Ethics and Philosophy Glossary

A comprehensive set of flashcards defining key terms and concepts from Ethics and Philosophy.

Absolute ethics

An ethical theory, such as Kantianism, which argues that certain actions should always be done regardless of circumstance.

Act Utilitarianism

An ethical theory that suggests one should always perform the individual act which leads to the greatest balance of good over evil.

Analogy

A comparison made to clarify or illustrate the meaning of something.

Apophatic Way

A theological approach that describes God in terms of what He is not, due to the inadequacy of human language.

A Posteriori

Knowledge that can only be known through sense experience.

A Priori

Knowledge that is knowable without reference to sense experience.

Aretaic Ethics

Another name for virtue ethics, emphasizing character and virtue.

Big Bang Theory

The cosmological model stating that the universe originated from an initial singular explosion.

Categorical Imperative

Kant’s principle that asserts an action is morally obligatory and must be followed without exception.

Cognitive Language

Language about which one can ask whether it is true or false.

Conscience

The faculty that enables individuals to make moral judgments and decisions.

Contingent Existence

Existence that depends on another entity.

Conversion Experience

A profound transformation in a person's life, often linked to religious change.

Cosmological Argument

An argument for the existence of God based on the existence and nature of the universe.

Creatio ex Nihilo

The doctrine that God created the universe from nothing.

Darwinism

The theory of evolution developed by Charles Darwin, emphasizing natural selection.

Deontological Ethics

Ethical theories that argue the rightness of an act is based on whether it follows a moral principle.

Determinism

The philosophical view that all events are determined by preceding causes.

Emotivism

The theory that ethical statements express emotional responses rather than objective truths.

Ethical Naturalism

The view that 'good' refers to a natural quality.

Eudaimonia

A Greek term often translated as 'flourishing' or 'happiness', central to Aristotle's ethics.

Final Cause

Aristotle’s notion of the purpose of an object.

Formal Cause

That which gives shape or essence to something.

Free Will

The ability of agents to make choices independently.

Hard Determinism

The belief that all actions are predetermined and free will is an illusion.

Hedonic Calculus

Bentham's method for measuring the pleasure and pain resulting from an action.

Hermeneutics

The art and science of interpretation, especially of texts.

Hypothetical Imperative

A conditional moral directive based on personal goals.

Intelligent Design

The theory that the features of living organisms are best explained by an intelligent cause.

Intuitionism

The view that moral knowledge is gained through intuition.

Irreducible Complexity

The idea that certain biological systems cannot be simplified without losing their functionality.

Libertarianism

The belief that humans possess full freedom of choice.

Material Cause

The physical substance that composes an object.

Materialism

The doctrine that only physical matter exists.

Meta ethics

The branch of ethics that analyzes the meaning and justification of moral values.

Miracle

A remarkable event attributed to divine intervention.

Monism

The belief that body and soul are one entity.

Moral Evil

Evil consequences resulting from human actions.

Natural Evil

Suffering and harm caused by natural events.

Natural Law

The principle that certain rights or values are inherent in human nature.

Negative Utilitarianism

An ethical theory that seeks to minimize suffering rather than maximize pleasure.

Non-Cognitive Language

Language that cannot be evaluated as true or false.

Normative Ethics

Ethical theories that prescribe how one should act based on moral principles.

Omnipotence

The quality of having unlimited power, particularly in relation to God.

Omnipresence

The attribute of being present everywhere at all times.

Omniscience

The quality of having complete or unlimited knowledge.

Ontological Argument

An argument for God's existence based purely on the definition of God.

Phenomenon

An observable fact or event.

Predestination

The doctrine that God has eternally ordained all events.

Preference Utilitarianism

The view that we should act according to what we would rationally prefer.

Prescriptivism

The view that ethical statements function as prescriptions for behavior.

Prime Mover

Aristotle's term for the original cause of all motion in the universe.

Principle of Universalisation

Kant's notion that one should act only according to that maxim that could be universally accepted.

Principle of Utility

The belief that actions should aim to promote the greatest good for the greatest number.

Reincarnation

The belief in the rebirth of the soul in a new body after death.

Relativist Ethics

The belief that moral judgments are relative to cultural or situational contexts.

Resurrection

The belief in a new life after death, typically in the context of Christianity.

Revelation

The act of God revealing Himself to humanity.

Rule Utilitarianism

The theory that action should adhere to rules that generally promote the greatest good.

Soft Determinism

The view that determinism is compatible with free will.

Substance Dualism

The belief that the mind and body are distinct and fundamentally different substances.

Subjectivism

The ethical standpoint that views moral judgments as subjective.

Teleological Argument

The argument for God’s existence based on the design and order of the universe.

Teleological Ethics

Ethical theories that evaluate actions based on their consequences.

Theological Determinism

The belief that God has predetermined all events.

Summum Bonum

The highest good in Kantian ethics, combining the highest virtue with the highest happiness.

Theodicy

The justification of God's goodness in the presence of evil.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory that advocates for actions that maximize happiness.

Verification

The principle that a statement is meaningful only if it can be empirically verified.

Via Negativa

An approach to theology that describes God by negation, stating what He is not.

Via Positiva

An approach to theology that asserts it is possible to speak positively about God.

Virtue Ethics

An ethical approach that focuses on developing good character traits.