CHAPTER 2: ETHICS AND HUMAN INTERFACE Flashcards
What is the literal meaning of the word “philosophy”?
The love of wisdom.
Image: Image of an owl, a symbol of wisdom.
What are some of the general and fundamental problems that philosophy studies?
Existence, knowledge, values, reasons, mind, and language.
Image: Image of a person sitting at a desk thinking, representing the process of philosophical inquiry.
What are some of the philosophical methods used to solve problems?
Questioning, critical discussion, rational argument, and systematic presentation.
Image: Image of a group of people having a lively discussion, representing the importance of critical dialogue in philosophy.
What is epistemology and what are some typical questions it asks?
Epistemology is the theory of knowledge. It deals with questions about the nature, origin, scope, and possibility of knowledge. Examples of typical questions include: “What is knowledge?” “How do we know things?” “What are the limits of knowledge?”
Image: Image of a question mark, representing the questioning nature of epistemology.
What is metaphysics and what does it study?
Metaphysics is the study of first principles and “being.” It deals with questions about the nature of reality, both visible and invisible. Examples of typical questions include: “What is the nature of reality?” “Is there a God?” “What is the meaning of life?”
Image: Image of a starry night sky, representing the vastness and mystery of the universe.
What is logic and what is its purpose?
Logic is the study of correct reasoning. Its purpose is to provide tools for evaluating arguments and distinguishing between valid and fallacious reasoning.
Image: Image of a Venn diagram, representing the process of logical analysis.
What is ethics and what does it study?
Ethics is the study of morality and “good” or “right” behavior. It deals with questions about how we should live our lives and what moral principles we should follow.
Image: Image of a person making a difficult decision, representing the ethical dilemmas we face in our lives.
What is aesthetics and what does it explore?
Aesthetics is the study of beauty and artistic appreciation. It explores the creation and appreciation of beauty through critical analysis and reflection.
Image: Image of a beautiful painting or sculpture, representing the subject matter of aesthetics.
What is political philosophy and what does it deal with?
Political philosophy is the study of concepts such as liberty, justice, property, rights, law, and the enforcement of a legal code. It deals with questions about the nature of government, the rights and freedoms of citizens, and the best form of government.
Image: Image of a government building or a protest, representing the political sphere.
What is character?
An evaluation of a person’s enduring moral qualities that set them apart from others. It’s a constellation of traits that influence consistent patterns of behavior.
Image: Person standing tall with a radiant aura, representing strong moral character.
How does Marx connect character and self-esteem?
He agrees with Aristotle that virtuous character and good morals lead to a sense of self-worth and confidence.
Image: Two mirrors facing each other, symbolizing the reflection of virtue on self-esteem.
Explain Plato’s three-part soul and its connection to character.
Plato divided the soul into rational, appetitive (desire), and spirited parts. For good character, all three need to work together, with the rational guiding the desires and spirit towards actions aligned with overall good.
Image: Diagram of a three-tiered structure representing Plato’s soul division.
How does Aristotle view the foundation of good character?
He sees it rooted in two natural tendencies: enjoying self-realizing activities and forming positive connections with others. Everyone has the potential for good character and is responsible for their actions that express it.
Image: Person engaging in a fulfilling activity and connecting with another, illustrating Aristotle’s view.
What does “consistent patterns of functions” in the definition of character suggest?
It means that a person with good character behaves morally not just sometimes or in specific situations, but consistently across different circumstances.
Image: Person navigating diverse situations while maintaining their moral compass.
Can someone change their character?
Yes, character is not fixed. Through self-reflection, learning, and conscious effort, individuals can develop their virtuous qualities and improve their moral character.
Image: Seedling growing into a strong tree, symbolizing the potential for character development.
What is Meta-Ethics?
The branch of ethics that examines the origin and meaning of ethical principles. It asks “why ethics exist at all” and delves into both metaphysical and psychological aspects.
Image: Puzzle pieces fitting together, symbolizing the investigation of the foundation of ethics.
What are the two main metaphysical issues in Meta-Ethics?
- Absolutism: There are universal and unchanging ethical principles, like laws of nature, independent of human thought. Thinkers like Plato believed in their divinity.
- Relativism: Ethics are created by humans and vary with time, culture, and individual needs. Thinkers like sceptics deny universality of morals.
Image: One scale balanced with absolute weights and another with varying weights, representing absolutism and relativism.
What are the two types of Relativism?
- Individual Relativism: Individual preferences and circumstances define right and wrong for each person.
- Cultural Relativism: Morality is determined by societal norms and evolves through social processes.
Image: Individual holding their own moral compass vs. a group holding a shared compass, depicting individual and cultural relativism.
What are the four key psychological approaches to explaining ethical behavior?
- Egoism: Humans are inherently selfish and seek to maximize their own well-being.
- Altruism: We are social creatures driven by concern for others, seeking their good over our own.
- Emotion: Morality stems from our feelings, with good actions triggering positive emotions and vice versa. Thinker: David Hume.
- Reason: Ethical judgments are based on rational thought and logic, not just emotions.
Image: Four arrows pointing outwards from a central point, representing the different psychological perspectives on ethics.
Can we know for sure which ethical theory is correct?
Meta-Ethics offers various interpretations of morality, each with strengths and weaknesses. It challenges us to critically examine the foundations of our ethical beliefs and engage in ongoing philosophical dialogue.
Image: An open book with different paths diverging from it, symbolizing the exploration of multiple ethical viewpoints.
What is Descriptive Ethics?
Also known as comparative ethics, it studies people’s beliefs about morality. It explores what different individuals and groups consider good, evil, right, and wrong.
Image: A group of people from various cultures discussing their moral viewpoints, representing the diversity of beliefs studied in descriptive ethics.
How does Descriptive Ethics gather information?
It uses empirical research methods, like surveys, interviews, and observations, to understand people’s moral attitudes.
Image: A bar graph showcasing different moral views on a specific issue, illustrating the use of research in descriptive ethics.
Why is Descriptive Ethics dynamic?
Moral beliefs evolve over time and differ across cultures. What a society deems moral in one era or location might not be considered so in another.
Image: Two globes with different moral codes written on them, representing the cultural variations studied in descriptive ethics.
What are some benefits of Descriptive Ethics?
It provides valuable insights into:
Understanding diverse moral perspectives.
Identifying common ethical concerns across cultures.
Recognizing how moral views change over time.
Informing discussions on controversial ethical issues.
Image: A puzzle with pieces from different cultures and eras fitting together, symbolizing the interconnectedness of diverse moral viewpoints.
Does Descriptive Ethics tell us what is actually right or wrong?
No, it focuses on describing what people believe, not prescribing universal moral values. It provides the foundation for further ethical discussions and debates.
Image: A question mark surrounded by diverse moral symbols, highlighting the focus on understanding, not dictating, morality in descriptive ethics.
What is Normative Ethics?
The branch of ethics that deals with how we SHOULD act morally. It guides us on ethical dilemmas and prescribes principles for making good choices.
Image: A person standing at a crossroads, symbolizing a moral dilemma, with arrows pointing to different paths representing various ethical approaches.
What are the four main branches of Normative Ethics?
Virtue Ethics: Focuses on developing good character traits, like honesty and compassion, as the foundation for ethical actions.
Deontology: Emphasizes following ethical rules and duties, regardless of the consequences.
Consequentialism: Judges actions based on their outcomes, with those producing the most good considered ethical.
Ethics of Care: Highlights the importance of empathy, relationships, and interdependence in ethical decision-making.
Image: Four circles arranged in a square, each representing a different branch of Normative Ethics with its key symbol/idea inside.
Key concepts in Virtue Ethics:
Integrity: Moral consistency and wholeness of character.
Virtues: Positive character traits like wisdom, courage, and justice.
Vices: Negative character traits like cowardice or cruelty.
Image: A shield with the word “Integrity” at its center, surrounded by smaller circles representing different virtues.
Deontology and its Key Theories:
Duty-based: Focuses on fulfilling one’s obligations and respecting the rights of others.
Categorical Imperative (Kant): An action is ethical if you would want it to be a universal law.
Gandhian Ethics: emphasizes truth and non-violence as core ethical principles.
Nishkam Karma: Principle of selfless action without attachment to outcomes.
Image: A scale balanced with weights labeled “Duty” and “Rights” on each side, representing Deontology’s emphasis on balancing obligations.
Consequentialism and its variations:
Utilitarianism: Focuses on maximizing overall happiness or well-being.
Welfarism: Similar to Utilitarianism, but emphasizes national prosperity.
Egoism: Actions that maximize one’s own good are considered ethical.
Altruism: Actions that benefit others, even at personal cost, are considered ethical.
Image: A pie chart divided into sections representing different consequences of an action, with a larger section labeled “Happiness” for Utilitarianism.
Ethics of Care and its core idea:
Focuses on empathy, responsibility, and maintaining healthy relationships as guides for ethical decisions.
Emphasizes considering the context and needs of those involved in a situation.
Image: A web of interconnected circles representing people, symbolizing the focus on relationships in Ethics of Care.
What is Applied Ethics?
The branch of ethics that analyzes specific moral issues with real-world implications, like abortion or animal rights.
Image: A scale balancing two opposing viewpoints on a controversial issue, representing the analysis of real-world moral dilemmas in applied ethics.
What are the three criteria for a matter to be considered part of Applied Ethics?
Controversial: It should have significant opposing viewpoints.
Moral Dimensions: It should involve core ethical principles and values.
Social Impact: It should have substantial influence on society.
Image: Three interlocking circles labeled “Controversial,” “Moral Dimensions,” and “Social Impact,” symbolizing the criteria for applied ethical issues.
Why is controversy important in Applied Ethics?
It identifies issues where diverse ethical concerns clash, requiring careful analysis and informed decision-making.
Image: A debate scene with two opposing sides, representing the importance of controversy in sparking ethical discussions.
