Ethical theories Flashcards
Who originally thought of natural moral law
Aristotle
What was Aristotle’s idea that all humans want to achieve
Eudaimonia - ultimate fulfilment
What type of theory is NML and what is this
Deontological - looks at the intention of the action
How did Aquinas adapt Aristotle’s view
He said that our telos is to fulfil the will of God and we do this through the bible and nature
What are the 4 divisions of law stated by Aquinas
Eternal law - law from God
Divine law - Bible
NML - human reason
Human law
What is the sinderesis rule
Do Good : Avoid Evil
Quote from St Paul about NML
“For when the Gentiles, which have not the law do by nature the things contained in the law”
What are Aquinas primary precepts
Fundamental rules found in nature that can never be broken
- To reproduce
- To preserve life
- To educate
- To create an ordered society
- To worship
What type of rules are the primary precepts
Teleological
What does Aquinas believe about reason
It is god-given and allows us to make our own judgements
What is the beatific vision
What Aquinas said humanity should want to achieve
- ultimate self-communication of God to humanity
What are secondary precepts and give examples
Actions you should do/not do to make the primary precepts occur (commands)
Go to school - education
No homosexuality - reproduction
No artificial contraception - reproduction
What are real and apparent goods
Real = when you believe you’re doing something good and it is kind with reason Apparent = when you believe you’re doing something good but it is contrary to reason and so it is not good
What are Aquinas’ cardinal virtues and theological virtues
Virtues that allow beatific vision to be fulfilled
Cardinal:
- Prudence
- Justice
- Courage
- Self-control
Theological (Christian):
- Faith
- Hope
- Love
What is the doctrine of double effect
Actions have 2 consequences and an action is morally okay if your intended outcome is good, there will be a bad side effect however. As long as this is just a secondary effect, it is okay.
- eg self defence (when killing someone) is not unlawful as long as the intention is to preserve life
Rules:
- action must be good
- bad effect must not be the means by which the good effect is achieved
- had to be the right intention
- good effect must outweigh the bad effect
What is proportionalism
The idea that it is right to ignore NML in situations where there is a need for it.
- eg Aquinas says stealing is okay is there is starving man that will die if he has no food.
Evaluation of NML
+ it is universal
+ sets firm boundaries
+ realistic (proportionalism)
+ develops good moral character
- culturally relative
- theistic approach that doesn’t suit all
- causes mass pain due to contraception bans etc
Who came up with situation ethics
Fletcher
What type of theory is situation ethics
Teleological
What two ideologies did fletcher reject
Antinomianism - no moral rules
Legalism - absolute rules never to be broken
Why is situation ethics teleological
Because it is concerned with if the outcome demonstrates agape
What are fletchers 4 presuppositions
Pragmatism - decisions should work to maximise love
Relativism - situations assed on how best they demonstrate love
Positivism - god is love due to faith
Personalism - people are at the centre
What are fletchers 6 propositions
- Love only is always good
- Love replaces the law
- Love and justice are the same
- Love is not liking
- Love justifies the means
- Love decides in the moment
Evaluation of situation ethics
+ doesn’t reject good rules to follow but allows for room to change
+ fit for modern age
+ based off life of Jesus
+ promotes autonomy
+ puts people first
- possibly too much responsibility on the individual
- no consensus on what the most loving action is
- can never know the outcome before hand
Who came up with virtue ethics
Aristotle
What type of theory is virtue ethics
Teleological
What is a virtue
A character trait which is valued
What is a vice
A characteristic which works against it opposing virtue
What did Aristotle say the aim of life is
To reach eudiamonia
What is the function argument
Everything has an ‘ergon’ (role) and humans is to use moral virtues to reach eudaimonia
What is the doctrine of the mean
We should use the correct amount of them to make decisions and not make them turn into vices. Mean is what we want to achieve.
eg
Cowardice is a deficiency of bravery (vice)
Bravery should be the aim (virtue)
Bravado is an excess of bravery (vice)
What did Aristotle day about the soul
It’s the form of a body. Each type of thing fulfils their function by doing work that is characterised by their soul.
Plants = vegetative - nutrition + growth Animals = sensitive - nutrition + growth, movement, sense perception, low-level thought Humans = rational - nutrition + growth, movement, sense perception, reason
What is phronimos
A man of practical wisdom and good judge of ethical matters
What type of actions are the only ones that can be virtuous according to Aristotle
Voluntary ones.
Describe theoria
It is the highest thing in us, intelligence.
We use to make scientific discoveries and so we can contemplate.
Contemplation is intrinsic and contributes to our ultimate happiness.
What does a person with practical wisdom know
That failure is okay
That people need mentoring
That wisdom is made
How to use their moral skills for the right aim
Evaluation of virtue ethics
\+ holistic and human centred \+ it is flexible with the situation \+ it allows for failure \+ intuitive - culturally relativism - circular (how does someone become virtuous? By acting virtuously) - doesn’t work with the law -
