Untitled Flashcards Set

Introduction to Ethics

• Ethics – The study of moral principles governing human behavior.

• Moral Universe – The idea that morality is fundamental to human life, not just physical needs.

• Instrumental Questions – Questions concerning practical actions to achieve mundane goals.

• Non-Instrumental Questions – Questions about principles that go beyond mere survival or convenience.

Branches of Philosophy

• Metaphysics – The study of the nature of reality.

• Epistemology – The study of knowledge and belief.

• Ethics (Moral Philosophy) – The study of what is right and wrong.

• Aesthetics – The study of beauty and artistic values.

• Logic – The study of reasoning and argumentation.

Types of Ethical Theories

• Ideal Theory – Ethical theories that act as guiding principles, though rarely fully applicable in reality.

• Monistic Theories – Ethical theories that rely on a single principle to determine moral actions.

• Pluralistic Theories – Ethical approaches that integrate multiple ethical principles.

Consequentialism vs. Non-Consequentialism

• Consequentialist Ethics – Judges actions based on their outcomes.

• Non-Consequentialist Ethics – Judges actions based on principles, regardless of outcomes.

Kantian Ethics (Deontology)

• Immanuel Kant – 18th-century philosopher who founded deontological ethics.

• Categorical Imperative – A universal moral law that dictates ethical behavior.

  • Formula of Universal Law – Act only according to principles that could become universal.

  • Formula of Humanity – Treat others as ends in themselves, not as means.

  • Formula of Autonomy – Act as though you are legislating universal moral law.

• Autonomy – The ability to self-govern moral decisions.

• Dignity – The inherent worth of rational beings.

Utilitarianism

• Jeremy Bentham – Founder of classical utilitarianism, focused on maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain.

• John Stuart Mill – Developed higher and lower pleasures in utilitarianism.

• Principle of Utility (Greatest Happiness Principle) – The moral action is the one that produces the greatest overall happiness.

• Higher vs. Lower Pleasures – Higher pleasures (intellectual, artistic) are superior to lower (bodily) pleasures.

Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics (Eudaimonism)

• Eudaimonia – Human flourishing, the highest good.

• Arete – Excellence or virtue in fulfilling one’s purpose.

• Doctrine of the Mean – Virtue lies between extremes of excess and deficiency.

• Phronesis – Practical wisdom for making ethical decisions.

• Hexis – A stable character trait formed through habituation.

• Telos – The purpose or goal of something.

Religious Ethics

Jewish Ethics

• Decalogue (Ten Commandments) – The foundational moral code in Judaism.

• Halakhah – Jewish law guiding moral and religious behavior.

• Rabbi Hillel’s Golden Rule – “What you dislike, don’t do to others.”

Christian Ethics

• Imago Dei – The belief that humans are made in the image of God.

• The Beatitudes – Teachings from Jesus emphasizing humility, mercy, and justice.

• Agape – Selfless, unconditional love.

• Nietzsche’s Critique – Claimed Christian ethics promote “slave morality.”

Islamic Ethics

• Five Pillars of Islam:

  • Shahadah – Declaration of faith.

  • Salah – Daily prayer.

  • Zakat – Almsgiving.

  • Sawm – Fasting during Ramadan.

  • Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca.

• Jihad – The struggle to maintain faith and righteousness.

• Islamic Contributions – Advances in science, medicine, mathematics, and philosophy.

Rights and Natural Law

• Natural Rights – Fundamental entitlements derived from human nature.

• Social Contract – The idea that individuals consent to governmental authority in exchange for protection of rights.

• Hohfeldian Analysis – A framework for understanding different kinds of rights.

• Forms of Rights:

  • Claims – Demands imposed on others.

  • Powers – The ability to enforce or alter legal arrangements.

  • Liberties – Freedom from external restrictions.

  • Immunities – Protection from harm or coercion.

Justifications for Rights

• Deontological Justification (Kant) – Rights come from moral duties.

• Utilitarian Justification (Mill, Bentham) – Rights exist to maximize happiness.

• Theological Justification – Rights are God-given.

• Natural Law Justification – Rights arise from nature and reason.

Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development

• Pre-Conventional Level – Morality based on avoiding punishment or seeking reward.

• Conventional Level – Morality based on social approval and maintaining order.

• Post-Conventional Level – Morality based on universal ethical principles.

Social and Political Ethics

• Discrimination and the Idea of Race – Ethical issues surrounding racial discrimination.

• Business Ethics – Ethical principles in commerce and trade.

• Euthanasia – Moral debates about assisted dying.

• Sexual Ethics – Ethics concerning sexual relationships and behaviors.

• Crime and Punishment – The morality of justice systems and punishment.

• War, Terrorism, and Cosmopolitanism – Ethics concerning conflict and global responsibility.