ETHICS MIDTERM 1 - definitions

first ethics exam

utilitarianism

maximizing happiness (i.e. pleasure) is the end of morals

virtue ethics

approach to ethics that emphasizes being virtuous, virtue meaning good character, stable dispositions, beneficial for possessor and others, and corrective of some bad human tendency

categorical imperative

never act in such a way that you cannot will the maxim of your action as a universal law

deontology

study of duty (necessity of acting from respect of the law)

practical imperative

never use another rational agent as a means rather than as an end-in-themselves

state of nature

a time before government, social order, laws, customs, etc.

ethical egoism

ethical theory stating that individuals ought to act exclusively in their own self-interest

a priori

deciding something by reason and logic, before you look at real-world facts (from reason alone)

a posteriori

depending on experience

felicific calculus

measure amount of pleasure or pain an action will produce to determine its moral rightness (by Jeremy Bentham)

Consequentialism

ethical theory stating that the morality of an action is judged solely by its outcomes or consequences

act utilitarianism

action is morally right if it produces the greatest net happiness in that specific, individual situation (Jeremy Bentham)

rule utilitarianism

action is morally right if it conforms to a general rule that is universally or widely followed and produces the greatest overall good (John Stuart Mill)

right of nature

your right to defend your life (inalienable)

objective

based on facts, verifiable evidence and data without personal bias

subjective

based on personal feelings, opinions, or individual viewpoints

divine command theory

what is right or wrong is determined by God, and with no God there is no morality

laws

something that determines or binds

rights

the liberty to do x

contract

mutual transferring or renouncing of rights

eudaimonia

greek word roughly translates to happiness or human flourishing

maxim

motivation; underlying rule or personal plan of action that motivates a person to do something

imperfect duty

general moral requirements that allow for discretion regarding when and how to fulfill them

perfect duty

non-negotiable obligations that must be followed without exception

aristotle’s three types of life

vulgar, political, contemplative

4 causes

material, formal, efficient, final

euthyphro’s dilemma

is an action good because God commands it, or does God command it because the action is good

choosing lower over higher order pleasures

ignorance, fatigue, loss of capacity

hedons/dolars

1 unit of pleasure/1 unit of pain

contradiction in will

occurs when a world where everyone universalizes your maxim is possible, but no rational being would choose to live in such a world

contradiction in conception

occurs when try to imagine a world where everyone acts on your maxim, and the practice itself becomes impossible to sustain

kant’s 4 examples

lying promise, suicide, neglecting charitable giving, neglecting your talents

hobbes 1st law of nature

you ought to endeavor towards peace

hobbes 2nd law of nature

lay down your rights, when necessary, to ensure peace

rawls veil of ignorance

ignoring race, age, job, social status, gender, etc.

2 principles

1) equality in the assignment of basic rights and duties

2) social/economic inequalities are just only if they provide compensating benefits for all

2 revised principles

1) each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberties compatible with others having the same

2) social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that:

a) reasonably expected to be to the advantage of all

b) attached to offices/positions that are open to all