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Students Zone / Questions / Chapter 23: Normative Ethics: Consequentialism and Virtue Ethics

1. When I assess the moral worth of an action should I consider the motive behind it rather than its consequences?

2. Are moral judgements just the expression of preferences?

3. Explain, with examples, Aristotle’s doctrine of the mean. Discuss its strengths and weaknesses.

4. Outline and assess Aristotle’s view that happiness is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue.

5. What in your view are the chief advantages and disadvantages of utilitarianism as a guide to moral conduct?

6. Distinguish between act and rule utilitarianism. Which do you prefer and why?

7. Do you believe that happiness is the aim of all human life and the ultimate appeal for all ethical questions? What problems are presented by any ethical theory that assumes it is?

8. The problem for preference utilitarianism is how to count and compare preferences. Explain and assess how successful preference utilitarianism is as a moral theory.

9. What are supererogatory actions? How successful is preference utilitarianism in dealing with them?

10. What are the strengths and weaknesses of moral pluralism?