PHIL 150 1st Edition Lecture 2Outline of Last Lecture I. Ann Baker Introduction to Philosophical thinkingOutline of Current Lecture II. The Problem of DefinitionIII. Reason and ImpartialityIV. Good ArgumentsV. The Requirement of Impartiality Current LectureChapter 1- The Elements of Moral PhilosophyThe Problem of Definition- Moral Philosophy: the study of what morality is and what it requires of us- Many rival theories- Minimum conception: a core that every moral theory should accept, at least as a startingpoint- An argument is sound if its assumptions are true and the conclusion follows logically from them- Slippery slope arguments are easy to abuse- Cannot be proved wrong, no one can see the futureReason and Impartiality- Moral judgments must be backed by good reasons- Morality requires the impartial consideration of each individual’s interests- When we feel strongly about an issue, it is tempting to assume that we simply know the truth, without even having to consider the arguments- To find truth, let your feelings be guided by reason- Moral Judgments are different from expressions of personal tastesGood Arguments- Get your facts straightThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.- Bring moral principles into play- If someone says that you ought to do such-and-such, then you may legitimately ask why;and if no good reason can be given, then you may reject the advice as arbitrary or unfoundedThe Requirement of Impartiality- Impartial: to treat everyone alike; no one gets special treatment- Partial: to show favoritism- Minimum conception of morality: the effort to guide one’s conduct by reason; to do what there are the best reasons for doing-while giving equal weight to the interests of each individual affected by one’s action- Conscientious moral agent: someone who is concerned impartially with the interests of everyone affected by what he or she does; who carefully sifts facts and examines their implications; who accepts principles of conduct only after scrutinizing them to make sure they are justified; who is willing to “listen to reason” even when it means revising prior convictions; and who, finally, is willing to act on these
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