Ethics Lecture Flashcards
What is ethics?
The branch of philosophy that explores what ought to be decent and appropriate human behaviour
What are facts?
Descriptive or explanatory
What are values?
Normative, prescriptive and evaluative
What are the three types of ethics?
Normative, descriptive, applied
What does normative ethics entail?
Studies ethical action. Focuses on theorising how we ought to behave, what are right and wrong actions.
What is utilitarianism and who came up with it?
The focus is on the consequences of our actions. Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham (18th & 19th C)
What are the main concepts and critiques of consequentialism?
Concepts: utility of actions, good intention, greatest good for the greatest number
Critiques: unintended consequences with no good outcomes, what about the ones who are not included?
What is deontological ethics and who came up with it?
We have a duty to behave in a way that is aligned with our rationality and that; leads to universalisable actions, and is based on humanist principles.
Kant (18th C)
What are the main concepts and critiques of deontological ethics?
Concepts: categorical imperatives, duty
Critiques: removes agency, duty supersedes emotions, there could be conflicting duties
What is virtue ethics and who came up with it?
Ethical behaviour results from developing good character through the development of virtues.
Aristotle (380 BC)
What are the main critiques of virtue ethics?
What virtues should we be developing? Virtuous character may not lead to good actions. Virtues could be conflicting across different situations.
What is descriptive ethics?
Studies ethical beliefs. Focuses on investigating moral beliefs and what motivates people to act ethically.
What is applied ethics?
Studies how ethics can be applied to various beliefs. Focuses on applying ethical theories and principles to particular domains.
What is non-anthropocentric ethics?
Ethics beyond the impact of humanity; environment, animals
