Ethics: Normative Theories (Consequentialism and Kantian Ethics)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on normative theories, consequentialism, utilitarianism, and Kantian ethics.

Consequentialism

An ethical theory that judges actions by their outcomes; the duty is to maximize good and minimize bad consequences (G/B).

G/B ratio

The ratio of total good effects to total bad effects produced by an action, used to assess morality under consequentialism.

Total effects

All the good and bad consequences of an action that must be considered.

Ethical Egoism

A view where the moral quality of an action is determined by its effects on the agent’s own interests.

Act Utilitarianism

A form of consequentialism that assesses each individual action by its contribution to overall well-being.

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)

Founder associated with Act Utilitarianism; promotes maximizing overall well-being in every action.

Well-being

The state of being well; in utilitarian terms, primarily formed by pleasure and happiness.

Pleasure and Happiness

Key components used to measure well-being in utilitarian calculations.

Obligatory

Morally required actions.

Permissible

Morally allowed actions that are not required.

Short-term vs Long-term consequences

Different time horizons for outcomes that affect moral judgments.

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

Philosopher who emphasized experience, actual vs reasonably expected results in evaluating consequences.

Actual results vs reasonably expected results

Mill’s distinction between what happens and what we reasonably anticipate will happen.

Impartiality

Treating all affected individuals with equal consideration in utilitarian reasoning.

Non-human animals

AU extends moral consideration to beings capable of feeling pain; expands the moral community.

Moral intuitions (AU)

AU claims our basic moral beliefs about virtues and vices can be explained by its impartial framework.

Conflict resolution (AU)

A utilitarian approach provides rules for resolving cases with conflicting duties by maximizing overall well-being.

Moral flexibility

The idea that there is one absolute goal (maximize G/B or H/U ratio) while other principles can be overridden.

Lying (utilitarian view)

Lying is not always wrong if it increases overall well-being.

The Scope of the Moral Community

Who counts morally (beings capable of feeling pain or pleasure); can include non-human animals.

Slippery slope arguments

Claims that a sequence of events will lead to disaster; debated as fallacies or legitimate reasoning.

Euthanasia

A debated issue in utilitarian ethics about ending life to relieve suffering.

Drug legalization

Policy debated under utilitarian analysis of total well-being.

Criticisms of Utilitarianism

Common objections: too demanding, unpredictable outcomes, violation of justice/rights, lack of intrinsic rights.

Too demanding

Critique that utilitarian calculations require impossible precision and effort.

Impartiality rejected (critique)

Objection that utilitarianism disregards special obligations or relationships.

No intrinsic right or wrong

Critique that morality depends on outcomes, not inherent rights.

Justice and rights (AU)

Criticism that utilitarianism can conflict with justice or individual rights.

Kant (1724-1804)

German philosopher who founded Non-Consequentialist ethics, emphasizing reason and autonomy.

Non-Consequentialism

Ethical theories that judge actions by reasons other than their consequences (e.g., Kantian ethics).

Imperatives

Moral commands in Kant’s framework, divided into hypothetical and categorical.

Hypothetical imperative

A command that applies only if one desires a goal (conditional).

Categorical imperative

An unconditional moral command; central to Kant’s ethics.

Rule Utilitarianism

Right actions are those governed by rules that, if universally followed, maximize well-being.

Ends/Means (Principle of Humanity)

Kant’s rule: treat people as ends in themselves, never merely as means to an end.

Autonomy

Rational self-governance; capacity to reason and freely choose one's actions.

Reason and free will

Kantian view that moral law arises from rational agency, not emotion.

Self-regarding duties

Duties one owes to oneself within Kantian ethics.

Moral community

The group of beings whose interests matter morally; expanded by Kant’s view of rational beings.

Inquiring Murderer case

A Kantian thought experiment used to test whether a rule should be universal in cases of lying.