Ethics and Moral Philosophy: Key Concepts and Distinctions

Ethics

Normative study of how we ought to live.

Social Sciences

Descriptive studies of human conduct and society.

Moral Philosophy

Explores what we owe to one another morally.

Virtue Theory

Focuses on character traits as virtues or vices.

Moral Theory

Determines what makes actions right or wrong.

Prudential Point of View

Considers long-term well-being of the agent.

Legal Point of View

Assesses actions based on legality.

Moral Rightness

Permissible actions from a moral perspective.

Necessary Condition

X must occur for Y to occur.

Sufficient Condition

If X occurs, Y must also occur.

Both Necessary and Sufficient Condition

X and Y occur together; each implies the other.

The Ten Commandments

Biblical laws outlining moral conduct.

Criterion 10C

Action is right if it doesn't violate commandments.

GR (Golden Rule)

Act morally if treating others as oneself.

Moral Permissibility

Actions allowed under specific moral criteria.

Controversial Cases

Situations requiring moral criteria for decision-making.

Fundamental Project of Moral Philosophy

Achieving harmony through shared moral understanding.

Contrast of Ethical Questions

Broader ethics vs. narrower moral philosophy inquiries.

Moral vs. Prudential Actions

Actions can be morally right but prudentially wrong.

Moral vs. Legal Actions

Actions can be morally wrong but legally permissible.

Character Trait

Attributes defining virtue or vice in individuals.

Moral Justification

Ability to justify decisions to others.

Moral Conduct

Behavior aligned with ethical principles.

Criteria for Morality

Standards used to evaluate moral actions.

GR

General Reciprocity; assumes uniform desires among beings.

Pete's Example

Illustrates differing desires in moral treatment.

Argument

Series of considerations supporting a point of view.

Premises

Considerations presented in an argument.

Conclusion

Point of view author aims to convince of.

Validity

Structure ensuring conclusion follows from premises.

Soundness

Argument is valid and premises are true.

Factual Correctness

Truthfulness of premises in an argument.

Unsound Argument

Valid but with false premises.

Valid Argument

Structure correct, premises guarantee conclusion's truth.

Invalid Argument

Structure fails to support conclusion logically.

Factually Incorrect Argument

Premises are not true; cannot be sound.

Conditional Statement

If-then statement establishing a logical relationship.

DC

Moral rightness based on God's commandments.

10C

Specific moral instructions from the Bible.

Theological Voluntarism

Right acts depend solely on God's commands.

Divine Advisor View

God's commands define rightness of actions.

Moral Theory

Framework for determining right and wrong actions.

Logical Compatibility

Can coexist with opposing moral beliefs.

Morally Permissible

Action allowed within a moral framework.

Argument Structure

Arrangement of premises leading to a conclusion.

Sound Argument

Valid argument with all true premises.

Premise Truth

Requirement for soundness in an argument.

Moral Instructions

Guidelines for ethical behavior based on beliefs.

Assumption in Arguments

Underlying beliefs that influence argument validity.

Ethical Considerations

Factors influencing moral judgments and actions.

Theological Voluntarism

Moral rightness depends solely on God's commands.

Divine Advisor View

God's commands align with an independent moral standard.

Euthyphro Argument

Questions if morality is based on God's will.

Problem of Evil

Challenges God's existence due to evil in the world.

Natural Evil

Evil not caused by human actions, like disasters.

Manicheans' Problem of Evil

Evil exists, questioning God's omnipotence or goodness.

Cultural Relativism (CR)

Morality is defined by societal norms and beliefs.

Moral Code

Shared beliefs about acceptable behavior in society.

Society

Group of people sharing beliefs and values.

Fauziya's Case

Individual opposition to harmful cultural practices.

Objective Truth

Truth exists independently of individual beliefs.

Independent Moral Standard

Criteria for right acts not based on divine commands.

Cultural Norms

Practices and beliefs accepted within a specific culture.

Moral Acceptability

Behavior deemed right or wrong by societal standards.

Evidence for Line 2

Cultural practices can be harmful despite societal acceptance.

Critique of CR

Cultural practices may conflict with universal moral principles.

Personal Suffering

Individual experiences that can challenge cultural norms.

Harmful Practices

Cultural norms that cause significant harm to individuals.

Cultural Validity

Each culture's practices are valid within their context.

Disagreement on Morality

Different opinions do not negate the existence of truth.

Moral Objections

Personal beliefs against accepted cultural practices.

Contextual Judgement

Evaluating practices based on cultural context.

Criticism of CR

Outsiders may challenge harmful cultural practices.

Moral Relativism

Belief that morality varies between cultures.

Cultural Practices

Behaviors and customs specific to a culture.

Universal Human Rights

Rights that apply to all individuals globally.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Harmful practice violating individual rights and morals.

Slavery Advice Argument

Explores cultural acceptance of slavery in history.

Premise 1 (Slavery)

Slavery was accepted in 19th-century Alabama culture.

Cultural Relativism

View that cultures' values are valid in context.

Premise 2 (Cultural Relativism)

Cultural practices should not be judged externally.

Premise 3 (Slavery)

Slavery is immoral by modern universal moral standards.

Moral Progress Argument

Societies can advance morally over time.

Premise 1 (Moral Progress)

Historical examples show societies recognizing moral advances.

Civil Rights Movement

Movement aimed at ending racial discrimination in the U.S.

Abolition of Slavery

Historical movement to end slavery globally.

Premise 2 (Moral Progress)

Cultural relativism claims all values are equally valid.

Premise 3 (Moral Progress)

No objective standard means no moral progress can exist.

Objective Standard

A universal measure to evaluate moral practices.

Cultural Context

Understanding practices within their specific cultural background.

Tolerance in Cultural Relativism

CR advocates understanding, not necessarily endorsing practices.

Critique of Cultural Practices

CR lacks a framework for external moral critique.

Inherent Rights

Fundamental rights that belong to all individuals.

Moral Framework

Set of principles guiding ethical behavior.

Cultural Norms

Accepted behaviors and beliefs within a specific culture.

Historical Examples

Past events illustrating cultural acceptance of practices.

Genocide

Deliberate extermination of a particular group.

Torture

Infliction of severe pain for punishment or coercion.

Moral Standards

Principles that define right and wrong behavior.

Cultural Acceptance

Widespread approval of practices within a culture.