Introduction to Moral Reasoning Flashcards

These flashcards cover essential concepts and terminology related to moral reasoning as discussed in the lecture.

Moral Judgment

An assessment regarding whether something is morally right or wrong.

Personal Preference

An individual's liking or disliking of something that does not negate another’s opinion.

Philosophers

Individuals who study the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline.

Abortion

A medical procedure that ends a pregnancy, often a point of moral disagreement.

Moral Authority

A being or figure that is viewed as infallible regarding moral judgments.

Consequentialism

An ethical theory that judges whether or not something is right by what its consequences are.

Utilitarianism

A theory in normative ethics holding that the best action is the one that maximizes utility, usually defined as that which produces the greatest well-being of the greatest number.

Act-utilitarianism

The application of utilitarian principles to individual actions.

Rule-utilitarianism

The approach where the principle of utility is applied primarily to rules of action rather than to individual actions.

Deontological Theory

A type of normative ethical theory that judges the morality of an action based on rules or duties rather than consequences.

Basic Moral Rights

Rights that do not derive from other principles, ground moral duties independent of utilitarian considerations.

Legal Rights vs. Moral Rights

Moral rights are universal and inalienable, whereas legal rights depend on laws that may vary by jurisdiction.

Impartiality

Considering the interests of all parties without favoritism in moral judgments.

Coolness

Maintaining emotional calmness while forming moral judgments.

Correct Moral Principles

Moral principles that provide rational guidance applicable to free, rational beings.

Normative Ethics

The branch of ethics concerned with establishing what is right or wrong, focusing on moral principles that guide behavior.