Introduction to concepts in moral philosophy Flashcards
the agent
virtue ethics
the action
deontology
the consequences
teleology
deontology focuses on
rules
teleology focuses on
the end of consequences
virtue focuses on
who i should be
there is no absolute, unchanging right or wrong.
relativism
ethics is relative to one’s culture
cultural relativism
ethics is relative to one’s own personal preferences
moral subjectivism
Problems with relativism (3)
a. Relativism provides no way to arbitrate between competing value claims.
b. Relativism cannot morally evaluate any clearly oppressive practice, culture, or tyrant.
c. The central premise of relativism—that is, that moral absolutes do not exist—is self-defeating.
maintains that all ethical statements are simply value judgments or expressions of emotion.
emotivism
Problems with emotivism
a. Emotivism fails its own test of meaning (it is self-defeating).
b. The theory of language underlying emotivism was severally critiqued in the second half of the 20th century.
Emovitism maintains that
only statements that are self-evident and verifiable by sense experience are meaningful.
“categorical imperative.” Kant
whenever we act, our action should be such that we would not mind a universal law enforcing or permitting that action.
whenever we act, our action should be such that we would not mind a universal law enforcing or permitting that action.
“categorical imperative.” Kant
Deontology as an approach to Christian ethics (2)
- God gives laws
2. emphasizes scripture, tradition, and faithfulness to gospel
Theological Problems with deontology (2)
(1) An over-emphasis on obeying the law can easily lead to legalism.
(2) The commands of God are part of a larger concern in scripture—being in proper relationship with God and others.
Philosophical Problems with deontology (2)
(1) Law does not cover many areas of our decision making.
2) Laws can conflict. Here we must adjudicate between competing laws. (NAZIS
