Philosophy - Ethics, Punishment and Freedom/Prejudice Flashcards
what is ethics
ethics is the philosophical study of what is right and wrong
what is morality
morality is the calculation of what is acceptable behaviour based on ethical principles
what do duty ethicists believe
they believe that living a good life means being obedient to rules and duties
what do consequential ethicists believe
they believe that although following the rules may be helpful, living a good life usually means what will make us happy (similar to utilitarianism)
what is the quality of life principle
the quality of life principle is concerned with sentience … which is the capacity to reason and to feel pain and pleasure
what is the sanctity of life principle
the sanctity of life principle is a religious concept, that human life is valuable because it was given by God and humans are made in the image of God (imago dei)
give some ideas about the sanctity of life principle
- Catholics do not allow abortion as it is considered living after it is conceived
- humans are made ‘imago dei’ = in the image of God
- The sanctity of life principle is usually a religious belief as human life has value because it was given by God
give some ideas about the quality of life principle
- It is concerned with sentience = the ability to reason between pain and pleasure
what are the three ideas for life after death?
Nihilism
Resurrection
Reincarnation
what is Nihilism?
Nothing
- Pessimistic : Little point in life
- Optimistic : Only have one chance at life, so be as creative, imaginative and optimistic as possible
what is Resurrection?
- Resurrection is the idea that life continues after death and you can go to heaven or hell
- This idea can affect a persons’ values as it means that if they live a good life, they get a reward in the afterlife
what is Reincarnation?
- Reincarnation is the belief that your spirit returns in a different body after you die. Hindus believe you cycle up or down depending on the life you have lived.
- Reincarnation can affect a persons’ values as it means that they can live their next life as a better being and it could make people nicer to animals because they could be family.
what is the just war doctorine?
a body of thinking
what are the two types of pacifists
absolute pacifists and weak pacifists
what do absolute pacifists believe
- Absolute pacifists believe that there is never any justification for the use of violence so all war is morally wrong
what do weak pacifists believe
- Weak pacifists believe that violence and war should only be used as the very last resort when all other options have failed
When did Jesus support pacifism?
- ‘Love your enemies and forgive those who hate you’ (Sermon on the Mount)
- Peacemakers will be blessed (Beatitudes)
- Told Peter to put his sword down in the Garden of Gethsemane
When did Jesus not support pacifism?
- He did not condemn the soldiers
- Said nothing explicitly about war
- Taught that Christians should obey the state, so if the state orders, they should fight
what justification do you need for going to war?
- There must be a just cause such as defence of the land or protection of the innocent people
- War must be declared by a legitimate authority
- The intentions and motives must be good; war must resist evil and promote good
- It must have a reasonable chance of success
- It must be a last resort. All other possibilities must be explored first.
- The use of war must be proportionate to the result it wishes to achieve
What justice do you need in war?
The means used in the battle field must be proportionate; force must be kept to the minimum
* Those who are non-combatants (all those on either side who are not soldiers) must be protected
What justice do you after war?
- The victors must restore law and order. (no revenge, only punish people who are directly responsible (leaders not people), surrender terms proportional)
- The environment must be protected (i.e. further destruction must not take place) and make habitable
give some ideas on punishment
- Punishment is decided and delivered by an authority
- There has to be a general recognition that the authority is allowed to do this
- There has to be a sense that the punishment is fair and morally acceptable
what are the aims of punishment?
Reform
Protection
Retribution
Deterrence
Vindication
what is reform?
The theory is that the punishment will help change the criminal
