Moral Philosophy and Ethical Decision Making

This set of flashcards focuses on key vocabulary terms related to moral philosophy, ethics, and decision-making processes, providing definitions and essential concepts discussed in the lecture notes.

Conscience

Moral judgment by the power of one’s mind and reason.

Sin

An act against God, neighbor, or self; an act against the eternal, universal law.

Criteria of sin

Three criteria: matter, knowledge, deliberate consent.

Choice / Action / Decision

Defined through freewill and responsibility.

Culpability

Being legally responsible for a wrongdoing or failure.

Virtue

A moral excellence or particular moral quality such as honesty or courage.

Value

Ideals and visions in a moral sense, which may or may not be realized.

Vice

Negative habits in a moral sense.

Character

The mental and moral qualities, virtues, and ethical framework that distinguish an individual.

Moral Judgement

The ability to assess the moral quality of decisions and actions based on ethical standards.

Morally right decision

A decision that promotes equality, fairness, and human well-being.

Morally wrong decision

A decision that causes harm, treats others unfairly, or violates human dignity.

Morally good outcome

An outcome that results in fairness, equality, or human flourishing.

Morally bad outcome

An outcome that causes harm, injustice, or suffering.

What makes a decision morally right or wrong?

A decision is morally right when it promotes equality, fairness, and human well-being — helping to reduce injustice and protect human rights. 
A decision is morally wrong when it causes harm, treats others unfairly, or violates human dignity and rights. 

What makes an outcome morally good or bad? 

An outcome is morally good if it results in fairness, equality, or human flourishing. 
It’s morally bad if it causes harm, injustice, or suffering as a result of the decision made. 

Can the moral quality of an action and an outcome ever be mismatched? 

Yes. A person may make a good moral choice with good intentions, but an unforeseen or uncontrollable bad outcome may still occur. We can control our choices, but not always the results. 

How can we critically assess complex news stories and historical events?

We can assess them by looking for multiple perspectives, identifying bias and fairness, and asking who is being represented or judged. We should also consider the social and moral context — what is happening, why, and whose voices are included or excluded. 

How do social issues appear in cultural mediums like art, music, and food? 

Social issues appear in art through stereotypes or unequal representation (e.g., women objectified rather than valued for their work). In music, social issues arise when songs express racism, inequality, or protest injustice. In food, inequality appears through economic access — low-income communities often face food insecurity and poor-quality diets.

What are moral precepts and situational ethics conveyed in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures?

Both Hebrew and Christian scriptures teach that morality comes from God’s character. The Hebrew scriptures emphasize obedience, justice, and mercy, while the Christian scriptures highlight love and compassion as the highest law. Both agree that true morality involves the heart and intention, not just external behavior.