Ethics Prelims

Eudaimonia

The highest human good, often translated as happiness or flourishing.

Function Argument (Ergon Argument)

The idea that the good life consists in rational activity performed excellently.

Moral Virtues

Character traits such as courage, temperance, and generosity.

Intellectual Virtues

Traits like wisdom, understanding, and prudence.

Polis

The city-state which helps people achieve happiness by fostering a virtuous society.

Three Parts of the Soul (Plato)

Rational (reason), Spirited (courage), Appetitive (desires), each with specific roles.

Cardinal Virtues (Plato)

Wisdom, Courage, Temperance, Justice.

Justice in the State (Plato)

Each class (rulers, warriors, producers) performing its proper role without interfering with others.

Augustine's View on Free Will

Humans have free will, but it is weakened by sin and needs God's grace.

Intellect vs. Moral Goodness (Augustine)

The will must choose the good; human desires often resist reason.

Augustine's Solution to the Problem of Evil

Evil is not a substance but the absence of good (privatio boni).

Ultimate End of Human Life (Aquinas)

Happiness (beatitudo) – Imperfect happiness in life, perfect happiness in union with God.

Cardinal Virtues (Aquinas)

Prudence, Justice, Courage, Temperance.

Theological Virtues

Faith, Hope, Love (Charity); essential virtues for moral living.

Natural Law

The moral law based on human nature & reason – 'Do good, avoid evil.'

Categorical Imperative (Kant)

The fundamental principle of morality: Act only on maxims that can be universalized.

Kant's Universal Law Formula

Ask: Would it be okay if everyone did this?

Kant's Humanity Formula

Treat others as ends, never merely as means (respect human dignity).

Perfect vs. Imperfect Duties

Perfect duties have no exceptions (e.g., don’t lie), while imperfect duties are flexible (e.g., help others when possible).

Four Noble Truths (Buddha)

1. Life is suffering (dukkha). 2. Suffering arises from attachment & desire. 3. Suffering can end by eliminating attachment. 4. The Eightfold Path leads to the end of suffering.

Key Principles of Buddhism

Anicca (impermanence), Anatta (no permanent self), Karma (actions shape future experiences).

Eightfold Path

1. Right View 2. Right Intention 3. Right Speech 4. Right Action 5. Right Livelihood 6. Right Effort 7. Right Mindfulness 8. Right Concentration.

Eudaimonia (Aristotle)

A state of living in accordance with virtue, leading to true happiness.

Virtue Ethics

An ethical theory that emphasizes an individual's character as the key element of ethical thinking.

Practical Wisdom (Phronesis)

The ability to make sound judgments in practical situations.

Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle's work discussing the nature of the good life and virtue.

Golden Mean

Aristotle's concept that virtue lies between two extremes of excess and deficiency.

Civic Virtue

The cultivation of habits important for the success of the community.

Distinction between Act and Virtue

In virtue ethics, the emphasis is on being virtuous over simply performing virtuous acts.

Kantian Ethics

An ethical framework asserting that morality is grounded in rationality and duty.

The Role of Reason in Ethics (Kant)

Reason guides moral decisions and determines moral law.

Dualism (Plato)

The belief that the body and soul are distinct and interact with each other.

The Allegory of the Cave (Plato)

A metaphor illustrating the difference between the world of appearances and the world of reality, emphasizing the importance of knowledge.

The Doctrine of the Mean (Aristotle)

The principle that moral virtue lies in finding the mean between extremes.

Practical Wisdom (Phronesis) vs. Theoretical Wisdom (Sophia)

Practical wisdom involves applying knowledge for action, while theoretical wisdom is about understanding fundamental truths.

Social Contract Theory

The view that individuals agree, either explicitly or implicitly, to form societies and accept certain moral and political obligations.

Divine Command Theory

The ethical theory asserting that what is morally right is determined by God's commands.

Moral Relativism

The belief that morality is not absolute and can vary based on culture or individual perspective.

Karma in Buddhism

The principle that actions have consequences that affect one's future existence.

Four Foundations of Mindfulness

Buddha's teachings on the cultivation of mindfulness through awareness of body, feelings, mind, and mental objects.

Virtue as a Habit (Aristotle)

The idea that virtues are cultivated through practice and become a part of one's character.

Consequentialism

An ethical theory that judges actions based on their outcomes or consequences.

Deontology

An ethical theory that focuses on the morality of actions themselves rather than their outcomes.

Autonomy in Ethics

The capacity to make an informed, uncoerced decision; a critical aspect of moral agency.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory that promotes actions that maximize happiness and well-being for the majority.

Practical Reasoning

The process of figuring out what to do in practical situations, often involving ethical considerations.

Eudaimonia (Aristotle vs. Plato)

Aristotle views eudaimonia as achieved through virtue, while Plato sees it tied to the realm of the forms.