Ethical Thought Key Terms

Question 1

Ethics

Answer 1

Derived from the greek word ‘ethike’ meaning habit or behaviour and closely related to the word ethos. It is a study of the framework of guiding ethical principles that direct an action.

Question 2

Meta-ethics

Answer 2

The debates that arise when questioning the nature of ethics.

Question 3

Moral

Answer 3

Term used to describe ethical behaviour

Question 4

Normative Ethics

Answer 4

The debates that arise when ethical theories are considered.

Question 5

Absolutist

Answer 5

An ethical system that believes there exists a standard of right and wrong that is fully and totally binding on all human beings

Question 6

Subjective

Answer 6

A theory that is dependent on a personal view.

Question 7

Objective

Answer 7

A theory that is independent of personal view.

Question 8

Relativist

Answer 8

An ethical system that believes there is no absolute right or wrong.

Question 9

Arete

Answer 9

A Greek term meaning virtue

Question 10

Ethos

Answer 10

A greek word used by Aristotle for character of a person.

Question 11

Hexis

Answer 11

A Greek word used by Aristotle for a person’s manner of behaviour.

Question 12

Ethical Egoism

Answer 12

The normative view that holds that all actions ought to be motivated by self-interest.

Question 13

Psychological Egoism

Answer 13

The descriptive view that all human action is motivated by self-interest.

Question 14

Einzige

Answer 14

Ego

Question 15

Eigenheit

Answer 15

ownness, the idea of mastering oneself.

Question 16

Einzig

Answer 16

uniqueness, the freedom from all impositions leaving pure individuality.