Week 7_Reason and Impartiality as Minimum Requirements for Morality

Fill in the Blanks:

1. Reason is essential in moral judgments as it ensures decisions are justified
____________. logically
2. Impartiality requires giving equal consideration to the ____________ of all concerned
parties. interests
3. Moral truths are grounded in ____________, independent of personal desires or opinions.
reason
4. A practical approach to ethical decision-making involves evaluating the consequences
and implications of __________ ____________. each option
5. Developing courage involves facing fears, taking calculated risks, and surrounding
oneself with ____________ people. supportive
6. The ____________ moral reasoning model provides a structured approach to analyzing
ethical dilemmas. 7-step
7. Moral courage is crucial in ethical decision-making, especially in challenging situations
where one must stand up for what is right despite potential risks or ____________.
pressures
8. Strategies for developing moral courage include enhancing ____________ skills.
communication
9. Nurses can develop moral courage through education and ____________. practice
10. Admitting one's own feelings and emotions can help individuals connect with their values
and motivations, strengthening their resolve to act ____________. ethically

True or False:
1. Moral truths are subjective and vary based on personal desires. False
2. Impartiality in moral decision-making means prioritizing the interests of some individuals
over others. False
3. A practical approach to ethical decision-making involves considering only one possible
course of action. False
4. Moral courage involves standing up for what is right even when faced with challenges or
pressures. True
5. The 7-step moral reasoning model emphasizes the importance of ignoring relevant
principles in ethical decision-making. False
6. Developing courage involves only facing fears and taking risks, without considering
support from others. False
7. Moral courage is insignificant in promoting integrity and ethical behavior. False
8. Acknowledging one's own feelings and emotions can strengthen resolve to act ethically.
True
9. Moral courage can be cultivated through education, practice, and enhancing
communication skills. True
10. Reason and impartiality are not considered necessary in moral decision-making. False

Essay Questions:

Discuss the importance of reason and impartiality in ethical decision-making. How do these
principles contribute to the foundation of morality?
Brief Answer: Reason and impartiality serve as minimum requirements for morality, ensuring
that ethical decisions are logically justified and give equal consideration to all parties involved.
Reason enables moral judgments to be backed by good reasons, while impartiality promotes
fairness and justice by treating each individual's interests and viewpoints equally.

Explain the practical approach to ethical decision-making outlined in the provided

information. How does this approach help individuals navigate ethical dilemmas
effectively?

Brief Answer: The practical approach to ethical decision-making involves steps such as stating
the problem, checking the facts, identifying relevant factors, developing options, evaluating
alternatives, making a decision, testing it against ethical tests, implementing the decision, and
reflecting on the outcome. This structured guide ensures a thorough analysis and consideration of
multiple perspectives, leading to well-considered resolutions to ethical dilemmas in various
contexts.

Describe the significance of moral courage and provide strategies for its development. How
does moral courage contribute to ethical behavior and societal well-being?

Brief Answer: Moral courage is essential in ethical decision-making as it empowers individuals

to stand up for what is right despite challenges or risks. It promotes integrity, trust, and ethical
behavior, ultimately contributing to a more just and compassionate society. Strategies for
developing moral courage include enhancing communication skills, education and practice,
providing non-judgmental explanations, acknowledging feelings, and managing fear. These
strategies enable individuals to make principled decisions and take ethical actions even in
difficult circumstances.

Week 8_Virtue Ethics - Aristotle's Perspective

Fill in the Blanks:
1. Eternal Law: This is the divine and unchanging law that governs the universe. It is the
ultimate source of all law and order, including _________________. natural law
2. Through reason, humans can discern the principles of ________________ and
understand what is morally right or wrong. natural law
3. The primary principle of natural law is that "good is to be done and pursued, and evil
________________." avoided
4. Natural law applies universally to all human beings, regardless of culture or society. It is
based on the inherent nature of _________________. humanity
5. Aquinas emphasized the role of ________________ in moral decision-making.
conscience
6. Following natural law means doing what is morally right by aligning actions with
_________ and the divine plan. reason
7. Aquinas viewed ethical philosophy as a _________ to determine the best way to live
one's life, emphasizing the importance of virtues and principles in guiding human
behavior. means
 8. Central to Aquinas's ethics is the concept of natural law, which dictates that humans are
created by God to reason and act in accordance with ______________. reason
9. Aquinas's ethical theory involves both principles (rules about how to act) and
__________ (personality traits). virtues
10. Aquinas's ethics have influenced anti-capitalist perspectives, emphasizing duties to
relieve poverty, communal ownership of nature, and limitations on property rights to
promote economic ______________. equality

True or False:
1. Aquinas believed that human laws always align perfectly with natural law. False
2. Natural law is accessible to human reason and guides moral actions. True
3. According to Aquinas, the primary principle of natural law is that evil should be pursued.
False
4. Conscience plays a minor role in Aquinas's ethical framework. False
5. Aquinas's ethics emphasize the importance of virtues over principles in guiding human
behavior. True
6. Eternal Law is derived from natural law according to Aquinas. False
7. Natural law applies only to specific cultures and societies. False
8. Aquinas's ethical theories have no practical implications in real-world scenarios. False
9. Aquinas's ethics have influenced anti-capitalist perspectives by advocating for economic
inequality. False
10. Virtues are not considered important in Aquinas's ethical framework. False

Essay Questions:

Examine Aristotle's concept of telos and its significance in his virtue ethics. How does telos
contribute to the understanding of human flourishing and moral virtue?

Brief Answer: Aristotle's concept of telos emphasizes the inherent purpose or end goal of
human life, which is eudaimonia or flourishing. Eudaimonia is achieved through the possession
and exercise of virtue, leading to a morally good and fulfilling life. Telos provides a framework
for understanding the ultimate aim of human existence and guides individuals in cultivating
virtuous character traits conducive to living in accordance with their true nature.

Discuss the practical implications of Aristotle's virtue ethics in real-world scenarios. What
are some common debates surrounding the application of virtue ethics, and how are they
addressed?

Brief Answer: Aristotle's virtue ethics emphasize the cultivation of virtuous character traits and
the pursuit of eudaimonia as the ultimate goal of human life. However, debates arise regarding
the flexibility vs. rigidity of virtue ethics, cultural and contextual differences in ethical norms,
conflicts between virtues, relevance in modern societies, the role of reason and emotion, and
practical applications in education and professional ethics. These debates highlight the
complexities and challenges of applying Aristotle's ethical theories to diverse real-world
situations.
Evaluate Aristotle's ethical perspectives outlined in his work "Nicomachean Ethics." What
are the key concepts and principles in Aristotle's ethical framework, and how do they
shape his understanding of morality and human flourishing?

Brief Answer: Aristotle's ethical perspectives revolve around key concepts such as eudaimonia
(happiness or flourishing), the golden mean (doctrine of moderation), virtue ethics (emphasis on
cultivating virtuous character traits), teleology (belief in purpose or final ends), the role of reason
in ethical decision-making, and the importance of friendship. These concepts form the
foundation of Aristotle's understanding of morality and human flourishing, emphasizing the
cultivation of virtuous character as essential for living a good life in accordance with one's true
nature.

Week 9_Virtue Ethics - St. Thomas's Natural Law

Fill in the Blanks:
1. Aristotle believed that human beings have a telos, a true function or end, which is
____________ or happiness. eudaimonia
2. Virtues, according to Aristotle, are not mere habits but active conditions where one
actively holds oneself in a stable equilibrium of the soul to choose actions knowingly and
for their own ____________. sake
3. The core constitutive element of happiness, according to Aristotle, is the possession and
exercise of ____________. virtue
4. Aristotle defines ethics as the study of how to live a good life, equating it with achieving
____________, which refers to human flourishing or living well in accordance with one's
true nature. eudaimonia
5. Aristotle introduces the doctrine of the mean, suggesting that virtue lies in finding a
balance between extremes of excess and ____________. deficiency
6. Aristotle's ethical framework falls under ____________ ethics, focusing on cultivating
virtuous character traits rather than following rules or maximizing utility. virtue
7. Aristotle's ethics are teleological, meaning they are based on the idea of ____________ or
final ends. purpose
8. Aristotle emphasizes the importance of ____________ in ethical decision-making,
highlighting humans as rational animals who must exercise reason to understand virtue
and choose the right actions. reason
9. Critics argue that Aristotle's virtue ethics can be too vague and open to interpretation,
making it difficult to determine the right course of action in specific ____________.
situations
10. Proponents of Aristotle's ethics often highlight its potential applications in education and
professional ethics, emphasizing the cultivation of virtuous character traits such as
integrity, empathy, and ____________. resilience

True or False:
1. Aristotle believed that true happiness is primarily achieved through external goods such
as wealth and fame. False
2. Virtue, according to Aristotle, is developed through habitual action and finding the mean
between excess and deficiency. True
 3. Critics argue that Aristotle's ethical framework is universally applicable across different
cultures and historical contexts. False
4. Aristotle's emphasis on virtues like courage and temperance may not adequately address
contemporary ethical issues. True
5. Aristotle's ethical perspectives underscore the significance of rational deliberation and the
pursuit of external goods as the ultimate goal of human life. False
6. Aristotle valued friendship as crucial for ethical living and categorized it into friendships
of utility, pleasure, and virtue. True
7. Critics question the relevance of Aristotle's ethical theories in modern societies where
individuals are often faced with rapidly changing social norms. True
8. In Aristotle's ethical framework, virtues are seen as mere habits with no active
involvement of reason. False
9. Aristotle believed that reason plays a minimal role in ethical decision-making compared
to emotions and intuition. False
10. Proponents of Aristotle's ethics argue for its practical application in various domains,
including business, healthcare, and education. True

Essay Questions:

Examine St. Thomas Aquinas's Natural Law Theory and its foundational principles. How
does Aquinas define natural law, and what are its key tenets?

Brief Answer: St. Thomas Aquinas's Natural Law Theory is grounded in the belief that there
exists a universal moral order inherent in nature, accessible to human reason. Natural law
dictates that good should be pursued and evil avoided, guiding moral actions based on principles
inherent in human nature. The tenets of natural law include Eternal Law, Human Reason,
Universal Principles, Goodness and Avoidance of Evil, Preservation of Life, Promotion of the
Common Good, Human Dignity and Rights, Legitimate Authority and Law, and Teleology.

Discuss the interplay between happiness and moral virtues in St. Thomas Aquinas's ethical
framework. How does Aquinas view happiness as constitutive of moral and cardinal
virtues?

Brief Answer: St. Thomas Aquinas's ethical framework emphasizes the intrinsic connection
between happiness and moral virtues, particularly the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice,
temperance, and courage. Aquinas believes that true happiness is achieved through virtuous
actions guided by reason and in alignment with natural law principles. Virtues shape one's
character and guide actions towards the common good, ultimately leading to fulfillment and
moral flourishing.

Evaluate the practical implications of St. Thomas Aquinas's ethical theories in real-world
scenarios. What are some key debates surrounding the application of Aquinas's ethics, and
how do they inform moral decision-making?
Brief Answer: St. Thomas Aquinas's ethical theories have practical implications in various real-
world scenarios, shaping moral decision-making and guiding individuals towards virtuous living.
Key debates include the role of conscience and human acts, the balance between virtues and
principles, the implications for economic systems, and the influence on social justice
movements. Aquinas's ethics provide a comprehensive framework for moral reasoning,
emphasizing the importance of conscience, natural law, virtues, and social justice considerations
in guiding ethical behavior and promoting human flourishing.