Secular Ethics Test

Relativism

The belief that truth and morality are not absolute but are relative to the individuals or cultures that hold them.

Tolerance

The willingness to accept or tolerate differing views or practices of others.

Eudaimonia

A Greek term often translated as 'flourishing' or 'happiness'; the highest good in Aristotle's ethical framework.

Teleology

The study of purpose or design in natural occurrences; in ethics, it focuses on the outcomes or ends of actions.

Telos

The ultimate aim or purpose; often associated with Aristotle's ideas of human purpose.

Vice

A moral fault or failing; a negative character trait that leads to moral corruption.

Virtue

A positive moral quality or trait; behavior showing high moral standards.

Categorical Imperative

Kant's central moral principle, stating that an action is moral only if it can be universally applied.

Good Will

The intention to act according to moral principles; a key component in Kantian ethics.

Consequentialism

An ethical theory that judges the rightness or wrongness of actions based on their outcomes.

Hedonism

A philosophy that regards pleasure as the highest good.

Principle of Utility

The ethical principle that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness.

Rights (two-part definition)

Entitlements that individuals have, which include both the right to act in a certain way and the right to be treated in a certain way.

Veil of Ignorance (Rawls)

A method of determining the morality of political issues by pretending you're unaware of your social status or personal details.

Rawls

An American philosopher known for his contributions to political and moral philosophy, especially regarding justice and rights.

Regan

A philosopher focused on animal rights and ethical treatment, emphasizing inherent value of beings.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory that promotes actions that maximize happiness and well-being for the majority, often summarized by the phrase 'the greatest good for the greatest number.'

What matters in Utilitarianism?

In Utilitarianism, the rightness or wrongness of actions is determined by their consequences, specifically focusing on the amount of overall happiness or well-being they produce.

Utilitarianism vs. Christianity

Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing happiness for the majority by evaluating actions based on their outcomes, while Christianity often emphasizes moral principles, including love, compassion, and adherence to God's will, which can sometimes lead to different conclusions about what is considered a 'right' action.

Kant vs. Christianity

Kantian ethics emphasizes the importance of moral duties and the categorical imperative, which focuses on acting according to universal principles, while Christianity often centers around love, mercy, and moral teachings based on scripture, potentially leading to different ethical conclusions.

Aristotle's Character Types

Aristotle categorizes character types into four main types: virtuous, vicious, continent, and incontinent. The virtuous person knows and acts in accordance with good; the continent person understands what is good but struggles to act on it; the incontinent person recognizes the good yet fails to act accordingly; and the vicious person neither knows nor acts rightly.

Intrinsic Worth

The inherent value of an entity, typically associated with ethical discussions about the moral status of individuals or beings, particularly in the works of philosophers like Kant and Regan.

Aristotle vs. Christianity

Aristotle's ethics emphasize rationality and virtue as paths to the good life, while Christianity often prioritizes faith, divine grace, and love as fundamental to moral living.