Consequentialism

Consequentialism

A theory that determines the rightness or wrongness of an act based solely on the intrinsic goodness or badness of its consequences.

Deontology

An ethical theory focused on the adherence to rules or duties in determining the morality of actions.

Virtue Ethics

An ethical approach that considers the character and virtues of the person performing the action.

Intrinsic Good

Good in itself or desirable for its own sake.

Instrumental Good

Good that is desired for the sake of something else.

Hedonism

The view that pleasure is the only intrinsic good and pain is the only intrinsic evil.

Agent-relative Consequentialism

The moral relevance of consequences is determined by their relation to the agent.

Agent-neutral Consequentialism

Consequences that are relevant to morality regardless of the agent's relationship to them.

Non-hedonism

The rejection of hedonism, asserting that pleasure is not the only intrinsic good.

Exclusive Non-hedonism

Rejecting hedonism and asserting that pleasure is not an intrinsic good.

Inclusive Non-hedonism

Rejecting hedonism while acknowledging that pleasure is not the only intrinsic good.

Utilitarianism

The moral philosophy that evaluates actions based on their outcomes, aiming to maximize aggregate welfare.

Welfarism

The principle that moral considerations should focus on the well-being or welfare outcomes.

Aggregationism

The view that the moral relevance of outcomes is based on the total overall sum of welfare.

Quantitative Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism that focuses on the quantity of pleasure produced.

Qualitative Utilitarianism

An approach to utilitarianism that recognizes differences in the quality of pleasures.

Preference Utilitarianism

The form of utilitarianism that holds that satisfying preferences, rather than maximizing pleasure, should be the goal.

Pluralistic Utilitarianism

A form of utilitarianism that recognizes multiple intrinsic goods.

Act Utilitarianism

Evaluates the morality of an act based on whether it maximizes aggregate good.

Rule Utilitarianism

Determines the morality of an act based on whether it adheres to a rule that generally produces maximum aggregate good.

G.E. Moore's Open Question Argument

The argument that the meaning of 'good' cannot be defined merely in terms of pleasure.

Cyrenaic Hedonism

A form of hedonism that prioritizes the most intense sensual pleasures in the moment.

Epicurean Hedonism

The philosophy that values pleasure but acknowledges limitations and the frustrations that arise from seeking intense pleasures.

Agent-relative Hedonism

A perspective that suggests only the pleasures affecting the agent hold moral significance.

Sensory Experience

Pleasurable sensations that are unique to the individual and don't relate to absolute objective knowledge.

Intrinsically Valuable

Refers to aspects considered valuable in and of themselves, rather than for their consequences.

Moral Relevance

The importance of certain effects or consequences when evaluating the morality of actions.

Maximizing Aggregate Welfare

The goal of utilitarianism, which is to promote the greatest overall good for the greatest number.

Greater Happiness Principle

An ethical guideline suggesting that actions should be judged by the happiness they produce.

Mill's Version of Utilitarianism

Emphasizes the qualitative differences between pleasures and promotes higher intellectual pleasures over base pleasures.

Bentham's Hedonistic Calculus

A method for calculating the maximization of pleasure by assessing various factors of happiness.

Right Attitude towards Misery

An ethical consideration indicating the moral response required towards those in suffering.

Desirability of Beauty

The ethical perspective on appreciating beauty as an intrinsic good.

Consequentialism vs. Deontology

A contrast between evaluating ethics based on outcomes (consequentialism) versus rules/duties (deontology).