Was Machiavelli more in history or speculation?

Machiavelli was interested in history over speculation. Instead of speculating on how leaders should behave in an ideal world, he focused on how they have behaved successfully and thus were able to survive.

True or False: Reputation is Machiavelli's main concern, not morality itself. A ruler should appear virtuous, even if they're not. Reputation and perception are powerful tools in maintaining control and order.

True

What does Machiavelli argue that rulers should be like are use?

Machiavelli argues that rulers may need to use deceit, manipulation, or cruelty to maintain power and stability. All things are on the table for political success.

What is Thomas Hobbes? And what does he believe?

Thomas Hobees is a Contractarian. He believes there is no morality in natural man (pre-soceity).

What are humans before society?

Humans before society (in a state of anarchy) are nothing but selfish and brutish. They will fight to the death for limited resources. The savage is just that: a savage.

What is Hobbe's solution to anarchy?

Hobbe's solution to anarchy is givign total power to a ruler to govern the poeple with a sword

What does Rousseau thing the savage is? What does he argue that men are born with?

Rousseau believes that the savage is noble. He argues that men are born with things like empathy but it is society that corrupts them.

What does Rousseau argue causes physical and moral weakness?

Rousseau argues the cause of physical and moral weakness is society's constant use and dependence on technology and other conveniences

For Hume, where does morality come from? And what does he argue about moral judgments?

For Hume, morality comes from sentiment. Hume argues that moral judgements are rooted in human feelings and emotions, not reason.

What are Hume's virtues?

Hume's virtues are virtues for being useful to society. Those who are humble and fast are not virtuous because such traits are not useful to society.

What is the difference between deontology and utilitarianism?

Deontology: an action is good as so far as it proceeds from a sense of duty. An action is good because of its intent Utilitarianism: "Do what works!" Holds that an action is right insofar as it promotes happiness, and the greatest happiness principle.

True or False: Kant was a proponent of deontology

True. Kant was a proponent of deontology. He was a deontologist.

What makes an action morally good for Kant?

For Kant, an aciton is morally good, not based on its consequences, but based on whether the person did it in obedience to one's duty.

What is the difference between a hypothetical and a categorical imperative?

Hypothetical imperative: (If you want X, then do Y.) Is conditional on its end. Categorical imperative: (Always do Y.) Don't treat poeple only as means to an end. They are a person with dignity and have their own end, goals, etc.

What is a formulation of the categorical imperative?

The first formulation is "Act only on that maxim whereby thou canst at the same time will that is should become a universal law". The second: "So act as to treat humanity, whether in thine own person or in that of any other, in every case as an end withal, never as means only."

What is the final end for Mill?

For Mill, the final end is utility or greatest happiness principle. Total happiness (a maximum of pleasure and minimum of pain) is the end.

For Mill, does pleasure have qualitative variant?

Yes. For Mill, pleasure has qualitiative variants. Virtue (e.g., kindness) is greater than base pleasure (e.g, candy).

Slogan for DCT and define it.

Divine Command Theory: "Because God said so." DCT holds that being "good" is ultimately based on obedience to the commands or character of God (or gods). Euthyphro was an advocate of DCT. Remember, he argeed that "piety is whatever the gods will."

Slogan for Ethical Egoism and define it.

Ethical Egoism: "Me first!" Ethical Egoism holds that the morally right action is always the one that best serves one's own self-interest. Thrasymachus is an adocate of EE, and Apicurus. Thrasymachus's slogan is "might makes right."

Slogan for Contractarianism and define it.

Contractarianism: "Because the State said so." Contractarianism argues that morality arises from a hypotheitcal agreement or covenant between (weak) individuals, where people agree to certain rules to benefit themselves within a society, essentially trading some freedom for security. Glaucon suggested this in the "Republic".

Slogan for Virtue Ethics and define it

Virtue Ethics: "Be kind!" Virtue Ethics holds that developing good character traits, like kindness and courage, is the foundation for making moral decisions. Aristotle was an advocate of Virtue Ethics, so also was Epictetus

Slogan for Natural Law Theory and define it

Natural Law Theory: "Listen to your conscience." Natural Law Theory holds that there are a set of inherent laws derived from nature and universal moral principles, which are discoverable through reason. Aquinas and Martin Luther King Jr. are advocates of Natural Law Theory.

Slogan for Deontology and define it.

Deontology: "Just don't lie, ever." Deontological ethics holds that at least some acts are morally obligatory regardless of their consequences for human welfare. Kant is an advocate of deontology.

Slogan for Utilitarianism and define it.

Utiliarianism: "Do what works!" Utilitarianism holds that an action is right insofar as it promotes happiness, and that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the guiding principle of conduct. John Stewart Mill and David Hume are utilitarians.