Ethics and Moral Philosophy Flashcards

Flashcards for Ethics and Moral Philosophy vocabulary.

Ethics

The set of rules or principles that guide people in deciding what is good or bad, right or wrong.

Moral Philosophy

A broader field that explores the origins, existence, and justification of ethical rules.

Moral Reasoning

The process of thinking about what is right and wrong.

Moral Dilemma

A situation where one must choose between two actions, each with both good and bad aspects.

Normative Ethics

Focuses on establishing standards or norms for behavior.

Metaethics

Explores the nature of ethical statements and judgments.

Applied Ethics

Application of ethics into real-world problem. It attempts to answer the question “how people should act in specific situation.

Consequentialism

The rightness or wrongness of actions depends on their outcomes or consequences.

Act Consequentialism

Judges each action based on its specific outcomes.

Rule Consequentialism

Judges actions based on whether following certain rules leads to the best outcomes in the long run.

Deontology

Actions are right or wrong in themselves, regardless of outcomes.

Duty-Based Ethics

Moral duties (e.g., telling the truth) must be followed, regardless of results.

Categorical Imperative

Act only in ways that you believe everyone should act.

Virtue Ethics

Focuses on the character of the moral agent rather than rules or consequences.

Character Over Action

Ethical behavior comes from being a good person.

The Golden Mean

Virtue lies between two extremes (excess and deficiency).

Justice

Refers to fairness and the principle that individuals should be treated equally and with respect.

Distributive Justice

Fair distribution of resources and benefits.

Retributive Justice

Punishment for wrongdoing.

Restorative Justice

Repairing harm caused by criminal behavior.

Social Justice

Equality and fair treatment for all, especially marginalized groups.

Human Rights

Basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person from birth until death.

Ethical Relativism

What’s right or wrong depends on the culture, situation, or personal beliefs. Morality isn’t the same everywhere.

Moral Absolutism

Some things are always right or wrong, no matter the culture or situation.

Free Will

The ability to make your own choices, without being forced by outside factors.

Moral Responsibility

Being accountable for your actions and how they affect others.

Determinism

The idea that our choices are influenced by things outside our control, like our genes or environment.

Business Ethics

Doing the right thing in business, like being honest, fair, and treating people well.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Businesses taking care of people and the planet, not just making money.

Environmental Ethics

Understanding our responsibility to care for the planet, ensuring that our actions today don’t harm the Earth for future generations.

Anthropocentrism

The idea that nature’s value comes from how it benefits humans, often putting human needs above the environment.

Biocentrism

It believes that all living things, from animals to plants, have value and deserve respect, regardless of their usefulness to humans.

Ecocentrism

Values entire ecosystems—rivers, mountains, forests, and all living things—as interconnected and worth protecting.

Deforestation

Is the large-scale cutting down of forests, often for farming or building, which destroys habitats and reduces biodiversity.

Climate Change

Is the long-term shift in global weather patterns, largely caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels.

Water Pollution

It happens when harmful chemicals or waste are dumped into rivers, lakes, or oceans, making the water unsafe for animals and people.

Overfishing

Occurs when too many fish are caught, leaving too few to reproduce and disrupting the balance of marine life.

Animal Rights

Is about treating animals with kindness and respect, opposing practices like factory farming or hunting that cause them harm.

Sustainable Development

Is about meeting our needs today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Economic Sustainability

Growing the economy in a way that doesn’t harm the environment or society in the long run.

Environmental Sustainability

Is about protecting natural resources like water, air, and forests so they can support life for generations to come.

Social Sustainability

Is about creating a fair and just society where everyone has access to basic needs like education, healthcare, and opportunities.

Bioethics

Focuses on ethical issues in biology, medicine, technology, and global health.

Medical Ethics

Focuses on patient care, doctor-patient relationships, and clinical decisions.

Autonomy

The principle that patients have the right to decide for themselves.

Beneficence

The principle to act in the patient’s best interest.

Non-maleficence

The principle to do no harm and avoid unnecessary risks.

Justice

The principle of fair and equal treatment for all patients.

Political Ethics

Knowing what is right and wrong in politics. It helps leaders make good and fair decisions.

Governance

How the government makes and carries out decisions to serve the people.

Bribery

Paying money to get favors.

Nepotism

Hiring family members, not based on skills.

Ghost Projects

Fake projects used to steal government money.

Vote-Buying

Giving money or items in exchange for votes.

Political Dynasties

When political power stays within one family.

Globalization

Countries and people become more connected through business, culture, and technology.

Exploitation of Labor

Workers are underpaid and overworked.

Child and Forced Labor

Kids or poor people made to work in bad conditions.

Job Loss in Rich Countries

Companies move jobs to cheaper countries.

Economic Inequality

Rich get richer, poor stay poor.

Intersectional Ethics

Looks at how different parts of a person’s identity (like race, gender, or income) affect how they are treated.

Ethics of Care

Focuses on helping and caring for others, especially those who need support.

Animal Ethics

Focuses on how we treat animals and if they deserve rights and fair treatment.

AI Transparency

The ability of an AI system to be understood, audited, and evaluated by humans; a key aspect of responsible AI, ensuring transparency in decision-making processes.