Notes: Chapter 13 – Critical Thinking and Morality

If we are to be intellectually mature, we also must try to integrate the results of these moral analyses and
deliberations into a comprehensive picture of reality, what is known as a _worldview___________, … [which is]
a philosophy of life, a set of beliefs and theories that helps us make sense of a wide range of issues in life. It
defines for us what exists, what should be, and what we can know. We all have a worldview, and our notions
about morality are an important part of it. A good critical thinker tries to ensure that his or her worldview
contains no internal __contradictions________________ and that it offers reliable guidance in dealing with the
world.

Moral Arguments
Moral arguments, however, differ from nonmoral ones in that their conclusions are __moral statements_______
statements, … [which are] statements asserting that an action is right or wrong (moral or immoral) or that
something (such as a person or motive) is good or bad.
The standard moral argument is a mixture of moral and nonmoral statements. At least _one_____ premise is a
moral statement that asserts a general moral principle or moral standard. At least _one____ premise makes a
nonmoral claim. And the conclusion is a _moral______ statement, or judgment, about a particular case (usually
a particular kind of action).

Write your own example of a moral argument. Don’t use the examples provided in the textbook.
_________stealing is wrong as it disregards respect for other people’s property. _____________

Moral Premises
As noted in previous chapters, accurately assessing the truth of nonmoral premises depends mostly on your
knowledge of the subject matter, including the results of relevant scientific research, the analyses of reliable
experts, and the content of your background information. Gauging the truth of moral premises (moral
principles) mostly involves examining the support they get from three sources: (1) __other moral principles ___,
(2) __moral theories _____________, and (3) __considered moral judgments _________________.

In your own words, explain the meaning of the three things you listed above.
1. __guides that help us judge and determine right from wrong. Beliefs that allow us to dictate good and bad.
They allow us to generate ethical decisions. ________________

2. ___a structure that allows us to understand how we decide right and wrong conduct. They allow us to
understand moral principles and how they work. _______________________.

3. ____moral judgments which we consider to be trustworthy and reliable after reflecting upon them.
Considered moral judgments are the moral conclusions we produce after after evaluating every possible
solution to a problem. _______________

Moral Theories
As we have seen, theories of morality are attempts to explain what makes an action __right_____ or what
makes a person or motive ___good_______. They try to specify what all right actions and all good things have in
common. As such, they can give __support________, __guidance________, or ___validation__________ to our
moral decision making, shaping our moral principles, judgments, and arguments.
Interestingly enough, we all have a __moral theory ________. Whether we articulate it or not, we all have some
kind of view of what makes actions right or persons good. Even the notion that there is no such thing as right or
wrong is a moral theory. Even the idea that all moral theories are worthless or that all moral judgments are
subjective, objective, relative, or meaningless is a moral theory. The critical question, then, is not whether you
have a moral theory but whether the theory you have is ___a good one_________.

Evaluating Moral Theories

All moral theories are not created __equal_______. Some theories are __better________ than others.
In your own words, explain the following criteria of adequacy for moral theories:
Consistency with considered moral judgments: ____our moral judgments should be without contradictions .
Our moral judgments should align with principles and values. Preserving the integrity of the judgment without
conflicts. ________________________________________________

Consistency with our experience of the moral life: __our moral judgments should be due to our real life
experiences. Our judgments should be in harmony with the way we have experienced and observed life.
Prioritizing judgments that are relevant and grounding to our lives. _________________________

Workability in real-life situations __can be described as how productive and functional an idea is when adapted
or suitable to a real life situation. Is the approach effective and appropriate in producing a desired
outcome?_______

Two Important Theories

In your own words, explain how utilitarianism decides whether an action is morally right or wrong. Then say
how it fairs on each of the three criterion of adequacy.
_utilitarianism decides whether an action is right or wrong by looking at which action generates the most
happiness for the most number of people. Utilitarianism fairs on the three criterion of adequacy by looking at
the simplicity (an effortless and forthright approach which is a boost in happiness), explanatory power (clear
reasoning as to why certain behaviors or actions are considered to be right or wrong based on their outcomes) ,
and consistency (typically is consistent to the principle of greatest happiness, but when the results are difficult
to foresee, it may lead to clashing scenarios.__________

In your own words, explain how Kantian Ethics decides whether an action is morally right or wrong. Then say
how it fairs on each of the three criterion of adequacy.
__________ Kantian Ethics decides whether an action is right or wrong by evaluating the intentions behind the
approach rather than the consequences the approach may lead to. Kantian Ethics fairs on the three criterion of
adequacy by looking at the simplicity (an effortless and forthright approach with the idea that it is only effective
if it can be universalized so everyone can do it), explanatory power (clear reasoning as to why certain behaviors
or actions are considered to be always wrong regardless of their outcomes) , and consistency (typically is
consistent to moral principles in the importance of treating everyone with respect, however when faced subtle
predicaments, it may be difficult to read between the lines. ______________________