Exam 1: Hedonism: Its Powerful Appeal

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Normative ethics and metaethics are two distinct branches of ethics that focus on different aspects of moral philosophy.

Normative ethics is concerned with determining what is morally right or wrong, and how individuals should act in specific situations. It is concerned with providing guidelines for ethical behavior and making moral judgments. An example of a claim from normative ethics is "It is wrong to lie." This claim falls into the category of normative ethics because it is making a specific moral judgment about the act of lying and providing a guideline for ethical behavior.

On the other hand, metaethics is concerned with the nature of ethical language and the foundations of moral principles. It seeks to understand the meaning of moral terms and concepts, and to explore the nature of moral reasoning. An example of a claim from metaethics is "Moral statements are expressions of personal emotions or attitudes." This claim falls into the category of metaethics because it is not making a specific moral judgment, but rather examining the nature of moral language and the basis of moral principles.

Theories about metaethics do have bearing on claims about normative ethics. Metaethical theories can help us understand the basis for our moral judgments and the nature of ethical language, which can in turn inform our understanding of normative ethical principles. For example, if we believe that moral statements are expressions of personal emotions, it may lead us to question the objectivity of moral judgments and the basis for ethical principles. Therefore, while normative ethics and metaethics are distinct areas of study, they are interconnected and can inform each other in our understanding of moral philosophy.

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The fact that most people would not desire their loved ones to get lobotomies, even if it would make them happier, raises a challenge to hedonism because it suggests that there are values and considerations beyond just maximizing pleasure. Hedonism is the ethical theory that the ultimate goal of life is to maximize pleasure and minimize pain. However, this scenario shows that people prioritize other values, such as autonomy, dignity, and personal identity, over simply maximizing happiness.

The hedonist might respond by arguing that the reason people would not want their loved ones to get lobotomies is because they are not fully informed about the consequences and do not understand that it would ultimately lead to greater happiness. They might also argue that the discomfort and distress caused by the procedure itself would outweigh any potential long-term happiness. Additionally, the hedonist might claim that people's aversion to lobotomies is based on irrational fears or societal taboos, rather than a rational consideration of what would truly lead to the most pleasure.

However, this response may not be convincing to everyone. It seems unlikely that people's aversion to lobotomies is solely based on ignorance or irrational fears. The idea that there are values beyond pleasure, such as autonomy and personal identity, is deeply ingrained in many ethical systems and is not easily dismissed. Additionally, the idea that maximizing pleasure is the ultimate goal of life may not align with many people's intuitions about what is truly valuable and meaningful in life. Therefore, while the hedonist may have a response to this challenge, it may not fully address the underlying concerns about the limitations of a purely pleasure-based ethical theory.