Deck 6: Natural Law

Question 1

According to natural law theory, how can we come to have moral knowledge? Does the theory succeed in solving the problem of how to gain moral knowledge? Why or why not?

Answer 1

No Answer.

Question 2

What is the difference between the Efficiency Model and the Fitness Model of natural purposes? Does either model provide a plausible basis for natural law theory? Why or why not?

Answer 2

No Answer.

Question 3

Define ambiguity, and explain how it can undermine moral arguments. What key term or terms are ambiguous in natural law theory? How serious of a problem is this for the theory?

Answer 3

No Answer.

Question 4

Explain the natural law argument. What are some possible interpretations of the first premise, and why is each problematic? Do you think that there is any way to modify premise one to avoid these concerns? What general lessons about natural law theory do you think that we can draw from these considerations?

Question 5

Explain the three conceptions of human nature found in the text. Which of these conceptions of human nature do you find to be most plausible? What is an objection to that conception of human nature? Can the conception of human nature be defended against the objection? Why or why not? Does your discussion have any implications for natural law theory? Defend your response.

Question 6

Which of the following problems does natural law theory promise to solve?

A) How morality could possibly be objective.
B) Why morality is specially suited for human beings.
C) The origins of morality.
D) All of the above

Question 7

According to natural law theory, what is the recipe for acquiring moral knowledge?

A) Determine what our human nature is.
B) See whether various actions fulfill human nature.
C) Consult holy scripture.
D) Both a and b

Question 8

Which of the following are natural law theorists committed to?

A) The idea that morality is non-natural.
B) The idea that human nature is unknowable.
C) The idea that there is a human essence.
D) Both a and b

Question 9

Innate traits are traits that we

A) acquire through education.
B) have from birth.
C) don't manifest.
D) acquire through socialization.

Question 10

The term human nature

A) always refers to what all humans have in common.
B) always refers to what is innate to humans.
C) always refers to the natural purposes of humans.
D) is ambiguous.

Question 11

According to the text, what does it mean to say a premise begs the question?

A) That it implicitly asks a question
B) That it pleads for a question to be asked
C) That it assumes the truth of the conclusion it's meant to support
D) That it raises an objection to the conclusion it's mean to support

Question 12

According to the text, nature

A) determines what is right or wrong.
B) sets the outer bounds of what morality can require.
C) is completely irrelevant to morality.
D) is directly opposed to morality.

Question 13

What is an innate trait?

A) A trait we learn from our parents
B) A trait we acquire through socialization
C) A trait we have from birth
D) Both a and b

Question 14

What is it for a term to be ambiguous?

A) It is clear and precise.
B) It has more than one meaning.
C) It is meaningless.
D) It plays a key role in an argument.

Question 15

According to the text, what is wrong with the argument from humanity?

A) It is invalid.
B) One of the premises is clearly false.
C) One of the key terms is ambiguous.
D) All of the above

Question 16

According to the text, what is the role of nature in moral theory?

A) Nature determines what is right or wrong.
B) Nature is completely irrelevant to morality.
C) Nature sets the outer bounds of morality.
D) None of the above