Normative Ethics Key Vocab

Question 1

Deontological

Answer 1

The moral value of an action is in the action itself. The action is wrong or wrong in itself no matter what the consequence.

Question 2

Disposition

Answer 2

A tendency to behave in certain ways (character traits) (virtue ethicists believe we ought to develop virtuous dispositions)

Question 3

Duty

Answer 3

An action we are required to carry out.

Question 4

Imperatives

Answer 4

Duties are experienced as commands (imperatives) which are absolute/categorical. - we should follow these no matter what.

Question 5

How can rational agents find out the categorical imperative

Answer 5

By asking whether the maxim that lies behind out action is universalisable

Question 6

Maxim

Answer 6

A rule underlying out actions. E.g lying because you’re scared would be acting on a maxim like ‘when I am scared I will lie’

Question 7

Eudamonia

Answer 7

The goal or ‘good’ we are all striving for. ‘Flourishing’ or ‘happiness’

Question 8

Hedonism/hedonistic

Answer 8

The claim that pleasure is the good. Utilitarians are hedonists because they think we should maximise pleasure (for the majority)

Question 9

Hypothetical imperative

Answer 9

Things we should do in order to achieve some goal (not moral according to Kant)

Question 10

Moral dilemma

Answer 10

Any situation an agent faces where there is a difficulty choosing between two or more courses of action. (Difficulty arises when there are moral reasons for and against choosing a course of action) -or if there are moral reasons against all options but a choice needs to be made

Question 11

Relativism

Answer 11

Moral judgements vary according to (are relative too) the social context in which they are made. What is right for you may not be right for me

Question 12

Summum bonum

Answer 12

‘The highest good’ or ‘the good’ - for Aristotle this was the goal of human life (this consisted in eudamonia)

Question 13

Teleological

Answer 13

Purpose goal or end - we should be striving to achieve certain moral goods.

Question 14

Universability

Answer 14

Applied to all people equally and in the same way. Fundamental feature of most ethical theories.
(Consequentialists, deontologists and existentialists). Kant uses it to say we should only act on rules which can will to be universal laws

Question 15

Utilitarianism

Answer 15

Consequentialist. Hume then bentham then mill. Hedonistic theory claiming what is good is what brings about the greatest amount of happiness/ pleasure for the majority of people. (Or reduce pain and harm to majority)

Question 16

Utility

Answer 16

Welfare or use for the majority (for mill and Bentham it means pleasure or happiness)

Question 17

Utility principle

Answer 17

An act or object is good in as much as it brings about something that is desired. / bad objects = pain and unhappiness

Question 18

Verification principle

Answer 18

A proposition Is only meaningful if it can be shown to be true or false by experience or by analysis of the meanings of the terms involved

Question 19

Virtue

Answer 19

A character trait or disposition which is to be valued. Common virtue = wisdom, courage, self control, honesty, generosity , compassion, kindness.

Question 20

Virtue ethics

Answer 20

Locates value not in action or in consequence but in the agent performing the act. Stresses the need to develop virtuous dispositions and to judge actions within broader context of what someone is inclined to do.

Question 21

Consequentialists

Answer 21

The moral value of an action is judged on its consequences. If an action is good the consequences are beneficial and if it’s bad they are harmful