Ethics

A set of flashcards covering key concepts in ethics, including Natural Law, Situation Ethics, Kantian Ethics, Utilitarianism, and more.

Natural Law

A moral theory that emphasizes moral principles discoverable through human reason, established by Thomas Aquinas.

Synderesis

An innate principle that drives individuals to do good and avoid evil.

Primary Precepts

Fundamental moral principles necessary for human flourishing according to Aquinas.

Doctrine of Double Effect

A principle stating that an action causing a bad effect is permissible if the intention is good.

Cultural Relativism

The belief that moral codes differ between societies, challenging the universality of moral principles.

Agape

Selfless Christian love that serves as the key principle of Situation Ethics.

Categorical Imperative

A universal moral law based on reason, proposed by Immanuel Kant.

Hedonic Calculus

A method proposed by Bentham for measuring happiness based on factors such as intensity and duration.

Voluntary Euthanasia

Ending life at a person's request.

Business Ethics

The study of ethical practices in commerce and corporate behavior.

Meta-Ethics

The study of the nature, meaning, and foundations of ethical language and concepts.

Emotivism

The view that moral statements express emotional attitudes.

Sexual Ethics

An area of ethics that deals with issues regarding sexual conduct and morality.

Utilitarianism

A moral theory that evaluates the moral worth of actions based on their consequences for overall happiness.

Fletcher's Four Working Principles

Pragmatism, Relativism, Positivism, Personalism - principles developed by Joseph Fletcher for Situation Ethics.

Shareholder Theory

The perspective that businesses primarily exist to maximize shareholder profits.

Stakeholder Theory

The view that businesses have responsibilities to all stakeholders, not just shareholders.

Critique of Natural Law

Cultural relativism challenges the universality of moral codes proposed by Natural Law.

How does Natural Law respond to cultural relativism?

Basic goods are shared; differences arise from misinterpretation.

What does Karl Barth argue against Natural Law?

Human reason is too corrupted by sin to discover moral truth.

How does modern science challenge Natural Law?

Evolution does not suggest purpose (telos), but random development.

Who developed Situation Ethics?

Joseph Fletcher.

What are the three approaches to ethics identified by Fletcher?

Legalism, Antinomianism, Situationism.

Which approach does Fletcher advocate?

Situationism.

What is the key principle of Situation Ethics?

Agape (selfless Christian love).

List Fletcher’s Four Working Principles.

Pragmatism, Relativism, Positivism, Personalism.

What does Pragmatism mean in Situation Ethics?

The moral action must work in practice.

What does Relativism mean in Situation Ethics?

No fixed rules; depends on the situation.

What does Positivism mean in Situation Ethics?

Belief in love is a choice of faith.

What does Personalism mean in Situation Ethics?

People come before laws or rules.

What are Fletcher’s Six Fundamental Principles?

Love is the only good, love is the ruling norm, justice is love distributed, love wills the good of others, only the end justifies the means, love’s decisions are made situationally.

What is Fletcher’s view of conscience?

Conscience is a process, not a faculty.

What is a criticism of Situation Ethics from Barclay?

It gives too much moral freedom to individuals.

What is a theological criticism of Situation Ethics?

It rejects the objective authority of scripture.

How does Fletcher respond to critiques of subjectivity?

Agape provides a consistent, selfless guide.

What biblical story does Fletcher use to justify situationism?

Jesus healing on the Sabbath.

On what basis did Kant build his ethical theory?

Pure reason.

What is the Categorical Imperative?

A universal moral law based on reason, not desires.

What is the First Formulation of the Categorical Imperative?

Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.

What is the Second Formulation of the Categorical Imperative?

Treat humanity always as an end, never merely as a means.

What is the Third Formulation of the Categorical Imperative?

Act as though you are a legislating member of a kingdom of ends.

What is a hypothetical imperative?

A conditional command based on desire (e.g., "If you want X, do Y").

What are Kant’s three postulates of practical reason?

Freedom, immortality, and God.

What is the significance of duty in Kant’s ethics?

Only actions done out of duty have moral worth.

What is the murderer at the door problem?

Telling the truth might lead to harm, but lying violates duty.

How does Kant respond to conflicting duties?

True duties never conflict if properly reasoned.

What is a key criticism of Kant’s moral system?

It can be rigid and ignore consequences.

What is another criticism of Kant regarding emotions?

It undervalues moral emotions like love and compassion.

Who is the founder of classical Utilitarianism?

Jeremy Bentham.

What is Bentham’s principle of utility?

The greatest happiness for the greatest number.

What tool did Bentham propose for measuring happiness?

The Hedonic Calculus.

List some factors in the Hedonic Calculus.

Intensity, duration, certainty, propinquity, fecundity, purity, extent.

Who developed Rule Utilitarianism?

John Stuart Mill.

What is the main idea of Rule Utilitarianism?

Following rules that generally promote the greatest happiness.

What is Mill’s concept of higher and lower pleasures?

Higher pleasures are intellectual; lower pleasures are bodily.

What is a criticism of Bentham’s Utilitarianism?

It justifies immoral acts if they maximize happiness.

How does Mill’s Rule Utilitarianism attempt to fix Bentham’s problem?

By protecting individual rights through general rules.

What is Act Utilitarianism?

Each action is judged individually for the amount of happiness produced.

What is Preference Utilitarianism?

Promoting the fulfillment of people’s preferences.

What is voluntary euthanasia?

Ending life at a person’s request.

What is non-voluntary euthanasia?

Ending life when the person cannot consent (e.g., in a coma).

What is active euthanasia?

Direct action taken to end life (e.g., lethal injection).

What is passive euthanasia?

Withholding treatment to allow death.

How does Natural Law view euthanasia?

Morally wrong — it violates the preservation of life.

How might Situation Ethics approach euthanasia?

If love is best served, it can be justified.

How does Utilitarianism approach euthanasia?

If it reduces suffering and increases happiness, it can be justified.

What is the slippery slope argument regarding euthanasia?

Allowing it could lead to abuse and involuntary deaths.

How is autonomy used to justify euthanasia?

Respecting individuals’ right to choose the manner and timing of their death.

What is the primary focus of Business Ethics?

Ensuring ethical practices in commerce and corporate behavior.

What is shareholder theory?

Businesses exist primarily to maximize shareholder profits.

What is stakeholder theory?

Businesses have a responsibility to all stakeholders, not just shareholders.

How might Kantian Ethics criticize certain business practices?

Using employees

How would Utilitarianism assess business decisions?

By the consequences for overall happiness and welfare.

What is whistleblowing?

Reporting unethical or illegal business practices.

What are criticisms of corporate social responsibility (CSR)?

It may be used as PR rather than genuine ethics.

What is meta-ethics?

The study of the meaning and nature of ethical language.

What is ethical naturalism?

Moral properties are natural properties, knowable through experience.

What is ethical non-naturalism?

Moral properties are not part of the natural world.

What is the Naturalistic Fallacy according to G.E. Moore?

Mistaking descriptive statements for prescriptive ones.

What is emotivism?

Moral statements are expressions of emotional attitudes.

What is prescriptivism?

Moral statements prescribe actions and are universalizable.

What did Aquinas believe about conscience?

It is the application of reason to moral decisions.

What is synderesis according to Aquinas?

A natural disposition to do good and avoid evil.

What is Freud’s view of conscience?

A product of the unconscious mind shaped by parental authority (super-ego).

What is Butler’s view of conscience?

A God-given intuitive guide to right action.

How does Newman view conscience?

The voice of God within the individual.

What was the traditional Christian view on sex?

Reserved for marriage and procreation.

What does Natural Law say about contraception?

It is wrong because it frustrates the telos of sex (procreation).

How does Situation Ethics approach issues like premarital sex?

If love is best served, it can be acceptable.

What is Kant’s view on adultery?

It treats a person merely as a means to an end.

How does Utilitarianism approach homosexuality?

If it increases happiness without harm, it is morally acceptable.

What is the Catholic view on homosexuality?

Homosexual acts are sinful, but orientation itself is not sinful.

What is the liberal Christian view on sexuality?

Emphasizes love, fidelity, and commitment regardless of gender.