Ethics and Moral Philosophy
What to master
Know the three major normative theories and their rivals. Consequentialism judges acts by outcomes, with utilitarianism as its classic form; distinguish act from rule utilitarianism and note the demandingness and integrity objections. Deontology judges acts by duty and respect for persons; Kant's categorical imperative has a formula of universal law and a formula of humanity, and the distinction between hypothetical and categorical imperatives is examinable. Virtue ethics locates morality in character and flourishing, with Aristotle's doctrine of the mean and the role of practical wisdom. Metaethics asks about the status of moral claims: cognitivism versus non-cognitivism, realism versus anti-realism, and the is-ought gap. Applied topics include trolley problems, moral luck, and partiality to loved ones.
Traps to expect
Do not reduce deontology to rule-following without the universalisability test, or utilitarianism to selfishness. The naturalistic fallacy is about deriving ought from is, not about appealing to nature in any sense. Distinguish metaethical claims from normative ones: 'murder is wrong' is normative; 'moral claims express emotions' is metaethical.
Worked example
A question asks whether lying to protect someone is permissible. A Kantian answer must test the maxim for universalisability and respect for persons; a utilitarian weighs consequences. Rule of thumb: identify the theory's criterion of rightness first, then apply it consistently.