Ethics Review for Preliminary Exam

External Authority

Guides behavior through societal norms and laws.

Internal Authority

Guides behavior based on personal values and conscience.

Abortion

Legally permitted in the US, deemed immoral by Catholic Church.

Freedom of Expression

Illegal in North Korea, but morally accepted elsewhere.

Law

System of rules regulating societal behavior.

Cultural Relativism

No universal moral code applies to all cultures.

Ethics

Study of values significant to human life.

Ethos

Greek term meaning tradition, habit, or character.

Morals

Specific beliefs or attitudes regarding right and wrong.

Ideal Human Behavior

Ethics studies optimal ways of thinking and acting.

Philosophy

Ethics is a branch of philosophical study.

Moral Standards

Guidelines for permissible and unacceptable actions.

Applied Ethics

Application of ethical theories to real-life situations.

Moral Dilemma

Choosing between conflicting moral principles.

Beauchamp and Childress

Ethics examines morality in various contexts.

Prescriptive Ethics

Guidelines for determining correct moral actions.

Meta-Ethics

Explores the nature of ethical terms and concepts.

Acts of Man

Indifferent actions not requiring decision-making.

Human Acts

Actions that involve conscious decision-making.

Good or Bad Classification

Human acts can be morally evaluated.

Fact Gathering

Essential first step in resolving ethical dilemmas.

Ethical Analysis

Reflection on facts to make informed decisions.

Ethical Issues

Conflicting interests causing ethical dilemmas.

Competing Interests

Conflicts between different ethical goods.

Ethical Dilemma Format

Present issues as ______ versus ______.

Business Ethics Conflict

Profit versus community obligation, especially environmental.

Moral Values

Central principles in conflicting ethical positions.

Social Contract

Theoretical consideration of societal rights and values.

Individual Rights

Focus on personal rights within societal context.

External Authority

Guidance from societal norms and legal systems.

Internal Authority

Guidance from personal values and conscience.

Law

Rules established by governing authorities.

Legal vs. Moral

Not all legal actions are moral.

Biblical Principles

Heavily weighted moral principles in ethical cases.

Constitutional Principles

Legal principles derived from the constitution.

Natural Law Principles

Ethical principles based on human nature.

Mission and Calling

Personal principles influencing ethical decision-making.

Alternative Courses of Action

Various options to resolve ethical dilemmas.

Creative Thinking

Generating high-quality alternatives for ethical issues.

Compare Alternatives

Eliminating options based on moral principles.

Clear Decision

Resolution through comparison of principles and alternatives.

Weigh Consequences

Consider positive and negative outcomes of alternatives.

Positive Consequences

Benefits resulting from a particular ethical choice.

Negative Consequences

Drawbacks or harms from a particular ethical choice.

Informal weighing

Evaluating consequences without strict criteria.

Decision-making

Process of choosing among alternatives.

Ethical dilemmas

Situations with no easy or painless solutions.

Least problematic choice

Selecting option with minimal negative consequences.

Individual exchange

Acting in one's own best interests.

Mutual conformity

Seeking approval from others in behavior.

Polygamy in Islam

Morally acceptable marital practice in Islamic culture.

Dinuguan consumption

Considered immoral by some religions, accepted by Catholics.

Cultural judgment

Inability to assess other cultures' ethical practices.

Cultural relativism

No objective truth in morality across cultures.

Moral codes

Different cultures possess unique ethical standards.

Moral progress

Societies can enhance their moral standards over time.

Critique of cultural relativism

Moral beliefs shaped by culture, lacking universality.

Law and Order

Respecting laws and authority to maintain social order.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Affirms freedom and dignity for all individuals.

Inalienable rights

Rights that cannot be surrendered or transferred.

Social and cultural rights

Rights essential for individual dignity and freedom.

Relative beliefs

All beliefs are context-dependent within cultures.

James Rachels

Philosopher advocating for moral progress and critique of relativism.

Objective morality

Belief in universal moral truths beyond cultural differences.

Cultural ethics

Ethical standards shaped by cultural context.

Lawrence Kohlberg

Proponent of moral development theory.

Moral Development

Concept of right and wrong evolution.

Pre-conventional Level

Focus on punishment and individual exchange.

Conventional Level

Emphasis on conformity and law adherence.

Post-conventional Level

Based on social contracts and ethical principles.

Stage 1

Obedience and punishment orientation.

Stage 2

Individualism and exchange; redistributive approach.

Stage 3

Social approval and good interpersonal relationships.

Stage 4

Upholding social order and laws.

Stage 5

Social contract and individual rights.

Stage 6

Universal ethical principles guiding morality.

Pre-conventional Morality

Typical for ages 0-9 years.

Naively Egotistical

Focus on personal viewpoint and reciprocity.

Good Boy-Good Girl Orientation

Peer approval and intentions are valued.

Legalistic Social Contract

Change in law possible through the system.

Universal Ethical Principles

High moral standards; dignity of humanity.

Obedience and Punishment

Right and wrong defined by punishment.

Cultural Moral Beliefs

Unquestioned beliefs may hinder moral progress.

Subjectivism

Individual thought central to moral valuations.

Psychological Egoism

Self-interest drives all human actions.

Ethical Egoism

Self-interest should be our primary concern.

Cultural Relativism

Morality varies based on cultural facts.

Duties to Others

Not harming, lying, or breaking promises.

Ayn Rand's Philosophy

Personal happiness is the highest moral purpose.

Internal Authority

Guidance from personal values and moral beliefs.

Culture

Differences in aesthetics and etiquette across societies.

Moral Standards

Criteria for good and proper behavior.

Standards of Etiquette

Conventional practices governing social behavior.

Legal Standards

Laws established by governmental authority.

Religious Standards

Moral guidelines from scriptures and commandments.

Morality

Individual character and principles of right conduct.

Act of Man

Actions that are amoral and indifferent.

Moral Decision

Choice made in a moral dilemma situation.

Act with Integrity

Choosing options reflecting personal integrity despite challenges.

Ethical Principles

Guidelines like honesty, fairness, and respect.