Ethics (key concepts) 💛

Question 1

what does ‘moral’ mean?

Answer 1

actions or persons that are judged to be good or right according the a code of ethics.

Question 2

what do ‘immoral’ mean?

Answer 2

actions or persons that are judged to be bad or wrong according to a code of ethics.

Question 3

what does ‘altruism’ mean?

Answer 3

selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Question 4

what does ‘egoism’ mean?

Answer 4

a theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality.

Question 5

what are moral ‘pull’ reasons?

Answer 5

these highlight the ADVANTAGES of being moral.

Question 6

give 2 examples of moral ‘pull’ reasons.

Answer 6

1. feeling good about yourself after being moral/looking good to others.
2. the possibility of a good afterlife (heaven).

Question 7

what are moral ‘push’ reasons?

Answer 7

these focus on the DISADVANTAGES of NOT behaving morally.
it is this fear that drives people to do the right thing.

Question 8

give 2 examples of moral ‘push’ reasons.

Answer 8

1. punishments e.g. detentions.
2. the disapproval of others, maybe resulting in a loss of friends.

Question 9

what is absolute morality?

Answer 9

• there are universal and unchanging moral rules that apply in all cultures at all times.
• acts that break these moral rules are wrong in themselves (intrinsically) regardless of the circumstances of consequences of those acts.

Question 10

give 2 examples of absolute morality.

Answer 10

• 10 commandments
• UN declaration of human rights

Question 11

what is relative reality?

Answer 11

• there are NO universal and objective moral rules that apply in all cultures at all times.
• different cultures have different moral rules, so it makes sense to say that ‘good’ refers to the things that a particular group of people approve of.

Question 12

give an example of relative morality.

Answer 12

polygamy.

Question 13

what is consequentialist reasoning?

Answer 13

making moral decisions based on the consequences of an action, rather than an action conforming to a pre-established rule or duty.

Question 14

give an example of consequentialist reasoning?

Answer 14

if an action is good because the consequences are better, and, (in this case) pulling the lever will lead to better consequences, then it is morally right to pull the lever.

Question 15

which type of reasoning fits in with relative morality?

Answer 15

consequentialist reasoning.

Question 16

what is deontological reasoning?

Answer 16

• where rules are accepted as good
• acts are judged right or otherwise according to their conformity of those rules.

Question 17

what is an example of deontological reasoning?

Answer 17

if we accept that killing innocent people is wrong and that pulling the lever would result in us killing an innocent person, then it is wrong to pull the lever, regardless of whether the consequences would be better.