1. Review of Key Ethical Ideas
Unit 3 Review

2. Doctrine of Teleology Plato Main Ideas
Everything and everyone has a purpose.
3 parts of the soul: appetite/desire, spirit/passion, and reason
Reason must properly order the soul to achieve one’s purpose and happiness

3. Doctrine of the Mean Aristotle Main Ideas:
Happiness is life’s ultimate goal.
The mean (average) brings true happiness.
Morality resides in the person, not in the act.

4. Hedonism Epicurus Main Ideas:
Seek pleasure and avoid pain.
Overindulgence will lead to pain so moderation is best.
Modern Hedonism (love of pleasure and overindulgence) is a warping of the original ideas of Epicurus.

5. Stoicism
Monks are often called stoic, but we did not study one specific philosopher.
Main Ideas:
Accept your fate courageously and without emotion.
Happiness comes from acceptance of the fact that much of life is predetermined.

6. Utilitarianism Bentham & Mill Main Ideas:
Pleasure is the ultimate goal.
Greatest good for the greatest number.
High pleasures (ex: knowledge, beauty, justice) are better than low pleasures (ex: food)
Overlook the Is-Ought Fallacy (Just because something is one way doesn’t mean it ought to be.)

7. Altruism Superheroes Main Ideas:
Sacrifice yourself for the good of others.

8. Categorical Imperative
Kant
Main Ideas:
Only do that which can be universalized
Moral acts are only those that are done in accordance with one’s duty.

9. Objectivism Ayn Rand Main Ideas:
Altruism, conformity, and obedience to others are all immoral.
Reality is objective; we must use reason to choose what is best for ourselves.
Self-interest and capitalism are moral.

10. Logical Positivism Objection to Ethics Main Ideas:
Ethics/morality is meaningless because they are metaphysically unreal.
Only mathematically/scientifically verifiable data has meaning.

11. Ethical Relativism Objection to Ethics Main Ideas:
Nothing is absolute.
Morality depends on your point of view, culture, & established social norms.

12. Determinism Objection to Ethics Main Ideas:
External factors control everything.
No ethical/unethical choices are possible because everything is predetermined.