Quiz One Flashcards
morality
beliefs regarding morally right and wrong actions and morally good and bad persons or character, also refers generally to aspects of our life such as principles, rules, standards, and theories or more specifically to certain beliefs or practices of particular groups of people.
moral
a synonym for right or good
When moral means good or right is it synonymous with ethics?
no
ethics
the study of morality using tools and methods of philosophy
philosophy
a discipline that systematicaly examines life’s big questions through critical reasoning, logical argument, and careful reflection
ethics/moral philosophy
a reasoned way of delving into the meaning and import of moral concepts and issues and of evaluating the merits od moral judgemnets and syandards
descriptive ethics
the study of morality using the methodology of science, it’s purpose is to investigate the ‘empirical’ ffacts of morality - the actual belifs, behaviors, and practices that constitute peple’s moral experience
In ethics we ask as Socrates did-
How ought we to live?
In descriptive ethics we ask?
How do we in fact live?
normative ethics
the search for, and justification of, moral standards or morms
What moral principles, if any, should inform our moral judgements? What role should virtues play in our lives? Is the principal of autonomy justified? Are there any exceptions to the moral principal of “do not kill”? How should we resolve conflicts between moral norms? Is contractarianism a good moral theory? Is utilitarianism a better theory?
normative ethics
metaethics
the study of the meaning and justification of basic moral beliefs, we ask what it -means- for an action to be right or a person to be good.
Does “right” mean “has the best consequences” or “produces the most happiness” or “commanded by god”?What, if anything, is the difference between moral and non moral beliefs? Are there such things as moral facts? If so what sorts of things are they, and how can they be known? Vwm moral statements be truw ir false or are they just expressions of emotions or attitudes without any truth value? Can moral norms be justfied or proven?
metaethics
applied ethics
the use of moral norms and concepts to resolve practical moral issues
Bioethics, legal ethics, busess ethics, and journalistic ethics fall under what branch of ethics?
applied ethics
bioethics is what branch of ethics?
applied ethics focused on healthcare, medical sciences, and medical technology
nonmoral norms
aesthetic norms (help us make value judgements about art), etiquette norms, grammatical norms, prudent normals about what’s in our best interest, legal norms
normative dominance
moral norms that are presumed to dominate other kinds of norms (this is called overridingness)
universality
moral principles or judgements that apply in all relevantly similar situations
impartiality
the idea that everyone should be considered equal, that everyone’s interests should count the same
moral reasoning
to engage in the essential, unavoidable practices of the moral life
What are the struggles of maintaining a moral life?
normative dominance, universality, impartiality, and reasonableness
moral obligations
concern our duty, what we are obligated to do- talks primarily about ACTIONS
moral values
concern those things that we judge to be morally good, bad, praiseworthy, or blameworthy
laws
norms enacted or enforced by the state to protect or promote the public good
obligatory action
one that is permitted (neutral)
permissible action
one that would be wrong NOT to perform
prohibited action
one that would be wrong to perform
supererogatory action
one that is “above and beyond” our duty
an absolute principle
applied without exceptions
a prima facie principle
applies in all cases unless an exception is warranted
autonomy
a person’s rational capacity for self-government or self-determination - the ability to direct one’s own life and chose for oneself
the special thing about autonomy
autonomy involves the capacity to make personal choices but choices CANNOT be considered entirely autonomous unless they are fully informed
lying
is morally wrong because it undermines personal autonomy
informed consent
demands that patients be allowed to freely consent to or decline treatments and that they receive the info they need to make informed judgements about them
autonomy restriction/harm principle
a person’s autonomy may be curtailed to prevent harm to themselves or others
paternalism
the overriding of a person’s actions - decision making for their own good
strong paternalism
usually thought to be morally objectionable
nonmaleficence
asks us to not intentionally or unintentionally inflict harm on others
due care
to act reasonably and responsibly to minimize the harm or the chances of causing harm
beneficence
“we should do good to others” it enjoins us to advance the welfare of others and prevent or remove harm to them
benevolence
referring more to an attitude of goodwill towards others rather than to a principle of right action
utility
the idea that we should produce the most favorable balance of good over bad (or benefit over harm) for all concerned
justice
refers to people getting what is fair or what is their due
retributive justice
concerns the fair meting out of punishment for wrongdoing
distributive justice
concerns the fair distribution of societies advantages and disadvantages (jobs, income, health care, taxes, rights, and public services)
libertarian
emphasize personal freedoms and the right to pursue one’s own social and economic well being in a free market without interference from others
egalitarian
believe a just distribution is an equal distribution
