Ethics: The Moral Compass of a Human Person

Vocabulary flashcards generated from the Ethics 201 lecture slides covering definitions, classifications of moral standards, teleological vs. deontological ethics, and theistic vs. non-theistic perspectives.

Ethos (Greek)

The Greek word from which ethics is derived, meaning 'custom'.

Ethos (Latin)

The Latin word meaning 'moral'.

O Tempora O Mores

An expression of dismay regarding morality stated by Cicero in 1856, translating to 'Oh, what time and what morals'.

Ethics

A branch of philosophy (also called moral philosophy) dealing with moral standards, inquiring about the rightness or wrongness of human behavior, or the goodness or badness of personality, trait, or character.

Moral

An adjective describing a human act as either ethically right or wrong, or qualifying a person, personality, or character as either ethically good or bad.

Consequence Standard

A moral standard that depends on results or outcomes, holding that an act resulting in general welfare or the greatest good of the greatest number is moral.

Non-Consequence Standard

A moral standard based on natural law, good will, intention, or a sense of duty rather than outcomes.

Natural Law

The law of God revealed through human reason, described as the 'law of God written in the hearts of men.'

Non-Moral Standard

Social rules and demands of etiquette and good manners expected by society where moral categories cannot be applied.

Folkways

The term used in sociology for non-moral standards or rules.

Compliance Indicator

The distinction where non-compliance with moral standards causes a sense of guilt, whereas non-compliance with non-moral standards causes shame or embarrassment.

Teleological

Derived from 'tele' (meaning end, result, or consequence), referring to standards where an act's rightness or wrongness depends on the consequences and good produced in the world.

Deontological

Derived from 'dei' (meaning being needed or necessary), holding that the rightness or wrongness of an action depends on sense of duty, natural law, virtue, and situational demands.

Theism (Moral Source)

The belief that God is the ultimate source of what is moral revealed to human persons, such as through the Ten Commandments revealed to Moses.

Golden Rule

A non-theist teaching taught by Confucius stating: 'Do not do unto others what you don't want others do unto you.'

Universal Maxim (Kant)

A non-theist moral standard test stating: 'Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law.'

Evolutionary Concept of Morality

The claim that the basics of moral standards evolved across time and were observed among primates rather than being instantly implanted at creation.