Misc. Material Flashcards
What is Ethical Egoism?
The morality of an act is determined by one’s self interest
What did Thomas Hobbes say about the health of society and self-interest? (Ethical Egoism)
Selfishness can ruin society, so we need to be willing to work together for the common good.
What is Utilitarianism?
The morality of an act is determined by the end result.
What view of morality and ethics did Jeremy Bentham hold to?
Utilitarianism
What view of morality and ethics did John Stuart Mill hold to?
Utilitarianism
What is Deontological Ethics?
Actions are good or bad according to a clear set of rules. (Kant)
What is Virtue Theory Ethics?
Not concerned only about the action of doing right or wrong, but about the person behind the action (Developing into a good person) Aristotle and Plato
What are the four virtues in Virtue Theory Ethics?
Prudence: Ability to make good judgments and decisions.
Justice: Giving each person their due.
Fortitude: Courage and strength in the face of adversity.
Temperance: Moderation and self-control.
What is Aristotle’s Golden Mean?
The best way to live a good life is to find the middle ground between two extremes.
For example, courage is a virtue, but if taken to excess it can become recklessness, and if taken to deficiency it can become cowardice. The golden mean of courage is found somewhere in between these two extremes.
What is Kant’s Categorical Imperative?
we should only act in ways that we would be willing for everyone to act in, and that we should treat all people with respect, as ends in themselves, and not simply as means to our own ends.
