AS Ethics Flashcards
(34 cards)
What does teleological ethics mean?
Ethics focuses on the consequences of an action
What does agape love mean?
The highest form of love.
Live which is sacrificial and unconditional.
What does diversity thesis mean?
The view that cultures are always different and that cultural values always differ
What are 2 strengths of moral relativism?
1- breeds respect for others and toleration of differences
2- other religions are no longer branded infidel
What are 2 weaknesses of moral relativism?
1- we cannot condemn someone for having a view such as ‘terrorism is good’
2- can’t be any moral progress as we can’t judge who is better
Can you name a quote to do with relativism by JL Mackie?
“There is no objective truth”
Can you name a quote about relativism by John Ladd?
“There are no absolute universal moral standards binding on all men at all times”
What does Pope Benedict think about relativism?
“We are in danger of falling into a tyranny of relativism”
What are apparent goods?
Acts done from reason which do not correspond with natural law
What are real goods?
Acts done from human reason which correspond to the natural law
What is eternal law?
The law conceived by God
What is divine law?
The law revealed to humankind in the bible
What is human law?
The laws we establish by human reason as our social laws
What is syndersis?
The assumption that we by nature seek to do good and avoid evil
What are the 5 primary precepts?
P - preservation of life O - ordered society W - worship of God E - education R - reproduction
What is the reformation?
The assumption that we ‘all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory’ (Romans 3-23)
What do the primary precepts reflect and why?
The divine will.
Because God designed is with a rational nature in His image.
What are 3 strengths of natural law?
1- autonomous and rational theory
2- an exalted view of humans (we use our resin to work out how to live)
3- flexible (secondary precepts change depending on circumstances)
What are 3 weaknesses to natural law?
1- a fixed human nature (Aquinas believed in a fixed, shared human nature eg heterosexual. But evidence shows homosexuality may be a genetic cause)
2- optimistic (A believes we’re born to do good and avoid evil, opposite to Augustine)
3- immoral outcomes (NL bans contraception? Interferes with primary precept for ‘reproduction’)
What does deontological ethics mean?
Ethics focuses on your duty or rules
What is a normative theory?
A theory which tells you what is right and wrong/ what you ought to do
What does an a priori argument mean?
An argument derived from reason, NOT experience
What is the key kantian assumption?
That we are AUTONOMOUS MORAL AGENTS (self-legislators)
- we have free choice and free reason
What does Kant think the only thing that is morally good without exceptions
Good will
