Ethics Flashcards (definitions)

Meta ethics

The study of nature, origins, and the meaning of moral concepts

Objective v.s Subjective morality

Questions whether moral values are objective (true independently from what people think) or subjective (based on personal or cultural beliefs)

Moral Absolutism

Certain moral facts are constant and universally applicable, like physical laws.

Moral relativism

Must iOS moral views may be correct, allowing for cultural differences

Descriptive Cultural Relativism

Multiple moral views may be correct, allowing for cultural differences

Normative Cultural Relativism

Suggests that moral facts themselves vary with culture, raising questions about moral progress and the critique of practices considered immoral by outsiders (not within said culture)

Denial of Objective Morals

Reacts the notion that moral values are objective features of the world

Subjective Moral Values

Morals are considered to be based on personal feelings and cultural norms

Moral Subjectivism

Moral statements are true or false relative to individual attitudes, not objective facts

Morality as a Constant

Moral truths are fixed and universally applicable

Categorical imperatives

Basic moral requirements that apply to all human beings

The Universalizability Principle

Act only on maxims that could be universally applied

Treating Humanity as an End-in-itself

Never treat people merely as a means to an end but always consider their inherent worth

Founders of Utilitarianism

Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill

Principle of Utility

The rightness of actions is determined by their ability to promote happiness or pleasure

Act Utilitarianism

Focuses on individual acts and choosing actions that maximize happiness in specific situations

Rule Utilitarianism

Adheres to rules that tend to produce the greatest good for the greatest number in the long term

Virtue Ethics

A character-based concept aimed to become a virtuous person whose character naturally exhibits virtuous behaviors

Eudaimonia

The highest human good, trans raising to ‘happiness,’ ‘floursihing,’ or ‘living well.’

The Golden Mean

Virtue is the mean between two extremes— excess and deficiency

Courage

Mean: Acts of bravery

Excess: Recklessness

Deficiency: Cowardice

Honesty

Mean: Truthfulness with tact

Excess: Brutal honesty without regard for others’ feelings

Deficiency: Dishonesty or evasion

Generosity

Mean: Giving adequately

Excess: Wastefulness

Deficiency: Stinginess

Acquiring virtue

Developed through practice and habituation

Role of Moral Exemplars

Learning from those who embody virtuous traits is crucial

Development (self/ personal)

Involves life experience and the practical wisdom to apply virtues correctly

Moral responsibility

Considers the intent and ethical implications of the action

Harm

Any physical, psychological, or emotional injury caused to a person

Wrongdoing

Actions that are morally or legally wrong

Ethical Significance

Involves evaluating the intent and consequences of actions

Thomas Nagel’s Four Types of Luck

• Constitutive Luck

• Circumstantial Luck

• Luck due to Antecedent Circumstances

• Luck regarding Consequent Circumstances

Constitutive luck

Traits and dispositions we are born with

Circumstantial luck

Situations we find ourselves in

Luck due to Antecedent Circumstances

Events leading up to our actions

Luck regarding Consequent Circumstances

Outcomes of our Actions

Implications of Nagel’s types of Luck

Challenges the notion of complete moral responsibility by highlighting the role of external factors such as luck