe something, it has to be true.
Term
Divine Command Theory
Definition
Acts are right or wrong because god commands them to be right or wrong. God is over all good. God decides whats good and bad...therefore god thinks he is god. God is narcicistic.
Term
Sidgewick
Definition
Do unto others what you want done to you.Proper objective morals can be identified via reasoning. When you understand nature of something that is objectively morally true. it will be objectively morally true for you.
Term
Law of Justice
Definition
Whats unfair to me should be unfair to you. This is a self evident truth
Term
Maxim of Benevolence
Definition
Cant favor your interest over someone elses. You have to be completely impartial over everyone including family. this is a self evident truth
Term
Hobbes
Definition
Life in a state of nature is: Solitary, Poor, Nasty, Brutish, and Short.
A state with out government would be in a state of constant warfare. If everyone did what they wanted there would be absolute chaos.
Term
Hume

2 Diff kinds of passion
Definition
a reason does not motivate a person to act. A reason motivates a passion and a passion or emotion motivates someone to act. For instance saving a kid because if you dont he will die will not make you save the kid. Saving the kid because you have the passion to become famous will compel you to save the kid.

2 different kinds of passions:

1.) Calm: Want
2.) Violent: Need, hate, fear
Term
Kant
Definition
A person does something because it is there duty to do it. EX: if a person see's a child drowning he will save the child even if he has a fear of swimming.

This means that even if you do something that is morally right, but you do it for the wrong reasons, it has not moral worth. Not cheating a child because she is cute.
Term
Nadle
Definition
You only have reason to do what you want to do. What you want to do can come from self-love/selfishness.

It is in your right interest to do things right

Taking an umbrella in a restaurant is wrong because if someone were to take your umbrella you would be upset.
Term
inclinations
Definition
desires/wants
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