Notions of Morality Flashcards
the theory of duty or moral obligation
DEONTOLOGICAL ETHICS or ETHICS OF DUTY
“What one is compelled to do by reason of duty”
DEONTOLOGICAL ETHICS or ETHICS OF DUTY
The most famous deontological theory was advanced by thisGerman philosopher
Immanuel Kant
insists that HOW people accomplish their goals
is usually more important than WHAT people accomplish.
deontology
, a philosophy
famous for its claim that THE ENDS JUSTIFY THE MEANS
CONSEQUENTIALISM
claimed that various actions are morally wrong
if they are inconsistent with the status of a person
as a free and rational being,
and that, conversely, acts that further the status of people as free and rational beings are morally right.
Immanuel Kant
One of the most important implications of deontology
Behavior X even if OUTCOME (+) ACT is (+) even if OUTCOME (-)
Denotes an absolute, unconditional requirement
that exerts its authority in all circumstances
“It is wrong to commit murder”
CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE
CHARACTERISTICS
of deontology
UNIVERSAL
RATIONAL
CATEGORICAL
PRINCIPLES OF THE CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE
universal law
treat humanity
law-making member
any proposition
that declares a certain action or inaction
to be necessary.
IMPERATIVE
This leaves one with the choice between maliciously exploiting the other person or being “moral” and offering oneself up as the sacrificial victim.
ALTRUISM
is the belief that VALUE
is a non-relational characteristic of an object.
INTRINSICISM
Compels action in a given circumstance
“If I wish to satisfy my thirst, then I must drink something”
HYPOTHETICAL IMPERATIVE
is a code of ethics
which holds the welfare of others
as the standard of “good”
and self-sacrifice as the only moral action.
ALTRUISM
This means that an object can be valuable or not,
good or bad,
without reference to who it is good or bad for,
and without reference to the reason it is good or bad.
INTRINSICISM
The belief that values are subjective.
SUBJECTIVISM
The concept of value requires a purpose and a beneficiary.
COLLECTIVISM
It requires answers to the questions
“Value to whom?” and “Value for what?”
COLLECTIVISM
The idea that our moral opinions are based on our feelings, and nothing more.
SUBJECTIVISM
There is no right or wrong, only expressions of our feelings.
SUBJECTIVISM
says value to the collective,
whether that is society, tribe, family, nation, race, sex,
or any other group or category one “belongs” to.
The standard of good is that which benefits the group
COLLECTIVISM
the moral principle which advocates that the use of force is wrong for any reason.
PACIFISM
Expresses renewed confidence in the power of man
to respond positively to his own problems
and so discover new things for himself
HUMANISM
This applies to both the initiation of force, as well as defensive or retaliatory force.
PACIFISM
holds that you should not defend yourself.
holds that you should not retrieve your property.
holds that nothing should be done about it.
PACIFISM
entails a commitment to the search for truth and morality
through human means in support of human interests.
HUMANISM
In focusing on the capacity for self-determination, this rejects dependence on faith,
the supernatural or divinely revealed texts
HUMANISM
Expresses man’s freedom to express himself without repression of any kind.
ANARCHISM
Freedom is the highest attainment of a humanity
ANARCHISM
is centered on rejection of any form
of compulsory government and supporting its elimination
ANARCHISM
derived from the Greek word αναρχια “without archons” or “without rulers“
ANARCHISM
Emphasizing action, freedom, and decision as fundamental existentialism is opposed to rationalism and positivism. i.e.,
argues against definitions of human beings as primarily rational.
EXISTENTIALISM
Life is essentially meaningful
Essentialism
Life is not essentially meaningful; but, it is, or can be, existentially meaningful.
Existentialism
asserts that people actually make decisions based on what has meaning to them rather than what is rational.
Existentialism
Comes from the Greek word eudaimonia which means happiness
EUDAIMONISM
A system of ethics that evaluates actions in terms of their capacity to produce happiness.
EUDAIMONISM
Refers to any conception of ethics that puts human happiness and the complete life of the individual at the center of ethical concern.
EUDAIMONISM
the ethical doctrine which believes that the moral worth of an action is solely determined by its contribution to overall utility.
UTILITARIANISM
the meaning of concepts is to be sought in their practical bearings
PRAGMATISM
the function of thought is to guide action
truth is preeminently to be tested by the practical consequences of belief
PRAGMATISM
is concerned with results not with usefulness
Pragmatism
concerned with usefulness not with results
Utilitarianism
theory, especially in ethics or aesthetics, that conceptions of truth and moral values are not absolute but are relative to the persons or groups holding them.
Relativism
There is no objective “truth” in morality. Right and wrong are only matters of opinion, and opinions vary from culture to culture
Cultural Relativism
Happiness is achieved through the development of “good habits”
Virtue Ethics
We ought to strive to develop a “good” character. Seeks to develop individual character. A good person will make a good decision
Virtue Ethics
neither excess nor deficiency.
Golden Mean
Focuses on the pursuit of self-interest in human conduct.
Ethical Egoism
Each person ought to do whatever will best promote his or her own interests.
Ethical Egoism
What brings pleasure to an individual is good
Hedonism
is the claim that all and only pleasure has worth or value, and all and only pain has disvalue
Hedonism
Everything is caused and determined (even human actions and choices) by previously existing causes that preclude free will and the possibility that humans could have acted otherwise.
Determinism
-“what will be will be”
Fatalism
the universe (both physical and moral) is governed by fate
Stoicism
Morality and religion go together
Theonomous Ethics
Being good is doing whatever a sacred text tells you
Divine Command
Looking at the person of Christ as the norm of all thought and action.
Christian Ethics
“Demand not that events should happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.” (Epictetus)
Determinism
Might is right
Relativism
Hedonism / Egoism
Collectivism
utlitarianism
Morals are mores
Cultural Relativism
The individual is the measure
Relativism / Subjectivism
Egoism
Humanism
The human Race is the basis of right
Humanism
Right is moderation
Aristotle’s “Golden Mean” or the Virtue of Ethics
Right is what brings pleasure
Hedonism ; Egoism
Right is the greatest good for the greater number
Utilitarianism; Collectivism
Right is what is desirable for it’s own sake
Deontological Ethics
Altruism
Right is indefinable
Ethical Relativism
Subjectivism
Determinism
Right is what God wills
Theonomous Ethics
