ethics semis ch. 5

reason

capacity for consciously making sense of things

impartiality

• also called evenhandedness or fair-mindedness

• a principle of justice holding that decisions should be based on objective criteria, rather than on the basis of bias

consequentialism

acts are deemed to be morally right solely on the basis of their consequences

moral subjectivism

right and wrong is determined by what you, the subject, just happens to think or feel is right or wrong

simple subjectivism

the view that ethical statements reflect sentiments, personal preferences and feelings rather than objective facts

individualist subjectivism

its a form of egoism, which maintains that every human being ought to pursue what is in his or her self interest exclusively

moral relativism

the view that for a thing to be morally right is for it to be approved of by society

ideal observer theory

that view that what is right is determined by the attitudes that a hypothetical ideal observer would have

ethical egoism

right and wrong is determined by what is in your self interest

utilitarianism

a theory that holds that the best way to make a moral decision is to look at the potential consequences of each available choice

deontology

focuses on the rightness or wrongness of actions themselves as opposed to the rightness or wrongness of the consequences of those actions

virtue ethics

only good people can make good moral decisions

eudaimonism

• classical formulation of virtue ethics

• it is achieved by developing and practicing virtues and using
  practical wisdom throughout one’s life.

• a flourishing life comes from living virtuously

ethics of care

• it emphasizes relationships, compassion, empathy, and responsibility toward others, especially those close to us.

• it argues that morality is grounded in care and maintaining relationships rather than in abstract rules.

• moral decisions should prioritize care and relationships.

moral relativism

• it is the view that there are no universal moral truths.

• what is right or wrong depends on cultural norms or individual beliefs. no one society’s morals are inherently better than another’s.

• morality depends on culture or personal perspective.