Ethics Final

Branch of philosophy, Asks the question “what is the nature of the good and the right?

Ethics

An approach to ethics that is focused on duty or obligation, codes of behavior

Deontological

An approach to ethics that is focused on goals or ends

Teleological

To accurately describe the relevant conditions (what is)

Descriptive Task

To fairly prescribe what ought to be

Prescriptive Task

A person with the  capacity for rationality, reflection, free choice, and able to be held accountable

Moral Agent

Wrong action, contrary to the moral code

Immoral

A person operating without a moral code

Amoral

An action with no positive or negative moral value

Nonmoral

• Scriptures 1

• Tradition 2

• Reason (logic) 4

• Experience 3

• Intuition

• Holy Spirit

• Direct spiritual experience

Sources of Moral Authority

A moral theory should give us clean answers.

Determinacy

A moral theory should give us a consistent answer.

Consistency

A moral theory should be fairly easy to apply.

Applicability

A moral theory's principles should align with society’s widely held moral beliefs.

Internal Support

A moral theory should find support from other disciplines.

External Support

A moral theory should feature principles that explain why actions/people/policies are good/right.

Explanatory Power

A moral theory's principles should make sense to be taught openly and shared

Publicity

The view that every agent always acts ultimately for the sake of self-interest

Psychological Egoism

Agents should always act to maximize their long-term self-interest

Ethical Theory of Egoism

Right and wrong and good and bad because God commands in scripture

Divine Command Theory

The idea that normality is culturally defined

Cultural Relativism

The theory that what is morally right and wrong, or good and bad, is determined by culture

Moral Relativism

Judging another culture by the standards of our own

Ethnocentrism

The capacity of an action to produce happiness or reduce suffering.

Utility

The view that pleasure is the highest or only intrinsic good

Hedonism

A refined form of hedonism emphasizing higher-quality pleasures.

Epicureanism

A philosophy emphasizing self-control and restraint over pleasure-seeking

Stoicism

Something good in itself (e.g., happiness).

intrinsic good

Something good because it leads to something else.

extrinsic (instrumental) good

A form of utilitarianism that follows rules that generally maximize happiness.

rule utilitarianism

The intention to do the right thing because it is right.

good will

Doing the right action but for self-interested reasons.

acting in accordance with duty

Doing the right action because it is morally required.

acting from duty

A personal rule for action

A maxim

A conditional rule based on desire

hypothetical imperative

A universal moral rule that applies to everyone regardless of desire.

categorical imperative

Act only on maxims you could will to become universal laws.

Universal Law formulation

Treat people always as ends in themselves, never merely as means.

Humanity formulation

Living well and doing well; flourishing through virtuous activity.

eudaimonia

Humans have a function (rational activity), and good humans perform it well.

function argument

Excellence in fulfilling one’s function.

virtue (arete)

Traits like courage and temperance developed through habit.

moral virtues

Wisdom and understanding developed through teaching.

intellectual virtues

Virtue is the balance between excess and deficiency.

doctrine of the mean

An action done with knowledge and choice (you are responsible).

voluntary action

Done through ignorance or force (reduced responsibility)

involuntary action

Utility, pleasure, and virtue.

three types of friendship