Chapter 1-7: Introduction to Ethical Theories (Vocabulary Flashcards)

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on ethics, rationale, truth (objective vs subjective), and the role of different theories.

Ethics (moral principles)

Principles used as standards to evaluate actions and policies; treated as interchangeable with morality in this course.

Rational persuasion

Justification based on logic, proof, evidence, and doubt; requires methodical analysis.

Justification (in ethics)

Reasoned basis for determining right or wrong, derived from rational analysis.

Objective truth

Truth about the external world that is verifiable and universal, not dependent on personal beliefs.

Subjective belief

Belief tied to a person’s perspective, feelings, and desires; may be unverifiable.

Religion and justification

Religion grounds justification in faith rather than reason; appeals to faith are not considered necessary to justify theories or actions in this view.

Faith

Belief without evidence used as the basis for religious justification.

Evidence vs belief distinction

Objective truth requires demonstration or verification; subjective belief may lack such support.

Example of objective truth (color theory)

The claim that purple is a blending of red and blue is presented as an objective truth.

Mathematical truth

An objective truth that is logically and empirically verifiable, such as 2 + 2 = 4.

Logical verification

Verification through valid reasoning about a proposition.

Empirical verification

Verification through observation and experience in the natural world.

Two plus two equals five

An objectively false proposition that cannot be verified logically or empirically, illustrating subjective belief not equal to truth.

Single ethical theory

The idea that no one theory fully covers all ethical questions due to human and reality complexity; multiple theories are needed.

Objective truths in ethics

Objective truths provide a basis for evaluating values of right and wrong, independent of personal bias.

Universality of reasoning

Reasoning is a universal human capacity, allowing objective truths to transcend individual beliefs.

Multiple theoretical approaches

No single theory is comprehensively correct; studying several approaches improves ethical deliberation.

Distinction: ethics vs religion

Ethics rely on reason and evidence; religion relies on faith; the former is not dependent on religious justification.

Correction and improvement through analysis

Theories should be continually analyzed and revised to improve justification and understanding.