PHILOSOPHERS Flashcards
Utilitarianism
Philosophers: Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill; Definition: Focuses on the consequences of actions, aiming to maximize overall happiness or pleasure; Case Study India: The implementation of public health policies like the National Immunization Programme, which aims to maximize health benefits for the largest number of people.
Deontological Ethics
Philosophers: Immanuel Kant; Definition: Emphasizes duties and rules, where the morality of an action is based on adherence to rules rather than outcomes; Case Study India: The Right to Information Act (RTI) which upholds the principle of transparency and accountability in governance.
Virtue Ethics
Philosophers: Aristotle; Definition: Centers on the character and virtues of the moral agent, focusing on developing good character traits; Case Study India: The emphasis on virtues like honesty and integrity in leadership programs and anti-corruption campaigns.
Ethical Egoism
Philosophers: Ayn Rand; Definition: Argues that individuals should act in their own self-interest, believing that this leads to the best outcome for everyone; Case Study India: Entrepreneurial ventures and self-startups in India, where individuals act in their self-interest to achieve personal and economic growth.
Social Contract Theory
Philosophers: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau; Definition: Posits that moral and political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among individuals to form a society; Case Study India: The Indian Constitution as a social contract that defines the rights and responsibilities of citizens and the state.
Divine Command Theory
Philosophers: Various Theologians; Definition: Claims that moral values are determined by God’s commands and that ethical obligations are based on religious doctrines; Case Study India: The influence of Hindu scriptures, such as the Bhagavad Gita, on ethical and moral decision-making in various aspects of life.
Care Ethics
Philosophers: Carol Gilligan, Nel Noddings; Definition: Focuses on the importance of care and relationships in ethical decision-making, emphasizing empathy and compassion; Case Study India: The role of NGOs like the Akshaya Patra Foundation, which provides mid-day meals to school children with a focus on care and compassion.
Contractarianism
Philosophers: John Rawls; Definition: Argues that moral norms derive from the idea of a social contract, where rational individuals agree on rules for mutual benefit; Case Study India: The implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which represents an agreement among states to unify the tax system for mutual economic benefit.
Moral Relativism
Philosophers: Various Philosophers; Definition: Holds that moral judgments and ethical standards are relative to cultural, individual, or societal contexts; Case Study India: The diverse cultural practices and traditions across India, such as regional festivals and rituals, which reflect moral relativism.
Existentialist Ethics
Philosophers: Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir; Definition: Focuses on individual freedom, responsibility, and the creation of one’s own values in a seemingly indifferent universe; Case Study India: The personal journeys of individuals like Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who defined their own values and purpose despite societal expectations.
Natural Law Theory
Philosophers: Thomas Aquinas; Definition: Claims that moral principles are derived from human nature and can be understood through reason and observation of the natural world; Case Study India: The legal principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution that reflect natural law concepts such as human rights and justice.
Hedonism
Philosophers: Epicurus; Definition: Asserts that pleasure or happiness is the highest good and that ethical actions are those that increase pleasure or reduce pain; Case Study India: The rise of wellness and lifestyle industries in India, including yoga and meditation practices aimed at enhancing personal pleasure and well-being.
Utilitarianism of Preferences
Philosophers: R.M. Hare; Definition: A version of utilitarianism that emphasizes the satisfaction of individual preferences or desires rather than overall happiness; Case Study India: Consumer rights movements and the emphasis on satisfying individual preferences through the Consumer Protection Act.
Pluralistic Deontology
Philosophers: W.D. Ross; Definition: Holds that there are multiple moral principles that should be balanced and respected, rather than a single overarching rule; Case Study India: The balancing of competing rights and duties in the Indian legal system, such as the right to freedom of speech versus the right to privacy.
Subjectivism
Philosophers: David Hume; Definition: Posits that moral judgments are based on individual feelings and attitudes rather than objective truths; Case Study India: The diverse opinions and personal attitudes towards social issues like caste and gender equality across different regions.
Ethical Intuitionism
Philosophers: G.E. Moore; Definition: Claims that moral truths are known through intuitive awareness and that certain moral facts are self-evident; Case Study India: The intuitive moral judgments made by Indian citizens regarding social issues, such as the widespread condemnation of corruption.
Behavioral Ethics
Philosophers: Various Scholars; Definition: Explores how psychological factors and behavioral influences affect ethical decision-making and moral behavior; Case Study India: Research on corruption and ethical behavior in Indian business practices and governance.
Virtue Utilitarianism
Philosophers: Robert Louden; Definition: Blends elements of virtue ethics and utilitarianism, focusing on the cultivation of virtues that lead to the greatest good; Case Study India: Ethical leadership programs that emphasize both virtuous character and the promotion of overall societal welfare.
Ethical Pragmatism
Philosophers: John Dewey; Definition: Advocates for a practical approach to ethics that considers the consequences of actions and the context in which they occur; Case Study India: The implementation of practical solutions in rural development programs that address immediate needs while considering long-term outcomes.
Eudaimonism
Philosophers: Aristotle; Definition: Holds that the highest human good is eudaimonia (flourishing or well-being) achieved through virtuous living; Case Study India: Educational and wellness programs that aim to enhance personal flourishing and well-being through holistic development.
Moral Absolutism
Philosophers: Various Philosophers; Definition: Argues that there are absolute moral standards that apply universally, regardless of individual or cultural differences; Case Study India: The universal principles of human rights as outlined in international treaties and Indian constitutional guarantees.
Cultural Relativism
Philosophers: Franz Boas; Definition: Asserts that moral values and practices are culturally bound and should be understood within their own cultural context; Case Study India: The varied cultural practices across different Indian states, such as distinct religious festivals and marriage customs.
Virtue Consequentialism
Philosophers: Philippa Foot; Definition: Combines elements of virtue ethics with consequentialist principles, focusing on both the character of the moral agent and the outcomes of actions; Case Study India: The focus on virtuous leadership qualities in Indian political figures and their impact on societal outcomes.
Act Utilitarianism
Philosophers: John Stuart Mill; Definition: Evaluates the morality of each action based on whether it maximizes overall happiness or minimizes overall pain; Case Study India: Public policies like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) that aim to improve the welfare of rural populations.
Rule Utilitarianism
Philosophers: John Stuart Mill; Definition: Focuses on following rules that generally lead to the greatest good, rather than evaluating individual actions; Case Study India: The establishment of legal and ethical rules such as environmental regulations to ensure long-term societal benefits.
Meta-Ethics
Philosophers: Various Philosophers; Definition: Explores the nature, origin, and meaning of ethical concepts and judgments rather than addressing specific moral issues; Case Study India: Philosophical debates and discussions in Indian academia about the nature of moral values and ethics.
The Principle of Utility
Philosophers: Jeremy Bentham; Definition: Posits that the rightness of actions is determined by their contribution to overall utility or happiness; Case Study India: The implementation of welfare schemes like the Public Distribution System (PDS) to ensure food security and maximize public utility.
Moral Sentimentalism
Philosophers: David Hume; Definition: Claims that moral judgments are based on emotional responses and sentiments rather than reason alone; Case Study India: Public reactions to social issues like child labor, driven by emotional responses and sentiments in various awareness campaigns.
Neo-Aristotelian Ethics
Philosophers: Alasdair MacIntyre; Definition: Revives Aristotelian ethics, emphasizing the importance of traditions and practices in shaping moral life; Case Study India: The role of traditional community practices and moral education in shaping contemporary Indian ethics.
Eco-Ethics
Philosophers: Aldo Leopold; Definition: Advocates for an ethical relationship between humans and the environment, emphasizing the intrinsic value of nature; Case Study India: Environmental conservation efforts like the Chipko Movement, which emphasize the protection of natural resources and eco-friendly practices.
CULTURAL ECOLOGY OF JULIAN STEWARD STEWARDSHIP
