Morality and Justice Flashcards
What is capital Punishment?
The legally authorized killing of someone as a punishment for committing a crime
Capital Punishment Knowledge
- Abolished in the UK in 1968
- PUBLIC executions abolished in the 1860s
- Over 50 countries still have capital punishment
What 2 non-religious groups are you focusing on this year?
-Utilitarianism
-Kantian Ethics
What is Utilitarianism? What is their 2 main focuses?
Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory, meaning that it is the outcome of actions that determines whether the actions were moral or not.
Utilitarian’s main focuses are happiness and consequences.
What is the definition of Utilitarianism that is a quote from Jeremy Bentham himself?
“It is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong.”
Utilitarianism
2 Pros
2 Cons
+ focuses on causing happiness and everyone wants to be happy.
+ Simple theory and easy to understand
-Consequences are difficult to predict and the outcome might not be happiness
-Can justify awful things as long as it makes a majority happy, as long as it is what most people like and want. e.g. Hitler.
What is Kantian Ethics? What is their 2 main focuses?
Kantian Ethics is a non-religious group founded by Immanuel Kant, it is linked to deontology.
Kantian Ethic’s main focusses are means to an end and universal law
What is Deontology?
Deon=duty
Tology= study of
Deontology is the study of actions, and intentions of actions to determine if something is right or wrong.
What is the categorial imperative
A system that everyone can and should use to reason moral laws (maxims) that everyone should follow everywhere it reads as follows:
(Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become universal law)- DO NOT NEED TO MEMORISE OR KNOW
it roughly summarizes to Only do things when you can make it a rule that can be followed at all times by everyone. which means it has to be a universal law
Kantian Ethics
3 pros
4 cons
+ Equality is important and good.
+promotes good morals and encourages to always behave in the same way.
+It feels fair as people are treated individually and not as means to an end ( punished for others actions)
-Some situations call for different/unfair treatment
-Complex to understand
-Universal maxim can prevent good things (ask for homeless example)
-Can only take it so far, how specific can you go (ask for homeless example)
What is an environmental cause of crime?
This is when the environment you spend time in or have previously spent time in can effect the decisions you make, and cause you to commit crime
What are the four environmental causes of crime?
-Poverty
-Unemployment
-Physical environment
-Peer pressure
What is poverty and how does it cause crime?
-Living without basic needs can lead to stealing food or other essentials
-In the UK welfare system prevents the necessity for stealing but sometimes when times are tough it might seem there are no options.
- Some people might also steal to make money through selling stolen items.
what is unemployment and how does it cause crime?
-If people have little money and a lot of time on their hands due to not having a job, they may turn to crime to make money for basics and bring excitement to their lives.
What is physical environment and how does it cause crime?
-Responsible behavior may not be encouraged if someone is living in environments that are unpleasant for a desire to get better things
- also if they are surrounded by crime it might seem like a normal thing to do to make money.
What is peer pressure/gang culture and how does it cause crime?
-If those around you are committing criminal acts it can be hard to resist and push back to avoid this.
-Gang culture can also cultivate criminal activity as gangs will always go further than each other to ‘one up’ each other or win.
