Definitions Flashcards
Normative ethics
Branch of ethics concerned with what is morally right or wrong
Applied ethics
Applies theories of normative ethics to real life situations
Meta ethics
Looks at what right or wrong actually means
Absolutism
Moral truths are fixed and are the same for everybody at every time
Relativism
Moral truth varies depending on circumstance, culture or religion
Teleological
Right and wrong are determined by the consequences of an action
Deontological
Right and wrong are concerned with the duty or the action itself
Subjective
Right and wrong are a matter of personal opinion or viewpoint
Objective
Moral facts are the case regardless of people’s opinions
Phronesis
Practical reason/using reason
Eudaimonia
Universal flourishing
Telos
Purpose or end goal
Efficient cause (Aristotle)
Process of achieving goal
Final cause (Aristotle)
Telos/goal
Eternal law
The principles by which god made and controls the universe and which are only fully known to god
Divine law
The law of god revealed in the Bible, particularly in the Ten Commandments and the sermon on the mount
Natural law
The moral law of god within human nature that is discoverable through use of reason
Human law
The laws of nations - everyday rules that govern our lives
Primary precept
The general rules that human beings are inclined to follow - worship god, live in an ordered society, reproduce, educate and preserve life
Secondary precept
The practical application of the primary precepts in specific areas
Vincible ignorance
A lack of knowledge for which a person is responsible
Invincible ignorance
A lack of knowledge for which a person isn’t responsible
Synderesis rule
Good is to be done and pursued, and evil is to be avoided
Apparent good
Something we think is good, but in reality doesn’t fit the perfect human ideal
Doctrine of double effect
A principle whereby some actions produce two results, one good and one bad. In certain circumstances- providing that there is no bad intention- it would be right to do a good action even though the consequences would be bad
Interior act
What we choose to do (occurs in mind)
Exterior act
Physical action (occurs outside of mind)
