bioe quiz 1

applied ethics

The use of moral norms and concepts to resolve practical moral issues.

availability error

Relying on evidence not because it’s trustworthy but because it’s memorable or striking.

bioethics

Applied ethics focused on health care, medical science, and medical technology

confirmation bias

The tendency to look for and recognize only information that confirms our existing view

cultural relativism

The view that right actions are those sanctioned by one’s culture.

deductive argument

An argument intended to give logically conclusive support to its conclusion.

descriptive ethics

The study of morality using the methodology of science

divine command theory

The view that right actions are those commanded by God and wrongactions are those forbidden by God

Dunning-Kruger effect

The phenomenon of being ignorant of how ignorant we are

ethical relativism

The view that moral standards are not objective but are relative to what individuals or cultures believe

ethics

The study of morality using the tools and methods of philosophy

evidence

something that makes a statement more likely to be true

inductive argument

An argument intended to give probable support to its conclusion

metaethics

The study of meaning and justification of basic moral beliefs

moral absolutism

The belief that objective moral principles allow no exceptions or must be applied the same ways in all cases and cultures

moral argument

an argument whose conclusion is a moral statement

morality

Beliefs regarding morally right and wrong actions and morally good and bad persons or character

moral objectivism

The view that there are moral norms or principles that are valid or true for everyone.

motivated reasoning

Reasoning for the purpose of supporting a pre-determined conclusion, not to uncover the truth.

normative ethics

The search for, and justification of, moral standards, or norms

paternalism

The overriding of a person’s actions or decision-making for his or her own good.

subjective relativism

The view that right actions are those sanctioned by a person.

act-utilitarianism

The view that the rightness of actions depends solely on the relative good produced by individual actions.

consequentialist theory

A moral theory asserting that the rightness of actions depends solely on

their consequences or result

contractarianism

Moral or political theories based on the idea of a social contract or agreement among individuals for mutual advantage

deontological theory

A moral theory asserting that the rightness of actions is determined partly or entirely by their intrinsic nature.

distributive justice

Justice regarding the fair distribution of benefits and costs, especially those associated with being members of a society (such as income, privileges, taxes, health care, jobs, and public service)

double effect doctrine

The principle that performing a bad action to bring about a good effect is never morally acceptable but that performing a good action may sometimes be acceptable even if it produces a bad effect

moral theory

An explanation of why an action is right or wrong or why a person or a person’s character is good or bad

natural law theory

The view that right actions are those that conform to moral standards discerned in nature through human reason

prima facie principles

Principles that apply in a situation unless exceptions are justified

principlism

A moral theory consisting of multiple moral principles that must be weighed and balanced against one other to determine right actions

retributive justice

Justice concerning the fair use of punishment for wrongdoing

rule-utilitarianism

The view that a right action is one that conforms to a rule that, if followed CONSISTENTLY, would create for everyone involved the most beneficial balance of good over bad

utilitarianism

The view that right actions are those that result in the most beneficial balance of good over bad consequences for everyone involved

virtue ethics

A moral theory that focuses on the development of virtuous character