Introduction to Ethics Flashcards
Ansolutionism
- One set of moral rules.
- Rules common to everyone.
- Rules unlikely to change over time.
- Dogmatic
Ethics
The philosophical study of morality or the study of right action
Deontological
- Non-consequentialist theory.
- Moral right or wrong is not depended on the outcome
- The means are more important than the ends
level 3.
Stage 5 of Kohlberg’s CMD theory
(Cognitive Moral Development)
Ghandi
Social contract and Individual rights
Law should serve society - just because the law say it’s wrong it may not be.
Level 3.
Stage 6 of Kohlberg’s CMD theory
(Cognitive Moral Development)
Hipi
Universal ethical principles.
- Free from external influences just what is right.
- Free from the fear of impediments
level 3. of Kohlberg’s CMD theory
Cognitive Moral Development
‘WHAT’S RIGHT’
Dogmatic
Absolute truths exist
Pragmatic
There are no absolute truths
Rather the truth is flexible and may apply differently for different situations.
level 2. of Kohlberg’s CMD theory
Cognitive Moral Development
conformity
Level 2.
Stage 3 of Kohlberg’s CMD theory
(Cognitive Moral Development)
Interpersonal accord conformity
- Copy others; folow the crowd; don’t rock the boat; comply with expectations
Level 2.
Stage 4 of Kohlberg’s CMD theory
(Cognitive Moral Development)
Social accord and systems maintenance
- Must follow rules for the good of society
level 1. of Kohlberg’s CMD theory
Cognitive Moral Development
Self
Level 1.
Stage 1 of Kohlberg’s CMD theory
(Cognitive Moral Development)
Obedience and punishment
- Chidlike obedience and avoiding of punishments
Level 1.
Stage 2 of Kohlberg’s CMD theory
(Cognitive Moral Development)
Instrumental purpose and exchange
- Make decisions to get rewarded
Deontological perspective
The fact that it may cause favorable outcomes in some situations does not make it ethically right.
the deontological view is that an act is right or wrong in itself and does not depend upon any other considerations.
- If abortion is wrong in one situation than it is wrong for all situations
Why: Metaethics
Agapē love
Concerned with the fundamental questions about the nature of ethical theory itself
Are: normative Ethics
Concerned with what makes actions right or wrong, good or bad, virtuous or vicious
How: Practical ethics
Concerned with practical moral dilemmas actually faced by people
- Looks at trying to apply the principles of ethics
Moral Realism 1. Moral Absolutism
There are absolute standards against which moral questions can be judged
Moral Realism 2. Moral Relativism
More than one positions on a given topic can be correct
Descriptive cultural relativism
People’s moral beliefs differ from culture to culture
Normative cultural relativism
It’s not your belief, but moral facts themselves that differ from culture to culture
Moral Antirealism
There are no moral facts
Moral Subjectivism
Moral statements can be true or false, right or wrong - but they refer only to people’s attitudes, rather than their actions.
Divine command theory
The belief that what’s moral, and what’s immoral is commanded by the Divine.
It also solves the grounding problem.
Every ethical system needs some kind of foundation, and with the Divine command theory, it’s God.
The Euthyphro problem
- Are actions right because God commands them?
2. Are the right actions commanded by God because they are right?
The basic Goods
- Life
- Reproduction.
- Educate one’s offsprings
- Seek God
- Live in society
- Avoid offences
- Shun ignorance
Categorical Imperatives
Commands ou must follow. Regardless of your desires. Moral obligations are derived from pure reason.
The natural law theory
According to the natural law theory, the moral standards that govern my behavior objectively derive from the nature of human beings, entwined with the nature of the world. Furthermore, the natural law theory enables my intuition to view my purpose as the definition of who I am and the influencer of what I am ought to accomplish during my time on earth
What is an ethical issue?
An ethical issue usually involves a conflict between values or principles that guide our perceptions of what is right and wrong.
What does ethics involve?
- In an ethical conversation, we move from description to analyzing the issue
Ethics involves not just describing a conflict but also analyzing it breaking it down really understanding where the disagreements take place and really then trying to figure out if it’s possible to move beyond mere disagreement.
Morality
- Morality is all about preferences
Morality is all about preferences, it is a set of rules that make society functional and more pleasant to live in. Therefore, moral rules are merely formed on common grounds since every member of the human race has a moral compass.
Morality for the future
- Think about what works right now in the society that we have today instead of thinking about old moral rules that worked in the past
The significance of ethical education in daily life.
- one who cares and thinks deeply about matters of right and wrong and how we can choose ethically better as opposed to ethically problematic courses of action in life
What is ethics?
Ethics is a sustained analyzation of how we are ought to act. Dialogue of right action.
The purpose of Ethics
- The goal of ethics is not simply to know what is right and wrong but to do what is right.
- The goal is to become a just person.
- Ethics aims to move towards right action.
- Ethics is unavoidable – reflection may not be conscious.
- Ethics reflection aims towards action
- One studies ethics with the aim of living well
Ethical questions
- We have to interrupt our action to adequately assess it
- What is the origin of moaral life?
2. How should we talk about moral life?
The faults with The command God theory
- Contentiousness of piety.
- Perspectivism
- Competition among gods
- The Euthyphro question
What is a pluralist society?
A pluralistic society is a diverse one, where the people in it believe all kinds of different things and tolerate each other’s beliefs even when they don’t match their own. A pluralistic society tends to form moral values from preferences that adhere to most members of the society, in accordance with their shared faith as a nation.
Normative standards
are set rules that are officially broadcasted for members of society to follow.
Social norms
Social norms are people’s perceptions of what is commonly done in specific situations.
‘World View’ in ethics
‘World View’ in ethics is the consciousness that we are all equally inhabitants of the Earth. An individual who supports the ‘World view’ will make decisions based on its benefits to the world as a whole.
Submitted
What things can form the basis of morality?
Secular and religious laws are the basis of morality.
Explain the concept of a ‘moral compass’.
The concept of a moral compass is the ability to naturally judge what is right and wrong.
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Utilitarianism also called consequentialism
is concerned with consequences of actions, not the actions themselves. Those who apply this method to ethical decision making start with what things are good and then move to consider which actions will achieve that good to the greatest degree. This may involve actions that are questionable, even immoral, yet good is the outcome.
Utilitarianism also called consequentialism
is concerned with the consequences of actions, not the actions themselves. Those who apply this method to ethical decision making start with what things are good and then move to consider which actions will achieve that good to the greatest degree. This may involve actions that are questionable, even immoral, yet the good is the outcome.
In your own words explain what deontology is.
The deontological view is that an act is right or wrong in itself and does not depend upon any other considerations. A person who views life with a deontological mindset believes that it is not ethically right for similar situations to be regarded as good or bad to a different degree. For instance, if murder is regarded as immoral conduct by society, then it is not ethically right for the government to enforce capital punishment. Disregard it once, disregard it at all times!
Explain in your own words what Kant means here.
Key
This statement echos the ethical formula of humanity. This formulation states that we should never act in such a way that we treat humanity, whether in ourselves or in others, as a means only but always as an end in itself.
Kant means that we should not use a person for our own benefits, without no thought to the interest or benefit to the person you are using. For example, a teacher should not get their students to research a specific topic if it isn’t going to benefit or enhance the student’s understanding of the topic.
outcome Ethics
Is concerned with the consequences of actions, not the actions themselves. This may involve actions that are questionable, even immoral, yet the good is the outcome.
What are religious ethics?
Religious ethics concerns teachings and practices of what is right or wrong, good or bad, virtuous or vicious, from a religious point of view. The current role of religion in ethics is limited to the philosophy of religion. That is, religion no longer has any power in dictating moral issues outside of its environment.
What are religious ethics based on?
Religious ethics is based on the idea that God (or some deity) reveals insights about life and its true meaning. Similar to one religion to the next, these fundamental principles flow from the core beliefs and ancient wisdom of religion, as well as its teachers and traditions.
