Philosophy Notes on Ethics and Euthanasia

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the philosophy notes on ethics, abortion, and euthanasia.

Virtue Theory

An ethical framework that focuses on the character and virtues of moral agents rather than rules or consequences.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory that advocates for actions that maximize happiness or well-being for the majority.

Kantian Ethics

An ethical theory that emphasizes duty, moral rules, and the inherent dignity of all individuals.

Pro-choice

A viewpoint that supports a woman's right to make decisions regarding her own pregnancy and abortion.

Pro-life

A viewpoint that opposes abortion and believes in the right to life of the fetus.

Moral Interests

The ethical considerations that pertain to the implications of actions affecting well-being, often referenced in discussions about paternal rights in abortion.

Bodily Autonomy

The right of a person to govern what happens to their own body.

Violinist Analogy

Judith Thomson's thought experiment comparing pregnancy to being connected to a violinist who requires your body to survive, illustrating bodily autonomy.

People Seeds Analogy

A thought experiment used by Thomson to illustrate issues of responsibility regarding unintended pregnancies.

Self-defense in Abortion

The ethical argument that a person may act to protect their own life, even if it results in the death of a fetus.

Natural Inclination to Live

The inherent drive of humans to survive, used by some to argue against euthanasia.

Active Euthanasia

Deliberately causing someone's death to relieve suffering, as opposed to passive euthanasia.

Passive Euthanasia

Letting someone die by withholding treatment, rather than directly causing death.

Argument from Nature

The idea that euthanasia violates the natural human inclination to survive.

Negative Duty

A moral obligation to refrain from actions that would harm others, such as killing.

Positive Duty

A moral obligation to take action to help others, such as providing aid.

Justice in Acquisition

A principle in Nozick's theory of justice regarding how individuals come to own resources.

Justice in Transfer

A principle in Nozick's theory concerning how resources are transferred legally and ethically between individuals.

Redistributive Taxation

Government policies that involve taking income from individuals or entities to redistribute it for social welfare.

Structural Injustice

A concept addressing social systems that create and perpetuate inequality, regardless of individual wrongdoing.

Eudaimonia

A state of flourishing or living well, often linked to virtue ethics.

Harm Principle

Mill's principle that the only justification for restricting liberty is to prevent harm to others.

Autonomy

The ability of individuals to make informed and uncoerced decisions about their own lives.

Hate Speech

Expressions that demean or belittle individuals based on characteristics such as race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Entitlement Theory of Justice

Nozick's theory that emphasizes rights to holdings based on justice in acquisition, transfer, and rectification.