Ethics of Decision Making in Moral Dilemmas

These flashcards cover key concepts and ethical dilemmas discussed in the lecture regarding utilitarianism, deontology, and moral decision-making.

Trolley Problem

A moral dilemma that poses a choice between pulling a lever to divert a runaway trolley, sacrificing one person to save five.

Surgeon Case

A scenario where a surgeon must decide whether to kill a receptionist to harvest their organs to save multiple patients.

Premeditation

The act of planning a crime before committing it, raising moral and legal implications for actions taken.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory that posits the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or utility.

Deontology

An ethical theory that emphasizes rules and duties, asserting that the rightness of an action is determined by whether it follows moral laws.

Split-second Decision

A decision made in a very short time period, often without deliberation, which raises ethical considerations.

Pre-punishment

The concept of punishing someone for a crime they have not yet committed, raising ethical questions regarding justice.

Moral Equivalence

The principle that individuals have the same moral status and should be treated equally in ethical considerations.

Psychological Distance

A concept in ethics where the perceived emotional closeness or distance to a situation affects moral decision-making.

Action vs. Inaction

A central theme in ethical dilemmas where the consequences of taking action are compared to the consequences of not acting.