Chapter 10 (#2)
Q#2. Explain the difference between categorical and hypothetical imperatives
Response
Categorical imperatives indicate the moves one should make whether or not doing so would empower one to have anything one needs. The categorical imperative is comprised of fixed rules to enhance good moral actions. On the contrary, hypothetical imperatives indicate the moves one should make but only if one has a specific objective. The hypothetical imperative is based on what is right and making the right choices.
Chapter 11 (# 1, 2, 3)
Q#1. Explain the three different formulations of the categorical imperative.
Response
"The formula of the Law of Nature" is a formal or legitimate proclamation as it communicates the state of the objectivity of conduct and not morality (Guyer, 2002). The formulation advised on making a particular move and tell whether it tends to be willed. "The Formula of the End Itself" asserts that a guaranteed activity is ethically right if when having such an activity, we do not utilize individuals as a strategy to accomplish one's further advantage, yet treat others as inherently important. The "Formula of Autonomy" explains the possibility of the desire of each sane being as a generally enacting will. People depend on themselves to tell what is either wrong or right through common sense.
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Q#2. Discuss Kant's views on the ethics of lying to a potential murderer.
Response
Kant's view on the issue (lying to a potential murderer) is that it is often not right to lie to a potential murderer because it is regarded unethical. Kant argues that deceiving a potential murderer would be wrongdoing if a companion whom the killer is seeking has taken an asylum in the person's house because it is a contradiction of duty principle. It is an obligation, to tell the truth. The idea of obligation is indistinguishable from being right. No rights mean no obligations. To say the right thing is subsequently an obligation according to Kant. The cause of telling the truth leads to the maxim’s universalization through giving evasive answers to the trap questions asked by the potential murderer. The evasive answers will serve as standard responses to the potential murderer’s questions about the whereabouts of the person they are after.
Q#3. How can you use Kant's theory to decide how to act in the face of a moral dilemma?
Response
Kant's theory could help in telling the truth when encountering a moral dilemma. Kant’s theory could be used to evade trap questions that could help to restore freedom from another person trying to invade into my freedom. I could as well keep my responses if I do not prefer to convey them in the moral dilemma. For example, if I have information on something you are not aware about your personal life, I would not tell you even if you could benefit from such information. But if you ask me about it, then I could tell you the truth
Chapter 12 (# 1, 3)
Q#1. How does Aristotle think that virtue can be acquired?
Response
Aristotle argues that intellectual virtue comes from teaching, but moral virtues are habitual. The case means that intellectual virtue and moral virtues are acquired differently. Reading a book can be helpful in the acquisition of intellectual virtue. Practicing being generous, brave, honest among others helps one acquire moral virtue.
Q#3. Does Aristotle's moral approach give too much weight to self-interest?
Response
Aristotle’s moral approach does not give too much weight to self-interest. Aristotle's moral approach is anchored on morals- vices and virtues. The reason is that Aristotle's moral approach requires one to ask themselves, what kind of person they are. The moral approach concentrates on character as opposed to action. The moral approach needs one to impede or promote human flourishing.
Chapter 13 (# 2, 3)
Q#2. Explain the "situationalist" critique of virtue ethics.
Response
Virtue ethics asserts that people can be explained using their character traits that help tell why they behave in particular ways. Also, the character traits would be credible predictors of actions they would do in the future. For example, if say, Becky picked John's wallet and later returned the wallet to John, the case tells that Becky could be honest in the future due to her action. .
The situationalist critique makes use of outcomes from experimental psychology to express the fact that individuals do not possess given character traits. Indeed, there is insufficient consistency in people's behavior or actions.
Q#3. Critically examine Aristotle's justification of slavery.
Response
Aristotle emphatically supported and accepted the establishment of slavery. He believed slaves as family ownership, or as such, slaves were viewed as the family's property. He expressed that slavery is valuable to both the slaves and the masters through planter paternalism which comprises of adequate clothing, shelter and food. Aristotle thought that the slaves have no thinking power to comprehend and follow their astuteness. Subsequently, he argued that natural slaves are individuals who are less intelligent and less rational (Heath, 2008). Aristotle also added that it was conceivable to figure out a slave who is prudent and who is not from when the slaves were born.
Hursthouse (# 2, 3)
Q#2. Why does Hursthouse think that the moral question of abortion is not primarily the question of whether abortion should be legally available?
Response
Hursthouse thinks that the most important aspect is the morality of abortion. According to Hursthouse, it is not a matter of the wrongs and the rights of laws permitting or prohibiting abortion but about virtue ethics (Overall, 2012). Secondly, Hursthouse asserts that successful pregnancy is an irreplaceable and new human life made up of intrinsic value. Third, Hursthouse argues that the process of having a child is one of the naturally acceptable ways. Besides, if the woman does not abort, she will bear the weighty obligation of caring for the baby or having to forward such responsibility to another. If by chance, the woman takes the caring responsibility, then she typically enhances her enthusiastic advancement through a characteristic life-cycle. The woman experiences energetic maternal love and accomplishes the exceptionally significant mother-child relationship.
Q#3. Why does Hursthouse think it is wrong to seek a general principle to guide us in our thinking about abortion?
Response
Hursthouse believes that women's rights are not considered if individuals are guided into the abortion thought. Being guided by others is based on their feelings about abortion. According to Hursthouse, these people do not consider the feelings of pregnant woman who is responsible for birth process.
Young (#1, 2, 3)
Q#1. What does Young mean by structural injustice?
Response
Young asserts that structural injustice prevails when social processes align people with others under deprivation or threat of domination to exercise and establish their capacities. As a result, the harm is not traceable to either motivation or actions of a specific group of people. Young argues that justice needs to consider compensating individuals for disadvantages because of the circumstances they cannot control.
Q#2. How does Young distinguish the liability model from the political responsibility model?
Response
Young asserts that the liability model is the traditional account of direct knowledge and intent of causing harm. The liability model is backward-looking as it assesses the history of events to focus on assigning responsibility. She calls the liability model a relational moral responsibility (McKeown, 2015). On the other hand, she points out that the political responsibility model is forward-looking, shared, and non-blameworthy.
Q#3. What is morally required from us, according to the political responsibility model?
Response
We are expected to deter one another from backward-looking condemnation. We should point out weak points in any institutions to help in the reformation process (Young, 2010). Every person is needed to help in the reformation process in achieving better results that make a difference when compared to the past.
References
Guyer, P. (2002). Ends of Reason and Ends of Nature: The Place of Teleology in Kant's Ethics. Journal of value inquiry , 36 (2-3), 161.
Heath, M. (2008). Aristotle on Natural Slavery. Phronesis , 53(3), 243-270.
McKeown, M. C. (2015). Responsibility without Guilt: A Youngian Approach to Responsibility for Global Injustice (Doctoral dissertation, UCL (University College London)).
Overall, C. (2012). Why Have Children? The Ethical Debate . Mit Press.
Young, I. M. (2010). Responsibility and Global Labor Justice. In Responsibility in Context (pp. 53-76). Springer, Dordrecht.
https://www.indianhills.edu/_myhills/courses/PHI105/documents/lu08_kantianism.pdf
