Key Terms for Ethics

Question 1

What is ‘absolute ethics’

Answer 1

An ethical theory such as Kantianism which argues that X should always be done, regardless of circumstance.

Question 2

What is ‘act utilitarianism’

Answer 2

Argues that one should always perform that individual act which will lead to the greatest balance of good over evil. Main supporter is Jeremy Bentham

Question 3

What is ‘A posteriori’

Answer 3

That which can be known to be true only through sense experience; directly or indirectly

Question 4

What is ‘A priori’

Answer 4

That which can be knowable without reference or sense experience. Does NOT mean innate

Question 5

What is ‘Categorical Imperative’

Answer 5

Kant’s guide to duty which is morally obligatory, hence categorical

Question 6

What is ‘Cognitive Language’

Answer 6

Language about which is appropriate to ask whether it is true or false. Cognitive ≠ true

Question 7

What is Conscience

Answer 7

The faculty said to enable us to make moral decisions, and to judge our own and the other actions of people; called ‘innate’ or the ‘Voice of God’ Aquinas - the species of practical reason

Question 8

What is Deontological Ethics

Answer 8

Any ethical theory which argues that the rightness of an act lies in doing the right thing because it is the right thing itself, regardless of any consequence

Question 9

What is Determinism

Answer 9

Any theory which holds that events are the direct effects of previous causes without intervention of free choice

Question 10

What is Emotivism

Answer 10

The theory advanced principally by Logical Positivisits that ethical sentences merely evince emotions and cannot be justified. Named the ‘Killing-boo!’ theory by Winston Barnes.

Question 11

What is ‘Ethical Naturalism’

Answer 11

A meta-ethical theory which holds that ‘good’ is a synonym for a purely natural quality, such as pleasure

Question 12

What is ‘Ethics of Duty’

Answer 12

The belief that right living means always performing one’s rationally determined duty. Often used to describe Kantian ethics.

Question 13

What is Eudaimonia

Answer 13

The goal of Aristotle’s virtue ethics. Often translated as ‘flourishing’ or ‘happiness’

Question 14

What is ‘Falsification’

Answer 14

Devised by Karl Popper, a criterion of demarcation between the scientific and non-scientific. Argues that science advances by proving theories false and making better ones

Question 15

What is Hedonic Calculus

Answer 15

Bentham’s attempt to construct a system, which would determine on a strict utilitarian principles, precisely the right action to take in any circumstance which arises. Experiment failed.

Question 16

What is ‘Hypothetical Imperative’

Answer 16

Kant contrasts this with the categorical imperative. The latter is obligatory, the hypothetical is not. Ie. the steps you need to take to go to university is needed, but there’s no obligation to go.

Question 17

What is ‘Intuitionism’

Answer 17

The ethical theory, associated with G.E Moore, that one simply intuits the good. It is a category of mind

Question 18

What are ‘Meta Ethics’

Answer 18

Considers the meaning and justification of ethics; Normative ethics explore how we should live whilst meta considers the meaning of ‘good’ and ‘right’

Question 19

What is ‘Moral Responsibility‘

Answer 19

The idea that persons are responsible for their actions, except in the case of immaturity or mental illness, and are thus open to praise or blame

Question 20

What is ‘Natural Law’

Answer 20

‘Right reason in accordance with nature’ This believes that by reason alone we can determine which actions are good or bad for human flourishing

Question 21

What is ‘Negative Utilitarianism’

Answer 21

Instead of seeking to maximise pleasure, this seeks to minimise suffering. Peter Singer is a major advocate.

Question 22

What is ‘Non-Cognitive Language’

Answer 22

Language about which it is inappropriate to ask whether it is true or false. This includes things such as prayers, curses, poetry etc.

Question 23

What is ‘Normative Ethics’

Answer 23

Ethical theories which inform people how they should act

Question 24

What is ‘Phenomenon’

Answer 24

That which is presented to us in senses experience. Kant argues that we can never know the world as it is, only as it is presented through sense experience

Question 25

What is ‘Preference Utilitarianism’

Answer 25

Adopted by John Stuart + Peter Singer, argues that we should seek always the good we would rationally prefer rather than simply our selfish desires

Question 26

What is ‘Prescriptivism’

Answer 26

Developed by R.M Hare. Argues that ethics norms should be seen not verifiable propositions but prescriptions for behaviour. They are this open to logical analysis for their consistency with other prescriptions

Question 27

What is ‘Principle of Universalisation’

Answer 27

AKA ‘First fork of the categorical imperative’ (Kant) It argues that we should act only on that maxim which we can at the same time will to be universal law

Question 28

What is ‘Principle of Utility’

Answer 28

Holds that we should so act as to seek the greatest balance of good over evil, and that this should be the sole guide to action. Jeremy Bentham modified the principle as ‘greatest good of the greatest number’, others rejected this modification as it smuggles in a controversial second principle of justice.

Question 29

What are ‘Relativist Ethics’

Answer 29

That there are no moral absolutes and every judgement is relative to such things as culture and circumstance. NOT situation ethics which believes in the moral absolute of always doing the loving thing (Fletcher) or requires that one must in every circumstance will what is right (Temple)

Question 30

What is ‘Rule Utilitarianism’

Answer 30

Argues that we should always follow the rule general adherence to which will lead to the greatest balance of good over evil. John Stuart Mill supported this.

Question 31

What is ‘Subjectivism’

Answer 31

The ethical view that the right-making feature of an ethical utterance is that I have chosen it with no other criteria. Found especially in the views of existentialists, especially Jean-Paul Sartre.

Question 32

What are ‘Teleogoical Ethics’

Answer 32

Any ethical theory - such as Utilitarianism - which argues the goodness or badness of an action according to its consequences

Question 33

What is ‘Summum Bonum’

Answer 33

Term used by Kant to indicate a (post-mortem) state combining the highest virtue with the highest happiness

Question 34

What is ‘Utilitarianism’

Answer 34

A consequentialist ethical philosophy which attempts to resolve the issue of dilemma in choices by offering the single principle that we should seek always the greatest balance of good over evil

Question 35

What is ‘Verification’

Answer 35

Devised by the Vienna Circle, argues that any proposition which is not a tautology or not empirically verifiable is meaningless.