Ethics Frameworks, Moral Dispositions, and Moral Development Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards generated from lecture notes covering virtue ethics, Thomistic law and cardinal virtues, human acts, moral decision-making approaches, moral values, and Kohlberg's stages of moral development.

Summum Bonum

The highest good and the ultimate aim of human actions, which, if consistently pursued, leads to the best possible life.

Telos

Aristotle's concept of the inherent purpose or ultimate reason for each thing being the way it is.

Eudaimonia

Human happiness, completion, perfection, or well-being, identified by ancient philosophers as the final end or summum bonum.

Virtue Ethics

An ethical framework holding that virtue is a natural endowment brought to life by discerning good through natural moral judgment guided by right reason, practiced habitually.

Principle of Moderation

Aristotle's principle (the mean) stating that a good and happy life lies within rational bounds between vicious extremes of excess and deficiency.

Law (St. Thomas Aquinas)

An ordinance of reason promulgated by competent authority for the sake of the common good.

Natural Law

The law by which God in His divine providence directs creation, manifested in human beings through their practical moral judgment to do good and avoid evil.

Prudence

A cardinal virtue of practical wisdom and sound judgment involving the ability to make good decisions, discern right from wrong, and choose the best course of action.

Fortitude

A cardinal virtue (also known as courage) of moral and physical strength in the face of adversity or fear, enabling one to confront challenges and stand firm in moral convictions.

Justice

A cardinal virtue involving treating others with fairness, respecting their rights and dignity, and upholding the principles of equity in society.

Temperance

A cardinal virtue of self-control and moderation that manages desires and appetites in a balanced and restrained manner to preserve inner harmony.

Human Act

An activity proceeding from the deliberate free will of man, requiring knowledge, freedom, and voluntariness to be subject to moral obligation.

Categorical Imperative

Immanuel Kant's concept that humans possess the ability to act on purely conscious moral reasoning governed by a universal moral principle.

Moral Sentiments

David Hume's theory that morals are derived not from cognitive reasoning, but from immediate emotional passions akin to bodily feelings.

Utilitarian Approach

An approach to moral decision-making focused on producing the greatest net benefit and minimizing harm to maximize overall happiness or utility.

Rights Approach

An approach to moral decision-making centered on respecting and protecting the fundamental, inherent rights and liberties of individuals.

Fairness or Justice Approach

An approach to moral decision-making concerned with ensuring equitable treatment, non-discrimination, and just distribution of benefits and burdens.

Common Good Approach

An approach to moral decision-making prioritizing actions that contribute to the social well-being and benefit of the broader community as a whole.

Virtue Approach

An approach to moral decision-making focused on choosing actions that develop and reflect virtuous character traits like honesty, compassion, and integrity.

Impartiality

A principle of justice holding that moral decisions must be based on objective criteria rather than bias, prejudice, or improper favoritism.

Moral Courage

The commitment to stand up for and act upon ethical beliefs for moral reasons despite adverse consequences, fears, sarcasm, humiliation, or ridicule.

Practical Reason

Reasoning associated with cognition and intellect that is used specifically to guide thinking and work out what actions to take.

Value

Derived from the Latin word 'valere' (to be of worth); defined by John Dewey as the act of pricing, esteeming, appraising, estimating, and cherishing.

Moral Values

Standards and principles of good and evil that govern an individual's choices and behavior and help distinguish right from wrong.

Acceptance

A moral value defined by Kathy Slattengren (2018) as maintaining an objective attitude toward others' ideas and practices that differ from one's own.

Perseverance

A moral value defined as steadfast persistence and determination to continue a course of action or belief despite difficulty or discomfort to reach a higher goal.

Pre-Conventional Level

The first level of Lawrence Kohlberg's moral development theory, consisting of Stage 1 (Obedience-and-Punishment Orientation) and Stage 2 (Instrumental Orientation).

Conventional Level

The second level of Lawrence Kohlberg's moral development theory, consisting of Stage 3 (Good Boy, Nice Girl Orientation) and Stage 4 (Law & Order Orientation).

Post-Conventional Level

The third level of Lawrence Kohlberg's moral development theory, consisting of Stage 5 (Social-Contract Orientation) and Stage 6 (Universal-Ethical-Principle Orientation).

Conscience

Derived from the Latin origin 'cum alia scientia' (application of knowledge); an act of reason applying knowledge to judge the goodness or evil of an action.