Normative Decision Making Lecture Review L2

These flashcards cover key concepts and ideas in normative decision making, including deontological ethics, virtue ethics, practical wisdom, consequentialism, and their applications in psychotherapy.

What is the key concept of Deontological Ethics?

An action is right if and only if it is in accordance with a moral rule or principle.

What principle does the Categorical Imperative express?

Not helping others is morally right only if the agent can consistently will that not helping others be a universal law.

What is Virtue Ethics according to Aristotle?

An action is right iff it is what the virtuous agent would do.

What are the four cardinal virtues?

Temperance, courage, prudence, and justice.

What does Practical Wisdom (Phronesis) involve?

The ability to draw the right distinctions and tell right from wrong.

What is the main idea behind Consequential Ethics?

An action is right iff it promotes the best consequences, linking actions to happiness.

What is Utilitarianism?

A theory that holds an act is right or wrong according to the utility or value of its consequences.

What are common problems with Utilitarianism?

It can lead to difficult moral dilemmas, such as prioritizing the life of a useful professional over a child.

In psychotherapy, how does deontological ethics apply?

It emphasizes adherence to ethical principles such as client confidentiality and informed consent.

What is the importance of moral conflict in decision making?

It highlights the tension between different moral philosophies, such as truth-telling and promoting well-being.