ethics exam Flashcards
What is philosophy and its major branches?
(love of wisdom) “The investigation of ultimate questions and foundational principles in critical fields of thought.”
Metaphysics–study of reality
Epistemology–study of knowledge and belief
Logic–study of sound reasoning and argumentation
Ethics–study of right and wrong
Aesthetics–study of art and beauty
My Elephant Likes Eating Apples
Ethics
using one’s mind, logic, and reasoning to assess something
morals
mores-cuton/habit Lat.
Amoral
relating to the person doing reflection-lacking or not having moral sense
nonmoral
topic or issue outside the topic of morals or ethics
values
sense of praise worthy ideals i.e. virtues
obligations and norms
things we ought to do 9obligation), rules or guidelines for action (norms)
motivations
internal basis for action, doing something
goal
target or the purpose, end desire
basic approaches to Ethics
Descriptive-discussing what people actually do
Prescriptive-what people should be doing
Meta-ethics–examines the foundational concepts and language
axeology
study of values (aesthetics and ehtics are both under that umbrella)
etiquette
social customs and manners
religion
a system of beliefs resulting in a way of life and worship
morality come from
OBJECTIVE
morality is embodied in the structure in nature and/or the nature of humans
parts of objective
Natural Law Teheory-comes from God and is objectively shown thorugh nature and humans
Divine Command Theory-there are revealed norms from God through His words
where does morality come from
SUBJECTIVE
morality is based on human perceptions
parts of subjective
Individualism-morality is based upon personal interests-everybody has a different view
Humanitarianism-morality arises from social relationships, the networking of human needs and interests
Nihillism
there are no moral values or norms. They simply do not exist
Lat. “nothing/none”
individual relativism
the morality of a choice or act depends on one’s personal views and varies accordingly
Cultural relativism
the morality of a choice or act depends on one’s society or culture and varies accordingly
Moral absolutism
there are objective moral norms that are universally valid
moral conflict
a tension in a fallen world between different norms and something that we did not foresee and is beyond our control
non conflicting absolutism
if you really understood the context and the norms, there really is no true tension
conflicting absolutism
there really are conflicting norms. So you need to keep the higher norm and are guilty of the lower norm
Graded absolutism (hierarchicalism)
there are true tensions; you obey the higher norm; you’re exempt from the lower norm
Consequentialism
the morality of a choice or action is based upon its results. Forms are utilitarianism and egoism
Egoism
relates to the results for the individual making the ethical decisions
Forms of egoism
Psychological Egoism (descriptive)–humans always act in their perceived self interest
Ethical Egoism (prescriptive)–everyone ought to act in his own self interest
Hedonism
orientation towards pleasure/following your desires
Utilitarianism
a form of consequentialism,–the greatest good for the greatest number of people
forms of utilitarianism
Act Utillitarianism–everyone should perform that deed which brings about the greatest good for the greatest number of people
Rule Utilitarianism–Everyone should follow the principle that brings about the greatest good for the greatest number of people1
Non-Consequentialism
the ethics or morality is not based on its results
Intuitionism
The immediate grasping of self-evident ethical truth
Deontological
Duty ethics
Categorical Imperative–only act on a rule you can will to be a universal law
Practical imperative–never use a human as a means to an end
Duty Ethics
you need to do your duty no matter the consequences (Divine Command Theory and another is based on human reasoning coming up with the norms through logic and reasoning)
Reason and Good Will
based upon reason. The only good motivation is one that comes out of goodwill and duty
Motivation of Duty
to be completely ethical, the action must be done, duty for duty’s sake. It’s not about the consequence
Virtue Ethics
you do the right thing over and over again so much that it becomes habit and “muscle memory.” You don’t have to think details, it just happens
Virtue
moral excellence or ideal quality flowing from the disposition of character
Historical supporters of virtue ethics
Aristotle (fulfilling purpose or arete in the Geek city state)
Thomas Aquinas (cardinal and theological virtues)
Alister Macentire (you need virtues to succeed)
The Golden Mean
(Aristotle)
Virtues are moderations between excess and deficiency
Views of Rewards
“something given for worthy behavior, merit, or ability”
Distributive justice-how to fairly dispense goods or rewards
Egalitarian-equal distribution of reward
Need-based-dependant upon necesssities
Effort-based-dependent upon one’s exertion
Merit-based–dependant upon previous accomplishment, character, or ability
Incentive-based–to encourage or stimulate future effort
Views of punishment
Retribution–to retaliate for past crime “eye for eye, etc.”
Prevention-1. protection-to safeguard society from this criminal 2. Deterrence-to cause others to reconsider before committing a similar crime
Restitution-to compensate the victim of the crime
Rehabilitation-to reform the criminal so they don’t do it again
Recidivism-return to crime
definition and guides of punishment
“The act of penalizing someone for a crime, fault, or misbehavior”
-it must be given o done for something
-it must include unpleasantness
-it should be legally administered
-it must be imposed by the proper authority
