Chapter 3 -- Normative Ethics Flashcards
ethics
the systematic reflection on morality
morality
the totality of opinions, decisions, and actions with which people express, individually or collectively, what they think is good or right
descriptive ethics
the branch of ethics that describes existing morality, including customs and habits, opinions about good and evil, responsible and irresponsible behavior, and acceptable and unacceptable action
normative ethics
branch of ethics that judges morality and tries to formulate normative recommendations about how to act or live
descriptive judgement
judgement that describes what is actually the case (the present), what was the case (the past), or what will be the case (future)
normative judgement
judgement about whether something is good or bad, desirable or undesirable, right or wrong
values
Lasting convictions or matters that people feel should be strived for in general and not just for themselves to be able to lead a good life or to realize a just society
Intrinsic value – value in and of itself
instrumental value
something that is valuable in as far as it is a means to, or contributes to something else that is intrinsically good or valuable
norms
rules that prescribe what actions are required, permitted, or forbidden
characteristics of virtues
Desired characteristics and they express a value that is worth striving for; Expressed in action; Lasting and permanent – form a lasting structural foundation for action; Always present but only used when necessary; Can be influenced by the individual
normative relativism
ethical theory that argues that all moral points of view – all values, norms, and virtues – are equally valid
universalism
ethical theory that states that there is a system of norms and values that is universally applicable to everyone, independent of time, place or culture
absolutism
a rigid form of universalism in which no exceptions to rules are possible
problems with absolutism
Cannot work with the notion that a universal norm prescribes the best action in all situations; Gives no answers for conflicting norms; Offers no room for an independent moral judgement since it often stems from dogmatism
consequentialism
class of ethical theories which hold that the consequences of actions are central to the moral judgement of those actions
utilitarianism
Actions are judged by the amount of pleasure and pain they bring about; Action that brings the greatest happiness for the greatest number should be chosen
hedonism
idea that pleasure is the only thing that is good in itself and to which all other things are instrumental
utility principle
principle that one should choose those actions that result in the greatest happiness for the greatest number
moral balance sheet
balance sheet in which the costs and benefits for each possible action are weighed against each other
freedom principle
moral principle that everyone is free to strive for his/her own pleasure as long as they do not deny or hinder the pleasure of others
no harm principle
one is free to do what one wishes as long as no harm is done to others
criticisms of utilitarianism
Happiness cannot be measured objectively; Can lead to exploitation; Distributive justice – refers to the value of having a just distribution of certain important goods like income, happiness and career; Ignores personal relationships between people; Certain actions are morally acceptable even though they do not create pleasure and some actions that maximize pleasure are morally unacceptable
act utilitarianism
traditional approach to utilitarianism in which the rightness of actions is judged by the (expected) consequences of those actions
rule utalitarianism
variation of utilitarianism that judges actions by judging the consequences of the rules on which these actions are based
duty ethics
(deontological ethics) class of approaches in ethics in which an action is considered morally right if it is in agreement with a certain moral rule
good will
we can speak of good will if our actions are led by the categorical imperative; only thing that is unconditionally good
hypothetical norm
condition norm which only applies under certain circumstances, usually of the form “if you want X do Y”
categorical imperative
universal principle of the form “Do A” which is the foundation of all moral judgments in Kant’s view
universality principle
first formulation of the categorical imperative: act only on that maxim which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law
equality postulate
prescription to treat persons as equals, with equal concern and respect
reciprocity principle
second formulation of the categorical imperative: act as to treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of any other, in every case as an end, never as means only
criticisms of duty ethics
Often there are several contradictory norms; No such thing as bending a rule; Prima facie norms – applicable norms, unless they are overruled by other more important norms that become evident when we take everything into consideration
moral autonomy
view that a person should be able to determine what is morally right through reasoning
virtue ethics
ethical theory that focuses on the nature of the acting person; Indicates which good or desirable characteristics people should have or develop to be moral
practical wisdom
intellectual virtue that enables one to make the right choice for action
care ethics
ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of relationships, and which holds that the development of morals does not come about by learning general moral principles
