Lecture notes
Applied Ethics - Class Notes
- Module
- Applied Ethics
- Institution
- AQA
A document containing class notes of the AQA specification on "Applied Ethics".
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
Content preview
Applied Ethics1) Simulated Killing (Normative Ethics)
a) Utilitarianism on simulated killing
- (Bentham – Act Util): “we ought to do what maximises pleasure (happiness) for the
greatest number”
cannot give a clear yes/no answer to this : we need to balance the pleasure the player
experiences, against the harm (i.e. pain) done to society as a result.
- (Mill – Rule Util): IN THE LONG RUN, will stimulated killing through playing graphic
games or watching violent films lead to a more aggressive society?
If yes – we should not allow for simulated killing to take place.
- (Preference Util): if the action of stimulated killing is fulfilling for the greatest amount of
pleasure for an individual’s personal interests,
then stimulated killing is justified.
b) Deontology on stimulated killing
- (Kant): if we frequently witness violence does this lead us to becoming cruel and
indifferent ?
if we do, it means we can’t treat people as an end in themselves (2 nd CI) – so we’re more
likely to view people as only a means to an end ?
c) Virtue Ethics (character-based theory – what you are) on stimulated killing
- Most easy theory to oppose playing stimulated violent games with because we develop
virtues by performing virtuous acts – so we inhibit moral development by playing them
… but we aren’t performing unjust acts > just simulations of them + so it’s still an
empirical question as to whether performing simulated unjust acts leads to developing
vices of injustice
2) Simulated killing (Meta Ethics – meaning of moral language)
a) Naturalism (moral realism)
- (Naturalist): realist theory; there are mind independent moral properties in the form of
natural properties e.g. ‘goodness’ = ‘pleasure’
SO “simulated killing is wrong” = it’s wrong because it leads to aggression (aggression is
a natural property)
b) Non-Naturalism (moral realism)
1
, - (Intuitionism): realist theory; there are mind independent moral properties e.g.
‘goodness’ = ‘pleasure’ BUT we need to use the ability of our minds to judge self-
evident truths.
SO “simulated killing is wrong” = its self-evidently true that simulated killing is wrong
(BUT, what if it’s not self-evidently true)
c) Emotivism (moral anti-realism)
- (Emotivist): anti-realist theory; there are no mind independent moral properties. Moral
statements are just expressions approval or disapproval (i.e. ‘boo’ or ‘hurrah’)
SO “simulated killing is wrong” = expressing a feeling of disapproval (i.e. “boo” to
simulated killing)
d) Prescriptivism (moral anti-realism)
- (Prescriptivists): anti-realist theory; there are no mind independent moral properties.
Moral statements are just universal recommendations that we should follow
SO “simulated killing is wrong” = “no one should kill in a simulation”
e) Error Theory (moral anti-realism)
- (Error theorists): anti-realist theory; there are no mind-independent moral properties.
All moral statements are false because there is no reality for them to refer to.
SO “simulated killing is wrong” = not actually possible because it is falsely treating
“wrongness” as if it’s a cognitive statement.
3) Lying (Normative Ethics)
a) Utilitarianism on lying
- (Bentham (Act Util): “we ought to do what maximises pleasure (happiness) for the
greatest number”
SO we should tell lies if it makes more people happy e.g.: Saying ‘You look fantastic!’ to
encourage a very socially anxious but shabbily dressed person to come out with their
friends if they’ll enjoy the occasion.
- (Mill – (Rule Util): We should follow those rules which on average create the greatest
good for the greatest number in the long run
so if lying does not create the greatest good in the long run, lying is wrong
- (Preference Util): if the action of lying is fulfilling for the greatest amount of pleasure for
an individuals personal interests,
then lying is justified
b) Deontology on lying
2
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller genevievewersong. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £8.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
67474 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now