PHIL 335 Exam #1 (Passed)

We can apply Kant's 1st Formulation of C.I. in 4 steps: correct answers 1. What's the motive? (I want your money) 2. What's the maxim? (When I want your money, I will make a lying promise) 3. Universalize the maxim (When anybody wants someone else's money, he/she will make a lying promise) 4. Ask whether it would be rational to want such a universal law. If not, then the action is immoral. (In this case, it's immoral to make a lying promise) Principle of Utility correct answers Used in utilitarianism; says that actions are morally right, to the extent to which they produce happiness, and actions are morally wrong, to the extent to which they produce unhappiness According to Mill, happiness is... correct answers Pleasure & freedom from pain What counts as pleasure or pain according to Mill? correct answers He doesn't answer this question b/c he says he doesn't need to in order to support the Principle of Utility. He says that the Theory of Life (which is a descriptive claim about human psychology) is the support. Theory of Life correct answers Pleasure and freedom from pain are the only things we desire. Everything else is desired either as a means to happiness or a part of happiness. Some critics of the Theory of Life say.... correct answers It is wrong to base morality on the pursuit of pleasure and that it dehumanizes us. Mental pleasure is higher/lower quality correct answers Mental pleasure is HIGHER quality Bodily pleasure is higher/lower quality correct answers Bodily pleasure is LOWER quality Aristotle's view on happiness correct answers Happiness is the highest good achievable by action. To find out what happiness is, we must consider the function of humans-what we are uniquely suited for. What makes us different according to Aristotle? correct answers What makes us different is the rational element in our soul. The soul explained the difference between living & non-living things. The soul enables living things to engage in various activities. Define "function" correct answers A function of a thing is a task for which that thing is uniquely suited. This can be a task only that thing can do (only eyes can see); or it can be a task that thing does better than any other thing (example: pruning shears are better at pruning than a bread knife or a chain saw) Define "virtue" correct answers A virtue of a thing is a characteristic that enables that thing to function well. (example: a virtue of a knife is sharpness)