PHL-101-A Final

Moral Status

The intrinsic value that a being holds that warrants moral consideration and respect.

Autonomy

The ability to make one's own decisions and govern oneself, reflecting the capacity for moral agency.

Equal Consideration

The ethical principle that all beings deserve equal consideration of their interests regardless of species.

Sentience

The capacity of a being to feel, perceive, and experience subjective experiences such as pleasure and pain.

Cultural Relativism

The belief that moral values are determined by cultural context and that no moral standards are universally applicable.

Egoism

The ethical theory that focuses on the self as the primary concern, often leading to self-serving justifications.

Kant's Categorical Imperative

A moral principle that suggests one should only act according to maxims that can be universally applied without contradiction.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory that determines the morality of actions based on their consequences, aiming to maximize overall happiness.

Quality of Life

A measure of the general well-being of individuals and societies, including health, comfort, and happiness.

Speciesism

Discrimination against beings based solely on their species, treating one's own species as superior to others.