Chapter I- What is Ethics

Ethics

The philosophical study of what is right and wrong in human behavior.

Moral philosophy

The science of what is good and evil in human society and conversation.

Philosophy of Man

The philosophical inquiry into human existence, values, and the relationship to the Supreme being.

Ethical norms

Guidelines that help determine what is good and evil in human actions.

Free choice

The ability to make decisions without external constraints, influenced by personal values and beliefs.

Consumerism

The protection of the interests of consumers, often leading to ethical questions about production.

Unconscious biases

Prejudices or preferences stemming from personal beliefs that affect perceptions and decisions.

Colored lenses of our souls

Metaphor for how personal beliefs and experiences influence our view of right and wrong.

Genesis 1:1-5

Biblical passage describing the creation of the heavens and the earth, signifying the beginning of everything.

Decision-making and ethics

The process of evaluating right from wrong based on personal values, experiences, and beliefs.

Utilitarianism

A consequentialist theory that assumes the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness.

Deontology

An ethical theory that emphasizes duties and rules over consequences.

Virtue Ethics

A moral theory that focuses on the character of the moral agent rather than on specific actions.

Consequentialism

The ethical theory that judges actions by their outcomes or consequences.

Social Contract Theory

The view that persons' moral and political obligations arise from an agreement among them to form a society.

Altruism

Selflessly concerned for the well-being of others, often at the expense of one's own interests.

Cultural Relativism

The belief that ethical truths depend on the cultural context in which they exist.

Normative Ethics

The branch of ethics that examines standards for the rightness and wrongness of actions.

Ethical Dilemma

A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more morally acceptable options.

Meta-ethics

The study of the nature of morality, including the meaning of ethical terms and the origins of ethical principles.

Moral Absolutism

The belief that there are absolute standards against which moral questions can be judged, and that certain actions are right or wrong regardless of the context.

Pragmatism

An approach to ethics that focuses on the practical consequences of actions and their effectiveness in real-world situations.

Positive Ethics

A framework focusing on fostering positive outcomes and virtues in ethical decision-making.

Negative Rights

Rights that require others (typically the government) to abstain from interfering with individual actions.

Positive Rights

Rights that require action or provision of services by others, often the government.

Appraisal of Character

The evaluation of an individual's character traits and virtues in moral philosophy.

Interpersonal Ethics

The ethical considerations that arise in interactions between individuals.

Environmental Ethics

The study of the moral relationship between human beings and the natural environment.

Business Ethics

The study of appropriate business policies and practices regarding potentially controversial subjects.

Animal Rights

The belief that animals have inherent rights and that their welfare should be protected.

Justice Theories

Theories that examine the concept of fairness in the distribution of goods and services.

Duty Ethics

An ethical approach focused on the concept of duty as the basis for moral reasoning.

Right to Privacy

The right of individuals to keep personal information secret and free from governmental interference.

Distributive Justice

The equitable allocation of resources among diverse members of a community.

Restorative Justice

A justice model focused on repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior through reconciliation.

Ethical Relativism

The idea that morality is relative to the cultural, social, or personal circumstances.

Transcendental Ethics

A theory that suggests moral obligations come from a source beyond human experience.

Human Rights

The basic rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to, regardless of nationality, sex, ethnicity, religion, or any other status.

Principlism

A method for resolving ethical dilemmas by applying four key principles: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.

Objective Morality

The belief that certain actions are intrinsically right or wrong, independent of individual opinions.

Subjective Morality

The belief that moral judgments are based on personal feelings and opinions rather than objective standards.