Starter quiz
- What is the main difference between moral evil and natural evil?
- Moral evil is caused by human actions, while natural evil is not. ✓
- Natural evil is always intentional, while moral evil is accidental.
- Moral evil occurs in nature, while natural evil is caused by humans.
- Natural evil can be controlled by humans, while moral evil cannot.
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- Deontology focuses on rules or duties, whereas ______ focuses on the consequences or outcomes of actions.
- 'teleology' ✓
- Which of the following statements best describes Kant's approach to ethics?
- The rightness of an action depends on its consequences.
- Actions are morally right if they follow universal moral rules. ✓
- Ethical decisions are based on the situation and guided by love.
- Morality is determined by individual desires and personal goals.
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- Which of the following statements best describes utilitarianism?
- Actions are right if they follow moral rules, regardless of the outcome.
- The right action leads to the greatest good for the greatest number. ✓
- Ethical decisions are based on individual desires and personal goals.
- The right action is determined by the character of the person performing it.
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- Which of the following statements best describes the principle of situation ethics?
- The right action is determined by following set rules or laws.
- Moral decisions are based on the greatest good for the greatest number.
- Ethical decisions should be based on the situation and guided by love. ✓
- Actions are right if they are in line with one's personal character.
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- Who is most commonly associated with the idea of eudaimonia or flourishing in ethics?
- Immanuel Kant
- Joseph Fletcher
- Jeremy Bentham
- Aristotle ✓
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Exit quiz
- What does the word 'compassion' originally mean in Latin?
- to care for others
- to suffer with someone ✓
- to show love unconditionally
- to make things fair
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- Match each ethical theory to its main focus.
- utilitarianism⇔acts based on the greatest good for the greatest number ✓
- virtue ethics⇔emphasises developing good character traits like kindness ✓
- situation ethics⇔focuses on agape love, showing unconditional care for others ✓
- Kantian ethics⇔treating others with dignity and respect, not as a means to an end ✓
- What is meant by the question 'Can compassion justify suffering?'?
- Is compassion a reason to cause suffering?
- Can compassion prevent suffering from happening?
- Is suffering necessary to show compassion?
- Does compassion make suffering fair or acceptable? ✓
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- Put the following steps in the correct order for preparing and writing a philosophical argument for a question such as 'Does compassion justify suffering?'.
- 1⇔State your intention.
- 2⇔Present an argument.
- 3⇔Consider an objection.
- 4⇔Counter the objection.
- Which of the following statements are arguments in support of the idea that compassion justifies suffering?
- Compassion leads us to ease others' pain, especially when the pain isn't needed.
- Compassion can make suffering worthwhile by inspiring kindness. ✓
- Suffering is never acceptable but compassion helps reduce it.
- Compassion helps us find meaning in suffering. ✓
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- Which of the following statements are arguments in support of the idea that compassion does not justify suffering?
- Compassion makes suffering fair because it inspires selflessness.
- Compassion should be about showing that suffering is never justified. ✓
- Compassion may not always help someone who is suffering. ✓
- The benefits of compassion are greater than the pain caused by suffering.
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Virtue ethics, Kantian ethics, utilitarianism and situation ethics can support decision-making around compassion.
- People may not have an absolute view on ethical issues.
- Compassion may reduce or justify suffering.
- Philosophers create arguments to support their viewpoints.
Common misconception
If we show compassion, we can eliminate suffering entirely.
While compassion can help reduce suffering, it doesn’t always eliminate it, as some suffering may be inevitable or necessary for personal growth and moral development.
Keywords
Compassion - the feeling of caring for someone’s suffering and wanting to help alleviate it
Justify - to explain why something is right or acceptable
Suffering - the experience of pain or distress
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