Christian Ethics Midterm Study Notes

Vocabulary practice flashcards defining the major ethical frameworks, primary philosophers, core concepts, and key terminology from the Christian Ethics midterm study notes.

Teleological ethics / Consequentialism

An ethical approach that evaluates an action by its ends or outcomes; moral judgments depend on the good or bad consequences produced by a decision.

Utilitarianism

A form of consequentialism associated with Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill that evaluates outcomes based on collective well-being, centered on the principle of the greatest happiness of the greatest number.

Cost-benefit analysis

A social or environmental assessment method used in utilitarianism that compares costs against benefits to estimate overall utility.

Deontological ethics

An ethics framework derived from the Greek word "deon" (duty or obligation) that focuses on duties, responsibilities, laws, and principles rather than outcomes alone.

Natural law theory

An ethical theory asserting that humans possess an intrinsic moral capacity and can use reason to discern an objective, supernatural moral order not merely constructed by culture or society.

Cicero's definition of true law

Right reason in agreement with nature, which is universal, unchanging, and everlasting.

Stoic philosophy (ethics)

A philosophical tradition emphasizing cosmic order, the divine spark, and the role of human reason in understanding natural law.

Thomas Aquinas

Medieval theologian who developed natural law theory and argued that natural theology and revealed theology are compatible, asserting that God's revealed commands develop and explain natural law rather than contradict it.

Natural-law goods

Basic goods identified in natural law theory, specifically: preserving life, reproduction, educating offspring, social life, and avoiding offense or wrongdoing (refraining from crime).

Naturalistic fallacy

The philosophical error of attempting to derive a normative "ought" directly from an empirical "is" (e.g., arguing that the human capacity or tendency to procreate implies an obligation to do so).

Immanuel Kant

Key modern philosopher (1724–1804) associated with deontological duty ethics, a priori moral reasoning, and the categorical imperative.

A priori moral knowledge

Moral understanding reached strictly through rational reflection rather than through empirical observation or the calculation of consequences.

Maxim

In Kantian ethics, a subjective general rule or principle of behavior that an agent applies to a particular situation (e.g., "never lie").

Categorical imperative (Universal law formulation)

Kant's supreme moral principle stating: "Act only on that maxim which you can at the same time will to be a universal law."

Respect-for-persons principle

Kant's deontological requirement to treat persons as ends in themselves and never merely as a means to an end.

Kant's four illustrations

Four specific duties demonstrating the categorical imperative: do not harm the self (no suicide), do not harm or deceive others (no lying), do what is good for the self (cultivate talents), and do what is good for others (beneficence).

Divine Command Theory

An ethical theory holding that an action is morally right or wrong strictly based on God's command or approval, grounding all moral rightness in God's will.

William of Ockham

Theologian associated with Divine Command Theory who maintained that an action becomes right simply because God wills it.

Emil Brunner

Theologian who wrote "The Divine Imperative" (1937), maintaining that morality centers on obedience to what God wills.

Euthyphro argument

A philosophical problem featured in Plato's dialogue involving Socrates that questions whether an action is morally good because God commands it, or whether God commands it because it is inherently good.

Situational ethics

An approach that rejects prescriptive, prefabricated rules, arguing instead that moral judgments must be made case by case according to the unique circumstances of each situation.

Reflective morality

An ethical perspective associated with John Dewey that emphasizes careful observation and reflection upon concrete situations instead of rigid adherence to a priori principles.

Pragmatic ethics

An ethical framework associated with Charles Sanders Peirce that rejects ethical absolutism and views moral principles as social constructs evaluated by their practical usefulness.

Eudaimonism / Virtue ethics

An ethical theory associated primarily with Aristotle that focuses on character cultivation and living well rather than merely adhering to external rules or calculating consequences.

Eudaimonia

Aristotle's concept of human flourishing or living well, achieved by performing the distinctively human function—reason—excellently.

Virtue formation

The Aristotelian developmental process wherein observing and imitating moral exemplars creates repeated habits, which in turn shape moral character.

Prudence (Phronesis)

An intellectual virtue in Aristotelian ethics developed through teaching and instruction, closely associated with moderation and practical moral judgment.