CLASS TEST 2 NOTES

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University Of Arizona *

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520

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Philosophy

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Dec 6, 2023

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docx

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Plato's Crito: This is a written conversation between two ancient Greek thinkers, Plato and Socrates. In it, Socrates is in jail, waiting to be executed, and his friend Crito visits him. Crito wants to help Socrates escape, but Socrates is not sure if he should do that. Obligation to Obey the Law: This part of the topic deals with the question of whether people have a duty to follow the rules and laws of their society, even if they don't agree with them. Socrates had been sentenced to death by the city's legal system, so this dialogue is about whether he should escape or stay and face his punishment. In the "Crito" dialogue, Socrates argues that it's important to obey the law, even if the law seems unfair, because living in a society means agreeing to follow its rules. He believes that breaking the law, even to avoid a harsh punishment, would be unjust. So, this topic explores the ethical question of when it's right or wrong to disobey the law and what responsibilities citizens have towards their society's legal system. It's a philosophical discussion about the balance between individual conscience and social order. Introduction to Immanuel Kant: Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was a German philosopher who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern philosophy. He made significant contributions to various areas of philosophy, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics. Kant's philosophy is often referred to as "Kantianism," and he is best known for his works on ethics and epistemology. Kant's philosophy is characterized by an attempt to reconcile rationalism and empiricism, which were two dominant philosophical traditions of his time. He believed that human knowledge is a product of both reason and experience and that there are limits to what can be known. Kant's most famous work, "Critique of Pure Reason," explores the nature of human knowledge and the limitations of reason. Kant also made a significant contribution to ethics with his theory of deontological ethics, which is often summarized by the famous principle known as the "Categorical Imperative." He believed that morality is based on rational principles and that actions are morally right if they conform to these principles, regardless of the consequences. Kant's ethical philosophy is a cornerstone in the development of modern moral theory. Kant's Propositions of Morality: Kant's main idea about morality is that it should be based on reason and some fundamental rules. He came up with three important rules: 1. The Universal Rule: Imagine if everyone in the world acted the same way you want to act. If this doesn't lead to any problems or contradictions, then your action is probably morally okay.
2. Respect for People: Treat people with kindness and respect. Don't use them for your own benefit but consider their feelings and rights. 3. Community of Morals: Kant dreamed of a world where everyone followed these moral rules, creating a community where everyone is treated well. Kant's First Two Forms of the Categorical Imperative: Kant's main rule for morality is called the "Categorical Imperative." He has two important versions of this rule: 1. Golden Rule: Act as if the rule you follow could be followed by everyone without causing any problems or contradictions. 2. Respect People: Treat others as valuable and important in themselves, not just as tools to get what you want. These rules are like guides to help you make good moral choices and do the right thing. Topic 1: Introduction to Kant and Deontological Ethics Question 1: Who was Immanuel Kant, and what is his significance in philosophy? Answer 1: Immanuel Kant was a famous philosopher known for his ideas on ethics and morality. He's significant because he developed the concept of deontological ethics, which is based on the idea that actions are right or wrong in themselves, regardless of their consequences. Question 2: What is deontological ethics, and how does it differ from other ethical theories? Answer 2: Deontological ethics is an ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of following moral rules or principles. Unlike other theories that focus on the outcomes or consequences of actions, deontological ethics says that actions are inherently right or wrong based on whether they adhere to these rules. Topic 2: Kant's Three Propositions of Morality 0Question 1: What are Kant's three propositions of morality, and how do they guide ethical decision-making? Answer 1: Kant's three propositions of morality are: a. The Formula of Universal Law: Act only according to maxims (personal principles) that can be consistently willed as universal laws without contradictions. b. The Formula of Humanity: Treat people with respect and consider them as ends in themselves, not just as a means to an end. c. The Formula of the Kingdom of Ends: Imagine a world where everyone follows these moral rules, creating a community of moral beings. These propositions help us determine whether our actions are morally right by checking if they can be universal rules, respect individuals, and create a moral community.
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