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Alevel Ethics > Normative ethical Theories > Flashcards

Normative ethical Theories Flashcards

Deontology, character, Teleology

1
Q

What is normative ethics?

A

An examination of right and wrong

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2
Q

What is deontological Ethics?

A

we have a duty to focus on the right action

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3
Q

what is teleological ethics?

A

we should focus on our end and purpose in life so we should think about the consequences to our actions

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4
Q

what is character based ethics?

A

more focus on what kind of person you want to be not what should I do

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5
Q

what are Aquinas’ 5 primary precepts?

A

preserve life, to keep an orderly society, worship god, educate children, reproduce (POWER)

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6
Q

what should we follow for deontological ethics?

A

Natural moral law

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7
Q

what is natural moral law?

A

natural moral law is a series of law that are universal to everyone and must always be followed. It can be discovered through human reason and observing nature

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8
Q

who talks about natural moral law?

A

St Thomas Aquinas

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9
Q

what are the 4 types of law?

A

Eternal law , Divine Law, natural law, human law

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10
Q

why does natural law exist?

A

so we can reach our eternal destiny with god (telos)

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11
Q

why do we have the ability to reason?

A

god created mankind in his image so we also reflect some of his qualities like the ability to reason

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12
Q

what are the 3 main faculties of the soul?

A

the vegetative, the sensitive and the rational

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13
Q

why do we have the ability to act on reason (soul faculties)?

A

the rational faculty governs the soul as it is the highest function. This allows humans to think about there actions first

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14
Q

what does Aquinas say we have a natural inclination towards (the synderesis rule)?

A

we have a natural desire to pursue good and avoid evil

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15
Q

what is manualism?

A

catholic church created a series of books which described the secondary precepts

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16
Q

what is the two types of reason?

A

speculative reason and practical reason

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17
Q

what is speculative reason?

A

deals with theoretical knowledge such as metaphysical truths

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18
Q

what is practical reason?

A

deals with action and decision making. it describes how to live a good life and achieve human flourishing

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19
Q

what is free will?

A

allows humans to make choices based on reason rather than impulse of coercion. we can consider different option and decide on the best course of action

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20
Q

why do humans sometimes act irrationally?

A

sometimes we can give in to passions and desires leading to the reason and rationality becoming subordinate to lower factions

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21
Q

according to Aquinas what is the main purpose of human life?

A

fulfillment of human nature by following the 5 precepts so that we can achieve union with god in heaven

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22
Q

why is there a limit to human reason?

A

there are certain truths and divine mystery that is beyond human reason to comprehend. This is because we do not know eternal law however through revelation we can understand divine law

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23
Q

what are secondary precepts

A

rules showing how humans can apply the primary precepts to specific situations
E.g. contraception is wrong as it hinders reproduction

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24
Q

name 4 ways evil can be excused

A

real and apparent goods
theological virtues
interior and exterior acts
docterine of double effects

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25
Q

what are real and apparent goods

A

aquinas believed human nature is essentially good as natural law is within everyone therefore no one ever knowingly persues evil. Sometimes humans do apparent goods like sex for pleasure which go against gods intentions. Real good is achived by practicing virtues

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26
Q

what is an interior act

A

an act of the will where the intentions occur within a persons mind and reason.
E.g giving to charity to help people

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27
Q

what is an exterior act

A

physical acts that people do for recgonition or a not honerable reason
e.g. making a big post about giving to charity

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28
Q

what is a virtue

A

a part of your character and something you do out of habit. It is important to cultivate virtues

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29
Q

what are the 4 cardinal virtues

A

prudence
justice
fortitude
temperance

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29
Q

what are the 3 theological virtues

A

faith
love
hope

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30
Q

what is the doctrine of double effect

A

if an action has an effect that goes against the primary precepts but that effect is unintended result of an action that follows the precepts then it is allowed

31
Q

what is proportionalism

A

it is a move to simplify NML and make it more applicable to everyday life. It is more compassionate and takes a persons situation into account

32
Q

what are the strengths of NML

A

based on reason
search for fulfillment
unites faith and reason
clear cut
universal rules
timeless

33
Q

what are the weaknesses of NML

A

duty bound
lacks compassion
nature changes
outdated
same laws shouldnt apply to everyone
idealistic view of human nature

34
Q

what is the four fold division of law

A

Eternal law
Divine law
natural law
human law

35
Q

how can we work out what is good (aristotle)

A

working out the 4 causes:
material cause
efficient cause
formal cause
final cause

36
Q

what is cultural relativism

A

the view that people’s moral beliefs should be judged in the context of their own culture

37
Q

what are the NML beliefs about afterlife

A

afterlife can be achived by reaching eudaimonia. This means human flourishing and that we have fulfilled our purpose in life. WE can reach eudaimonia by following the primary precepts, the syderesis rule and cultivating virtues

38
Q

what are the origins of NML

A

it is an acient theory that was mainly developed in the 18tyh century by st thomas aquinas a christian philosopher. NML has became the standered catholic approach to moral thinking

39
Q

What does Agape mean

A

Selfless love of an individual neighbour

40
Q

What are the 3 approaches to moral thinking

A

Legalistic, situational, antinomian

41
Q

What was the inspiration of situational ethics (Bible)

A

Jesus in the bible was the inspiration. Makes love central. Came up with the golden rule “love your neighbour”

42
Q

Context of situation ethics

A

Fletchers situation ethics gained a following in 1960s. Political landscape of changing views and family structures

43
Q

What are the 4 different types of love

A

Storge - affection used in families
Eros - passionate sensual love. Usually sexual
Phillia - friendship and loyalty
Agape - selfless an unconditional love

44
Q

What are the four key principles of situation ethics

A

Pragmatism, relativism, positivism and personalism

45
Q

How is Bonhoeffer and example of situation ethics

A

Was a Christian this disagreed with hitler and tried to assassinate him for the greater god. But failed and got hanged. The attempt to kill hitler would be justifiable

46
Q

What is pragmatism

A

It is something that is practical. Doesn’t follow absolutes just what maximises the good

47
Q

What is relativism

A

Absolute commands can become relative to the situation to and too love. Only love is absolute any action could be justified if it is relative to the situation

48
Q

What is positivism

A

You choose art and books simply because you like the. The same is with ethical decisions sometimes actions do not need to be justified is that are loving

49
Q

What is personalism

A

Puts people at the centre of concern not things. Asks who it helps not if it follows the law. People are to be loved not rules

50
Q

What are fletchers 6 principles to work out what the most loving thing is

A

1.love is always good
2.love is the only norm
3.love and justice are the same
4.love is no liking
5.love justifies its means
6.love decides there and then

51
Q

describe fletchers principle of how love is always good

A

the only intrinsically good thing is love. love is not what we have but what we do therefore it is our end purpose

52
Q

describe fletchers principle of how love is the only norm

A

love has no equal and it expects nothing in return. it is nothing like the love in NML as any rule can be broken if love requires it

53
Q

describe fletchers principle of how love and justice are the same

A

love becomes justice as justice is just love distributed. love in society must be calculating and careful (agapeic calculus)
e.g. hiroshima

54
Q

describe fletchers principle of how love is no liking

A

love is not sentimental like sympathy as it accounts to self love. love is about will and motivation and can be commanded

55
Q

describe fletchers principle of how love justifies its means

A

NML clings to the idea that the end doesnt justify the means but if the end does not then what does. Love can justify the means in cases like :woman trying to cross board but baby crying so she will get killed so she smothers baby to save other children

56
Q

describe fletchers principle of how love decides then and there

A

he accepts that morality has a grey area but a decision needs to be made without cowering behind rules. e.g woman takes thalidomide wants an abortion but cant so goes to sweden to get one

57
Q

what are the strengths of situation ethics

A

-flexible / practical
-takes into account complexity of human life
-use god given free will
-evolves with time
-puts humans at the heart
-focus on what is appropriate in the situation

58
Q

what are the weaknesses of situation ethics

A

-too much pressure on individual
-inconsistent with the bible
-is a truly selfless act even possible
-may encourage antinomianism
-slippery slope
-people are not perfect and can make mistakes (need guidance)

59
Q

what is eudaimonia

A

that which is good for humans. the supreme good for human life. Ultimate happiness through doing good deeds

60
Q

what is virtue ethics

A

it is character based ethics that focuses on cultivating virtues by following golden mean and looking to exemplars so we can be a good person and achieve eudaimonia

61
Q

what is a virtue

A

a disposition or character trait which is valued. for example courage, generosity

62
Q

what was Aristotle’s hierarchy of people

A

philosophers - politicians - people

63
Q

explain Aristotle’s hierarchy of people

A

philosophers work out the virtues should be valued. politicians nature a society that develops these virtues. People have to develop these virtues in themselves

64
Q

what is the function argument for virtue ethics

A
  1. all objects have a telos
  2. an object is good when it properly secures its telos
  3. the telos of a human is to reason
  4. this allows us to achieve eudaimonia
65
Q

what is Aristotle’s hierarchy of souls

A

humans : nutrition, growth, movement, reason
animals : nutrition, growth, movemnt, low level thinking
plants : nutrition, growth

66
Q

how can we cultivate virtues

A

by following the golden mean between excess and deficiency or by following exemplars

67
Q

Describe Barry Schwartz TED talk

A

moral problems are ill defined
practical wisdom is one of aristotles highest virtues
“rules are a war on wisdom”
celebrate moral exemplars

68
Q

what are Aristotles 2 categories of virtues

A

moral virtues and intellectual virtues

69
Q

what are some moral virtues

A

bravery, courage, patience

70
Q

what are some intellectual virtues

A

prudence, intuitive intelligence, wisdom, scientific knowledge

71
Q

what is the golden mean

A

it is the true centre between two extremes known as vices. this is known as the vice of deficiency and vice of excess

72
Q

what was peter vardy’s criticism of virtue ethics

A

-revolve around outdated and ancient origins
-ideas of wealthy straight white men
-littered with sexist, elitist approach

73
Q

what was peter singer’s criticism of virtue ethics

A

-it is anthropomorphic
-ignores animals ability to reason

74
Q

what are the strengths of virtue ethics

A

-focus on happiness
-absolute object for humanity
-community (focus on better society)
-can appeal to all belief systems
-broad (no set criteria)
-person centred
-flexible
-reliable, habits

75
Q

what are the weaknesses of virtue ethics

A

-lack of motives/ dull
-virtues differ between time and societies
-pompous and bourgeois
-rules (deontology is disguise)
-ignores bible and church
-vague
-subjective
-lack of animal rights (anthro-centric)

76
Q

what are criticism of deontology in relation to virtue ethics

A

lack of motivation just a list of shall nots
god has been largely removed from western societies making NML irrelevant
deontology does acknowledge communities and friendships

Alevel Ethics (2 decks)

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