Ethics and Moral Theory Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering branches of ethics, value theories, deontological principles, and consequentialist frameworks based on lecture notes.

Utilitarianism

A moral theory focused on doing the thing that produces the most happiness.

Categorical Imperative

A rule stating to act only according to those maxims which you can at the same time will to be universal law, formatted as: 'When I am [blank], I will [blank] in order to [blank]'.

Supererogatory

An action category described as 'moral extra credit'.

Indirect Proof

A proof technique that begins by taking the opposite of the answer.

Meta Ethics

The most abstract branch of ethics.

Normative Moral Theory

A general explanation of what makes an act right or wrong, or good or bad, comprising a theory of right action and a theory of value.

Applied Ethics

The branch of ethics that focuses on particular, specific issues.

Theory of Right Action

The part of a normative moral theory that addresses whether an act is right or wrong.

Theory of Value

The part of a normative moral theory that addresses whether something is good or bad.

Consequentialism

A type of moral theory that judges actions solely by looking at their consequences.

Intrinsic Value

Value that something has for its own sake, such as love.

Instrumental Value

Value that gets you something else for other stuff, such as money.

Egoism

A type of consequentialism where an action is chosen based on doing what makes yourself happiest.

Classical Utilitarianism

A type of consequentialism that evaluates what action produces the most overall happiness.

Hedonism

A theory of value in which happiness is intrinsically valuable.

Preferred Experiences

A view regarding what makes things valuable, noting that even some painful experiences are preferred.

Maximizing Act Consequentialism

A method of tallying consequences to make a decision by choosing the action that yields the most happiness overall.