Ethical Theories Exam Review

Question 1

The theory that the center of value is the outcome or consequences of the act; if the consequences are on balance positive, then the action is right; if negative, then wrong

Answer 1

Teleological Ethics (Consequentialism)

Question 2

This states that the rightness or wrongness of an act is determined by the goodness or badness of the results that follow from it

Answer 2

Consequentialist Principle

Question 3

This states that the only thing that is good in itself is some specific type of state (Ex. pleasure, happiness, warfare)

Answer 3

Utility Principle

Question 4

This views pleasure as the sole good and pain as the only evil

Answer 4

Hedonistic Utilitarianism

Question 5

The utilitarian view that we should tell the consequences of actions according to seven aspects of a pleasurable or painful experience

Answer 5

Hedonic Calculus

Question 6

A type of utilitarian view maintaining that happiness consists of higher order pleasures (Ex. intellectual, aesthetic, social enjoyments)

Answer 6

Eudaimonistic Utilitarianism

Question 7

Happiness

Answer 7

Eudaimonia

Question 8

The utilitarian view that an act is right if and only if it results in as much good as any available alternative

Answer 8

Act-Utilitarianism

Question 9

The utilitarian view that an act is right if and only if it is required by a rule that is itself a member of a set of rules whose acceptance would lead to greater utility for society than any available alternative

Answer 9

Rule-Utilitarianism

Question 10

The theory that reason can tell us how the world is, independent of experience

Answer 10

Rationalism

Question 11

The theory that we have no innate ideas and that all knowledge comes from experience

Answer 11

Empiricism

Question 12

The theory that humans have a natural faculty that gives us an intuitive awareness of morality

Answer 12

Intuitionism

Question 13

The theory that we must consult our moral intuition or conscience in every situation to discover the morally right thing to do

Answer 13

Act-Intuitionism

Question 14

The intuitionist view that we must decide what is right or wrong in each situation by consulting moral rules that we receive through intuition

Answer 14

Rule-Intuitionism

Question 15

The non-moral principle that takes the form “If you want A, then do B”

Answer 15

Hypothetical Imperative

Question 16

A moral imperative that is unqualified and does not depend on one’s desires, the general statement of which is “Act only according to the maxim by which you can at the same time will that it would become a universal law”

Answer 16

Categorical Imperative

Question 17

Act as though the maxim of your action were by your will to become a universal law of nature

Answer 17

Principle of the Law of Nature

Question 18

So act as to treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of any other, in every case as an end and never as merely a means

Answer 18

Principle of Ends

Question 19

So act that your will can regard itself at the same time as making universal law through its maxims

Answer 19

Principle of Autonomy

Question 20

The view that moral principles must apply to all people who are in a relevantly similar situation

Answer 20

Universalizability 

Question 21

A duty that is tentatively binding on us until one duty conflicts with another

Answer 21

Prima Facie Duty

Question 22

The stronger of two conflicting duties that overrides a weaker one

Answer 22

Actual Duty

Question 23

In this person‘s classic work on the virtues, Nicomachean Ethics, he argues that our aim in life is to achieve a state of well-being or the good life

“ We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit”

Answer 23

Aristotle

Question 24

A trained behavioral disposition that results in a habitual act of moral goodness

Answer 24

Virtue

Question 25

A trained behavioral disposition that results in a habitual act of moral wrongness

Answer 25

Vice

Question 26

Honesty, benevolence, non-malevolence, fairness, kindness, consciousness, gratitude

Answer 26

Moral Virtues

Question 27

Courage, optimism, rationality, self-control, patience, endurance, industry, musical talent, cleanliness, wit

Answer 27

Non-moral Virtues

Question 28

According to this, the morally virtuous life consists in living in moderation. By this, Aristotle means that the virtues are at a middleground between excess and deficiency

Answer 28

Golden Mean

Question 29

The view that we should acquire good character traits, not simply act according to moral rules, and morality involves being a virtuous person

Answer 29

Virtue-based Theories

Question 30

This view assigns the strongest moral weight to virtues; the moral rules that we have are just extracted from and reflect our virtues

The practical problem with this is it provides no guidance on how to resolve an ethical dilemma

Answer 30

Pure Virtue-based Ethics

Question 31

This concerns how we know which habits and emotions constitute genuine virtues. Who is the virtuous person?

Answer 31

Epistemological Problem 

Question 32

Pure virtue based ethics provides no guidance on how to resolve an ethical dilemma

Answer 32

Practical Problem

Question 33

The view that we should act properly by following moral rules, and we judge people based on how they act, not on whether they are virtuous people

Answer 33

Action-based Theory

Question 34

The theory that both action-based and virtue-based models are necessary for an adequate or complete system

Answer 34

Pluralistic Ethics

Question 35

Men and women are psychologically different, only men are capable, patriarchal society, women should be faithful obedient and subservient, in capable of reaching full extent of reasoning

Answer 35

Criticisms of Traditional Ethics

Question 36

Involves particular relationships with particular people in particular contexts

Answer 36

Moral Particularism

Question 37

Women see their personal identities as deeply interconnected with other people. They focus on specific circumstances surrounding moral situations women see morality within the context of close personal relationships and the development of intimate emotional connections they see morality as a function of vulnerability and dependency

Answer 37

Ethics of Care

Question 38

Focus too much on self interest, focus too much on the need of others, focusing on both as a relational unit

Answer 38

Carol Gilligan

Question 39

all relationships involve two parties; the cared-for and one -caring

For one-caring; caring about and caring for

Answer 39

Nel Noddings