Ethics Chapter Test Review

Morality

standards that an individual or group has about what is right and wrong or good and evil

Ethics

branch of philosophy that tries to determine the good and right thing to do

Ethical relativism

 view that denies the existence of a single universally applicable moral standard

Ethical absolutism

view that affirms the existence of a single, correct and universally applicable moral standard

Normative ethics

branch of ethics that makes judgments about obligation and value

Cultural relativism

idea that a person's beliefs and practices should be understood based on that person's own culture

Consequentialist theory

position that the morality of an action is determined by its non-moral consequences

Teleology

the theory of end results

Egoism

treats self interest as the foundation of morality

Hedonism

view that pleasure is intrinsically worthwhile

egoists

NOT ALL _______ ARE HEDONISTS

Act Utilitarianism

normative ethics, position that an action is moral if it produces the greatest happiness for the most people

Non-consequentialist

the rightness or wrongness of an act is dependent on more than its consequences

Scriptural divine command

doing the will of God on the basis of what is written in a religions Holy Scriptures

Divine command

a nonconsequential theory that suggests that we should always do the will of God

Natural Law

 the non consequential theory that holds that humans should live according to nature

Categorical Imperative

ethical formula suggesting that the main by which you act could become a universal rule; I am not to act unless I would expect everyone else to act this way

Kants first categorical imperative

what if my maxim were to become a universal law

Kants second categorical imperative

others are an end, not a means to an end

Buddhist Ethics

ethical behaviour both leads to and slows from an enlightened mind

cultivation of wisdom

discipline of the mind through ethical action and quieting of the mind until the point of enlightenment

morality and wisdom

2 factors that go together in buddhist ethics

karma

great law of cause and effect

volitional action

voluntary effort to follow a conduct

Virtue

the ability to be reasonable in our actions, desires and emotions

Virtue

a morally good character trait, such as honesty, courage or integrity

Virtue Ethics

position that the moral life should be concerned with cultivating a virtuous character rather than rules of action

Utilitarianism

theory that we should act in such a way that our actions produce the greatest happiness or pleasure for all concerned

Rule Utilitarianism

normative ethics, position that we should act so that the rule governing our actions produces the greatest happiness for the most people

Jeremy Bentham

founder of modern utilitarianis. Pleasure and pain can be quantified.

Aquinas

because God created the universe, the laws that govern it are laws that God imposed on it

John Stuart Mill

founder of utilitarianism. Pleasure and pain can not be quantified.

Kant

founder of the "good will" theory

Buddha

Sidhartha Gautama, found the 8 fold path

Aristotle

because humans can reason, they must act upon their ability to reason

Happiness

what is the end we seek

Mean

how can virtue be achieved

Aristotle

who said ",the ultimate good for man is carrying out those activities of his soul (which involve reason) and doing so with proper virtue and excellence."

Character development

what do virtue ethics depend on

Morally right

if an action tends to produce a virtous character it is

Virtous character

develop virtous traits, recognize the important of community, develop personal ideals