Moral Philosophy and Ethics (Chapters 5 and 6 (Quiz 2))

Consequentialism

an action is morally required just because it produces the best overall results

Act utilitarianism

an action is morally required just because it does more to improve overall well-being than any other action you could have done in the circumstances—this is called the principle of utility

Decision procedure

a method that allows us to reliably make the
right decisions about what to do

Standard of rightness

tells us the conditions under which actions are
morally right

Utilitarianism

standard of rightness

Rule consequentialism

an action is morally right just because it is required by an optimific social rule

Greatest Happiness Principle

actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness

Happiness

pleasure and the absence of pain

Unhappiness

pain and the privation of pleasure

Impartiality

Everyone’s well-being counts equally

Optimific Action

An action is optimific if it yields the greatest balance of good over bad outcomes

Principle of Utility

Actions are morally right if they maximize overall happiness or well-being

Kantian ethics

Focuses on the intentions behind actions rather than their consequences

Principle of Universalizability

An action is morally acceptable if and only if its maxim is universalizable

Supererogatory Actions

Actions that are admirable and praiseworthy but not obligatory

Principle of Humanity

Always treat humanity, whether in yourself or others, as an end and never merely as a means

Hypothetical Imperative

Commands based on desires or whatever is needed to get what we care about

Utilitarianism is not

decision procedure

Good Will

The only thing valuable “without limitation and steady disposition to act from duty

Categorical Imperative

rational requirements that apply to a person regardless of what she cares about or desires.

Maxim

A principle that one gives to oneself when acting

Act from Duty

Doing one's duty for the sake of doing one's duty, not to serve one's desires