Ethics

Question 1

Define absolutism

Answer 1

moral decisions are related to principles that can be applied universally/ some things are always right or wrong

Question 2

Define relativism

Answer 2

there is not an overarching moral truth/ no two situations are exactly the same

Question 3

Define descriptive ethics

Answer 3

facts about human moral behaviour

Question 4

Define normative ethics

Answer 4

sets out standards or principles by which character or actions can be judged or evaluated (deontological arguments)

Question 5

Define meta-ethics

Answer 5

study of the meaning of moral terms and metaphysical questions

Question 6

Define rational ethics

Answer 6

absolute moral principles that can be known by pure reason

Question 7

Define virtue ethics

Answer 7

examines virtues and qualities

Question 8

Define ethical monotheism

Answer 8

where God dictates what is right and wrong

Question 9

Define ethical naturalism

Answer 9

where human beings share a common human nature from which real and universal moral standards can be deduced, statements like ‘good’ and ‘bad’ are true through observation

Question 10

Define ethical non-naturalism

Answer 10

Goodness can only be known through rational intuition/ instinctive awareness

Question 11

Define synthetic moral realism

Answer 11

not possible to prove what the foundations for moral judgements are