Universal Values and Moral Character

A collection of flashcards designed to help students review key vocabulary and concepts related to universal values and moral character.

Value

Something an individual or community believes has worth that merits it being pursued, promoted, or privileged.

Desire vs Value

Desire is wanting something without much reflection, while a value arises after reflection on whether the desired thing is good.

Naturalistic Fallacy

The assumption that evaluative terms can match something in nature or reality, as argued by philosopher G. E. Moore.

Universal Values

Values that apply across all persons and communities as a result of their humanity.

Ethics

The study of morals, including their origins, uses, justifications, and relationships.

Morals

Principles that arise from rationality, while values might arise from social contexts or emotional dispositions.

Hans Kung

Catholic theologian who helped create a Parliament of World Religions and issued a Declaration Toward a Global Ethic.

Aristotle

Ancient Greek philosopher who believed in grounding ethics and values in empirical observation.

Mencius

Chinese philosopher who focused on moral theory based on virtues, particularly benevolence.

Virtues

Standards of excellence within particular activities as a guide for how to act.

Ren

Benevolence to others, an important virtue emphasized by Confucius.

Intellectual Virtues

Activities that engage in critical reflection, according to Aristotle.

Practical Virtues

Activities that pertain to political and social engagement, as per Aristotle.

Education and Virtues

Aristotle believed individuals need to be educated into the virtues.

Benevolence

The quality of being well-meaning; kindness and goodwill towards others.

Righteousness

The quality of being morally right; one of the four virtues proposed by Mencius.

Propriety

Behavior that is acceptable and expected within a certain social context; another virtue identified by Mencius.

Wisdom

The ability to make sound judgments, also regarded as a virtue by Mencius.

Dialectic Method

A method of engaging in debate and dialogue with diverse perspectives to achieve consensus.

Jürgen Habermas

Modern philosopher known for his dialectic approach towards ethics and politics.

Ideal Speech Situation

An imagined forum for ethical dialogue proposed by Habermas.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

A document that articulates universal human values, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.

Moral Character

The traits and qualities that determine a person's ethical behavior.

Evaluative Orientation

A perspective that distinguishes good from bad and prescribes what is good.

Ethical Sensitivity

The perception of moral and social situations and the ability to consider their repercussions.

Ethical Judgment

The consideration of alternative moral actions and the rationale for choosing among them.

Ethical Motivation

Commitment to selecting moral values in a given situation.

Ethical Action

The ability and social skills to carry out selected ethical alternatives.

Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development

A theory that identifies six stages of moral reasoning through three levels.

Preconventional Morality

Moral reasoning based on consequences and authority standards, typically observed in children.

Conventional Morality

Moral reasoning internalized from social rules, common in adolescents and adults.

Postconventional Morality

Moral reasoning based on universal ethical principles and individual judgment.

Heinz's Dilemma

A moral dilemma used in Kohlberg's research about moral reasoning and personal ethics.

Impartiality

The requirement that moral decisions should be made without bias or prejudice.

Self-Interested Impartiality

Choosing options based on rational self-interest rather than moral considerations.

Conscience

The power to discern what appears to be morally right or wrong.

Guilt vs Shame

Guilt is feeling responsible for a wrongdoing, while shame may occur over something uncontrollable.

Courage

The willingness to confront fear or pain for a good cause.

Moral Reasoning Model

A step-by-step approach to resolving moral dilemmas through ethical reflection.

Gathering Facts

The first step in resolving ethical dilemmas by clarifying the relevant details.

Determining Ethical Issues

Identifying competing interests that make up the moral dilemma.

Listing Alternatives

Brainstorming various possible courses of action to take in a situation.

Weighing Consequences

Considering both positive and negative outcomes of the alternatives before making a decision.

Consequentialism

The ethical theory that only the consequences of actions matter morally.

Deontology

An ethical framework focused on the morality of actions based on rules and duties, independent of consequences.

Justice as Fairness

John Rawls' theory on distributing resources in a manner that benefits all, based on principles chosen behind a veil of ignorance.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory stating actions are morally right if they maximize overall happiness or well-being.

Virtue Ethics

An ethical approach that emphasizes the importance of developing good character traits (virtues) for moral living.

Frames of Reference

The perspective through which individuals view situations, affecting ethical evaluations and decisions.

Moral Education

The process of instilling virtues and character traits through upbringing and education.

Ethical Implications

Understanding the moral aspects involved in decision-making contexts.