Understanding the Self & Ethics – Core Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards summarizing the principal concepts, theories, philosophers, psychological terms, and Filipino cultural values discussed in the lecture on “Understanding the Self & Ethics.”

Dualism

Philosophical view that the mind (or soul) and the body are two distinct substances.

Reason (Aristotle)

The governing faculty that should direct all human activities toward the good life.

Golden Mean

Aristotle’s ethical doctrine that virtue lies in moderation between excess and deficiency.

Socialization

Lifetime process of learning the values, attitudes, and behaviors acceptable in one’s culture and community.

Self-Concept

The collection of thoughts, feelings, and beliefs one holds about oneself and the perceived responses of others.

Tabula Rasa

John Locke’s idea of the mind as a "blank slate" at birth, written on by experience.

Materialism (Churchland)

View that only matter exists; mental states are nothing over and above brain states.

Cogito Ergo Sum

René Descartes’ dictum “I think, therefore I am,” placing rational thought at the center of the self.

Meditation

Quiet mental practice aimed at reflective insight and inner calm.

Categorical Imperative

Immanuel Kant’s supreme moral principle: act only on maxims you can will as universal law.

Soul (Plato)

Immortal, changeless giver of life that uses the body as its temporary vessel.

Republic (Plato)

Dialogue in which Plato outlines the tripartite soul and the idea that the self is the soul using the body.

Empiricism

Theory that knowledge comes primarily through sensory experience.

Ideal Realm vs. Physical Realm

Socratic distinction between unchanging truths (ideas) and the changing material world.

Summum Bonum

Latin for “highest good,” used by Plato and Aristotle to describe God.

Knowing How / Knowing That / Knowing What

Gilbert Ryle’s three categories of knowledge: skill, factual information, and acquaintance.

Embodied Self (Merleau-Ponty)

Concept that mind and body are intertwined; self cannot be separated from its bodily existence.

Looking-Glass Self

Charles Cooley’s idea that we form self-image by imagining how others perceive and judge us.

Happiness (St. Augustine)

Ultimate end found only in God; not dependent on external things but on their proper use.

Teleology

Ethical view that judges actions by their ends or consequences.

Deontology

Ethical theory that bases morality on duty, obligation, or rules rather than outcomes.

Bioethics

Applied ethics field addressing moral issues in life sciences, e.g., surrogacy, stem-cell research.

Business Ethics

Study of moral principles governing corporate practices and workplace behavior.

Environmental Ethics

Branch of ethics focused on moral relations between humans and the natural world.

Consequentialist Ethics (Utilitarianism)

Framework evaluating actions by the happiness or well-being they produce.

Virtue Ethics

Moral philosophy holding that right action is what a virtuous person would do.

Moral Reasoning Model

Step-by-step process for ethical decision-making, beginning with gathering the facts.

Moral Character

Quality of possessing or lacking moral virtues.

Moral Courage

Willingness to do the right thing despite risk of hardship or punishment.

Impartiality

Justice principle requiring objective decisions free from bias or favoritism.

Will

Mental faculty that chooses the strongest present desire when a decision is made.

Freedom

Capacity to steer one’s life by making autonomous choices.

Sexual Response Cycle

Human sexual phases: attraction, excitement, plateau, orgasm, resolution.

Spermarche

First ejaculation marking male sexual maturity.

Andropause

Mid-life period of hormonal changes in men, sometimes called male menopause.

Oral Fixation

Freudian term for persistent gratification behaviors (e.g., nail-biting) stemming from the oral stage.

Libido

Psychic energy associated with sexual desire.

Thanatos

Freudian concept of the death drive or instinct toward aggression and destruction.

Gender Roles

Societal expectations for behavior and activities appropriate to men and women.

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins originating from two separate fertilized eggs.

Cognitive-Developmental Gender Theory

Idea that children’s understanding of gender guides their gendered behavior.

Gender Identity Disorder (Gender Dysphoria)

Strong dissatisfaction with assigned biological sex and desire to be the opposite sex.

Vasectomy

Permanent male sterilization procedure involving severing the vas deferens.

Abstinence

Refraining from sexual activity; most effective way to prevent STDs.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Cluster of birth defects caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.

Friendship (Love Root)

Common foundation of romantic love wherein intimacy develops over time.

Fatuous Love

Sternberg’s love type combining passion and commitment without deep intimacy.

Gonorrhea

Bacterial sexually transmitted infection treatable with antibiotics.

Non-Moral Standards

Rules like etiquette or social conventions whose violation brings embarrassment, not moral guilt.

Personal Dilemmas

Ethical conflicts experienced and resolved at an individual level.

Structural Dilemmas

Moral issues involving networks of institutions and broad paradigms.

Social Ethics

Study of what a society as a whole ought to do and value.

Hiya

Filipino value of shame or modesty that restrains behavior to avoid social disapproval.

Pakikisama

Filipino value of getting along or maintaining smooth interpersonal relationships.

Hospitality

Filipino trait of warmly welcoming and entertaining guests.

Millennials (Gen Y)

Generation noted for tech-savvy multitasking and appreciation of diversity.

Gen Z

Newest generation, often labeled entitled and selfie-focused.

Norms

Understood rules that guide behavior within a particular activity or sphere.

Ethics

Branch of philosophy studying morality and principles of right conduct.

Morality

System of beliefs about right and wrong behavior.