1.

Ethical Relativism is the view that____________________

(B) there are no such things as moral facts

2. A cultural ethical relativist is committed to the claim that_________

(E) every culture has a right to its own moral norms

3. Which ethical theory is NOT consistent with ethical relativism?

(A) Absolutism

4. How is ethical absolutism incompatible with ethical relativism?

(D) Ethical relativism says that there is diversity in moral norms.

5. Consequentialism and Utilitarianism

Consequentialism is the view that __________________
(E) Acts are to be morally judged in terms of their consequences

6. Utility in ethical theory is roughly equivalent to________________

(D) happiness

7. In normative theory, utilitarianism is a species of ________________

(C) consequentialism

8. Which philosopher was one of the first to champion utilitarianism

(C) John Stuart Mill

9. Ethical egoism maintains that ___________________________

(C) it is always ethical to do whatever is in your own interests

10. Kant maintained that an action is rational only if_________________

(B) it is done with the best intentions

NORMATIVE ETHICS: Ethical Case analysis

One Example, Three theories

My friend has not done her homework on time, and in order to avoid getting into trouble,
she has decided to stay at home, pretending that she is sick. She can get the homework
done today and bring it tomorrow, and then no one will know that she didn’t do it on
time. She has asked me to lie for her, to tell the teacher that she is sick. Should I lie?

An act utilitarian might say__________________________________________(3 lines)

End Goal: Perform according to what results in the greater good. Work towards
what benefits the most members.

1. Lie because it benefits the most people.

By making the lie that my friend is sick, it benefits the greater good—that is—both me
and my friend**. My friend benefits from the lie because she is no longer compelled to
submit the homework or go to school that day. Since she does not have to go to school,
she also eludes the possible consequences for being unable to complete the work. By
putting in a good word for her, I am giving her reason of absence credibility, and thereby
testifying this as true. On my end, I benefit as well because I get to prove my
trustworthiness. Having gained the trust of my friend, and I can continue enjoying her
company.
** In this particular statement ONLY do I assume that the teacher is a neutral person,
since there is no indicated action on her part, whether or not my friend is able to submit
the homework.

2. Don’t lie because everyone benefits.

If I tell the truth, I will benefit by having a clear conscience since I have nothing to hide.
If my friend faces the consequences of her actions, she can learn from that experience,
strive to become more competent as a student and stick to her deadlines, and thereby
benefitting her. The teacher will also benefit from learning that my friend is having a
difficulty fulfilling schoolwork, and can potentially use that as relevant information to
improve the amount of workload they assign to their students.

3. Lie because everyone benefits.

If I lie, benefit by fulfilling my friend’s request. My friend benefits from not having to do
the work, go to school, or face the consequences of missing work. The teacher as well,
benefits from not knowing about my friend’s academic deficiency, and thus, having one
less concern to worry about.

A deontologist would say___________________________________________(3 lines)

End goal: Do it if it is good according to principles/frameworks. Consequences are

irrelevant.

1. Tell the truth because telling the truth is good.

I should tell the truth because it is fundamentally good, according to established

frameworks and institutions. Many sources state that truth-telling is good. Some of these
manifestations can be observed in the constitution. In sworn oaths which compel
individuals to tell the truth, as promoted by the Holy Bible. The Holy Bible in itself, also
testifies to the goodness of truth as something that will “set you free” from worldly
impediments such as sin, misery, or ignorance. Reinforced by social pressure to be a
truthful, law abiding citizen, it is therefore clear that telling the truth is a good action, and
should therefore be done. I merely wish to tell the truth, with no intended ill will on my
friend.There is no remorse to be felt for the consequences that my friend will face
because the intention of telling the truth is good. If my friend receives fair punishment
for her actions, then so be it.
 2. Do not lie. Lying is bad.
Plainly, the deontologist believes that I should not lie because lying is bad. If telling the
truth is good, then doing the opposite is bad, and I do not want to do bad things. Lying is
bad because if people generally didn't tell the truth, life would become very difficult, as
nobody could be trusted and nothing you heard or read could be trusted. Lying promotes
misinformation and misrepresentation of reality. In addition, those who are lied to as a
means to achieve the liar's purpose, rather than as a valuable end in themselves. My
friend is using me to convey her lie. If consent to her using me as a vehicle for her lie, I
consent to dishonesty, and I have to lie to another party (the teacher). Thus, committing a
wrong, which is ethically unacceptable by deontological means of thinking.

3. Lie under natural obligation to deliver the object of the agreement.

Under the Philippine Constitution, a natural obligation is described as follows:

ARTICLE 1423 - not being based on positive law but on equity and natural law, do not
grant a right of action to enforce their performance, but after voluntary fulfillment by the
obligor, they authorize the retention of what has been delivered or rendered by reason
thereof.

My friend did not compel me to lie on her behalf. We did not enter into a signed contract,
and it seems as though there were no witnesses other than us. Therefore, it seems more
than clear to me that I have no contractual obligation to lie on her behalf. However, I can
choose to act on natural obligation, which motivates me to fulfill my part of telling the
lie, only because I volunteer to do it, not because I am duty bound. Under natural
obligation, I am simply agreeing to tell the lie because I want to do it for my friend, out
of good will and good faith of performing the request. Beyond that willingness, I am not
expected to perform, since I am not bound by a contract. I just choose to do it because I
want to do what my friend requested, nothing more.

A virtue theorist would consider______________________________________(3 lines)

End Goal: Apply your long-standing values, and use those values to determine the
appropriate action for a situation.

1. By virtue of loyalty, lie for your friend.

[Assuming] My friend is a person I have trusted and respected for a seasoned period. I
am indebted to her, by virtue of loyalty to fulfill her wish of lying on her behalf. I am
faithful and devoted to my friend. I genuinely have her best interests at heart. I choose to
understand her motives for requesting such a thing of me. Therefore, under my desire to
be a reliable ally to my friend, I will lie on her behalf. By the virtue of loyalty, I am
proving to her that in this way, I am able to value her highly as my friend.

2. By virtue of integrity, do not lie.

Upholding integrity has a lot to do with preserving my honor and dignity as an individual.
Acting out of integrity, I strive to maintain a positive, clean image of myself. By
choosing to lie, I taint my image, as I consent to the voluntary misrepresentation of the
truth. Since I do not want to besmirch my good name and reputation, I am motivated to
tell the truth instead of covering up for my friend, since integrity is stronger than my
regard for my friend.

3. By virtue of sympathy, lie.

Sympathy, not empathy. Empathy simply entails knowing what it’s like to be in someone
else’s shoes, but sympathy goes far into understanding the situation based on my own
perspective of how the effects of the action will play out for the actors. Sympathy brought
about my pity towards my friend who might face negative consequences merits my
extended consideration for her situation. My sympathy for her situation compels me to
help her in the way that I can—by lying. I pity her so much so, that I find it impossible to
refuse her request. By lying on her behalf, I am allowing sympathy to apply to the
situation. I cannot find it in myself to say no, as I have gained a deep and personal
understanding as to what the situation would be and feel like for her, along with the
anticipated consequences.

Submit during the day in late evening, in the Classroom. March 18, 2022