Ethics - Consequentialism and Kantian Ethics

These flashcards cover key concepts and terminology in ethics, particularly focusing on consequentialism and Kantian ethics, preparing the student for exam-related questions.

Consequentialism is a __ ethical system.

Results-based

the results of the act.

According to consequentialism, whether an act is right or wrong depends only on __.

__ states that people should maximize human welfare or well-being.

Utilitarianism

Hedonism states that people should maximize human __.

pleasure.

Act Consequentialism looks at every single moral choice __.

anew.

good.

An action is morally good only if it produces more overall __ than any alternative action.

Act

A flexible system that can take account of any set of circumstances is a characteristic of __ Consequentialism.

consequences.

Rule Consequentialism bases moral rules on their __.

Moral rules in Rule Consequentialism are chosen solely on the basis of their __.

consequences.

When making a moral choice, an individual can ask, 'Is there an __ rule to apply?'

appropriate.

An act is right if it results from the internalization of a set of rules that would maximize __ if adopted by most people.

good.

Rule Consequentialism is practical and efficient because it has done the hard work in deriving the __.

rules.

Kant was a moral __, believing in absolute moral principles.

absolutist.

Hypothetical imperatives are contingent on our __.

desires.

Kant viewed morality in terms of __ Imperatives that must be followed regardless of our desires.

Categorical.

We must act according to the principle of action that can be made a __ law.

universal.

The Formula of Humanity states that we should treat humanity always as an __.

end.

Utilitarianism focuses on the __ of our actions.

results.

Act Utilitarianism suggests you should choose the action that produces the __ good for the greatest number.

greatest.

Rule Utilitarianism is about living by rules that generally lead to the greatest good for the __ number.

greatest.

The principle of utilitarianism emphasizes producing good for the __ good.

greater.

The actions of others should be viewed from the position of a __ spectator.

benevolent.

Kant's four formulations of the Categorical Imperative guide us in figuring out what is __.

moral.

In Rule Consequentialism, individuals don't have to carry out difficult __ before taking action.

research.

Moral rules are judged based on their ability to produce the best __ if most adopt them.

results.

Kant derived our moral obligations from __ reason.

pure.

Making exceptions for oneself contradicts the Universalizability __.

Principle.

Kant posited that actions should never treat individuals as __.

mere means.

Overall goodness is __ when moral rules are followed in a general sense.

maximized

The impracticality of Act Consequentialism as a general moral process means we often don't have to worry about its __ consequences.

bad.

Rule Consequentialism addresses the issues faced by Act Consequentialism by focusing on __ rules rather than individual acts.

general.