Utilitarianism and Asian Ethical Traditions

A collection of 50 vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture notes on Utilitarianism and Asian Ethical Traditions.

Utilitarianism

A moral theory that suggests actions are right if they promote happiness, defined by the predominance of pleasure over pain.

Consequentialism

A moral theory that judges actions based on their outcomes or consequences.

The Greatest Happiness Principle

Mill's assertion that actions are right if they promote happiness and wrong if they do not.

Happiness

Defined by Mill as pleasure and the absence of pain.

Dukkha

The first truth of Buddhism which states that life is suffering.

Karma

The concept that actions cause suffering, particularly through non-virtuous actions.

Nirvana

The state of liberation from suffering marked by the dissolution of the ego.

The Eightfold Path

A series of practices in Buddhism that lead to liberation and the end of suffering.

Rita

The foundational principle of order in the universe according to the Vedas.

Brahman

The ultimate reality from which all things originate and to which they ultimately return.

Atman

The self that underlies all being; considered eternal and unified with Brahman.

Moksha

The state of enlightenment that liberates a person from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

Confucianism

A system of ethics emphasizing moral order, the importance of human relationships, and virtue.

Discourse Ethics

A theory that rational people can arrive at a shared understanding of the good using reason.

Ecological Conscience

The awareness of one's duties towards the environment and the interconnectedness of life.

Biocentrism

The view that the rights and needs of all living beings are equally important.

Pleonexia

The vice of insatiable acquisitiveness, or the never-ending desire for more.

Self-Sacrifice

The act of placing the welfare of others above one's own, recognized in Mill's theory to promote happiness.

Epicurean Doctrine

A philosophy that posits the highest pleasure is intellectual and emotional, rather than merely physical.

Social Responsibility

The obligation of individuals to act for the benefit of society at large.

Transcendence

The state of going beyond ordinary limits or understanding, often in reference to suffering and existence.

Compassion

An essential quality emphasized in Asian ethical traditions, necessary for human fulfillment.

Confucius

A philosopher whose teachings focused on ethics, governance, and creating a harmonious society.

Jurgen Habermas

A philosopher known for his discourse theory and emphasis on consensus in society.

Environmental Ethics

A branch of ethics dealing with the moral relationship between humans and the natural environment.

Sentient Beings

All creatures capable of experiencing sensations and emotions, including humans and animals.

Suffering

The central issue addressed by Buddhism, referring to the inherent pain in human existence.

Virtue Ethics

An approach emphasizing an individual’s character as the key element of ethical thinking.

Dharma

The duty or moral order governing individual and societal behavior, pivotal in Hindu philosophy.

Human Flourishing

The ultimate goal in many ethical systems, aimed at achieving the highest potentials of humanity.

Moral Judgment

The instinctive ability to discern right from wrong, influenced by one's social and cultural context.

Rituals

Prescribed religious or ceremonial practices that reflect cultural and philosophical values.

Community

The social group that influences the cultivation of individual ethics and moral understanding.

Asceticism

A lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various pleasures, often for spiritual reasons.

Philosophical Inquiry

The critical examination and exploration of fundamental questions about existence, morality, and human life.

Fearlessness

A state that Mill associates with happiness and is considered freedom from anxiety or pain.

Relational Ethics

Ethics that emphasize the importance of social connections and responsibilities between individuals.

Karma Yoga

A path in Hinduism that emphasizes selfless action as a means to spiritual liberation.

Critical Thinking

Analyzing and evaluating an issue to form a judgment, essential in ethical considerations.

Suffering Transcendence

Reaching a state where one overcomes the illusions leading to suffering, a goal in Buddhism.

Philosophical Traditions

Established frameworks for ethical thought and understanding across cultures.

Cultural Comparison

Analyzing and contrasting different cultural practices and beliefs in moral philosophy.

Interconnectedness

The idea that all beings and their actions are related and affect one another.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of others, crucial for ethical living.

Harmonious Society

A society in which individuals act with moral responsibility toward each other, as per Confucian ideas.

Moral Obligation

A requirement to act in a certain way based on ethical or societal standards.

Societal Norms

Shared guidelines or rules that dictate acceptable conduct within a society.

Ritual Performance

The execution of established ceremonies which reflect cultural beliefs and ethical views.

Self-Cultivation

The process of personal development and ethical improvement in Asian philosophical traditions.

Global Ethics

A moral framework that considers the ethical implications of our actions on a global scale.