Ethical Decision Making and Moral Philosophy

A set of flashcards covering key concepts and terminology from the lecture on moral philosophy and decision making.

Conscience

An inner sense of right and wrong that guides one's moral decisions.

Emotions

Psychological responses that influence decision making and moral judgments.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory that considers an action right if it promotes the greatest good for the greatest number.

Moral Dilemma

A situation in which a person faces conflicting moral choices.

Normative Ethics

The study of the principles that guide actions and judgments about what people ought to do.

Descriptive Ethics

The study of people's beliefs about morality, without making judgments about those beliefs.

Metaethics

The study of the meaning and logical structure of moral beliefs and judgments.

Applied Ethics

The practical application of moral norms to specific ethical issues in various fields.

Instrumental Value

Value that something has as a means to achieve a desired end.

Intrinsic Value

Value that something has in itself, for its own sake.

Harm Reduction

An ethical approach aimed at minimizing negative consequences of an action.

Social Contract

An implicit agreement among members of a society to cooperate for social benefits.

Moral Principle

A fundamental belief that guides ethical behavior and decision making.

Legal Liability

The legal responsibility one may bear for actions that cause harm to others.

Justice

The concept of moral rightness based on ethics, law, fairness, and equity.

Personal Responsibility

The idea that individuals are accountable for their actions and their consequences.

Trolley Problem

A thought experiment in ethics that explores the moral implications of making life-and-death decisions.

Crito

A dialogue by Plato in which Socrates discusses the justifiability of escaping punishment.

Moral Value

A principle that helps define what is considered good or bad in a moral context.

Duty-Based Ethics

An ethical theory that emphasizes obligations and duties when making moral decisions.