RS ethics

What is morality?

A system that distinguishes between right and wrong.

What is a moral act?

An act considered to be right.

What is an immoral act?

An act considered to be wrong.

What is a non-moral act?

An act with no connection to right or wrong.

What is moral nativism?

A theory which holds that the mind is born with already formed ideas, knowledge and beliefs about morality.

What are churchlands beliefs about morality?

Human moral behaviour emerges from evolutionary processes that evolved to promote social interactions.

Divine Command Theory?

God is the source of morality; actions are right and wrong because god commands them to be. If he hadnt given us commands, there would be no right or wrong.

Relativist approach to ethics?

The view that actions are not always right or wrong and morality must be judged on a case by case basis, taking the circumstances into account.

Absolutism approach to ethics?

The view that certain actions are always right or wrong, regardless of the circumstances.

What is human nature?

A bundle of characteristics, including ways of thinking, feeling and acting, which humans are said to have naturally - the essence of humanity.

Altruism defintion?

The principle and practice of concern for the well-being/happiness of other humans above oneself and expecting nothing in return.

Psychological egosim?

The theory that suggests all behaviours are motivated by self-interest. In other words, it suggests that every action, behaviour or desicion of everyone is motivated by self interest, even so called “selfless acts”.

What is utilitarianism?

Do whatever will bring the greatest happiness to the the greatest number of people.

Consequentialist defintion?

The consequences of an action are what make it right or wrong.

Hedonistic definiton?

Pleasure/happiness is viewed as the only good

What is personhood?

The state of being a person.

Features of personhood?

Sentience, emotionality, reason, the capacity to communicate, self awareness, moral agency.

Define intrinstic value.

Life holds value in and of itslef, and a being with personhood (human) has a morally valuable life just by being a person.

Define extrinsic value.

Lives are valuable depending on something else, for example what worth they contribute to society.

What is the Turing Test?

A test that checks if an AI can initiate human in conversation. Developed by Alan Turing, it asks AI to have a conversation with a human judge, and see if the human can tell if it is AI. If the judge can’t, it passes but if he can, it fails.

What are the Just War Criteria?

Must be for a just cause, with proper, a good intention behind the war/greater good, a last resort, reasonable chance of success, and only necessary force used.

Define Just War.

A war which meets internationally accepted criteria for fairness - it follows traditional Christian views for a just war, and is now accepted by all religions.

What is pacifism?

The belief of people who refuse to take part in war and any other form of violence.

What is absolute pacifism?

A rejection of all violence and a total refusal to fight to do anything to support violence.

Active pacifism?

Demonstrating the belied that war and violence is wrong by actively working for peace in non-violent ways.

Nuclear pacifism?

A belief that war and violence can be justified if certain conditions are met, but nuclear war is so destructive it can never be acceptable.

Example of a pacifist?

Muhammad Ali, as he refused to take part on war as he had no quarrle with the vietnamese, and his relogion forbade him from serving.