Chapter 5: Consequential Moral Principles

Question 1

morality based on results/outcomes of behaviors

Answer 1

consequential theories

Question 2

acting in self-interest, at expense of others: the ONLY GOOD is our own personal interests! (best option for long-term consequences)

Answer 2

egoism

Question 3

ethics as the greater good: the aim of producing the greatest good for the greatest number

Answer 3

utilitarianism

Question 4

right thing to do is the ACTION that produces great possible good for greatest possible number

Answer 4

act utilitarian (jeremy bentham)

Question 5

right thing to do is to FOLLOW RULES that promote greatest possible good

Answer 5

rule utilitarian (john stewart mil)

Question 6

ability to act unselfishly & act from concern for others

Answer 6

altruism

Question 7

the theory that people are inherently selfish

Answer 7

psychological egoism

Question 8

view that people ought to be selfish or self interested

Answer 8

ethical egoism

Question 9

theory of phenomenon in the moral world (good vs evil)

Answer 9

ethical theories

Question 10

how we should act in any situation

Answer 10

fundamental prinicple

Question 11

one thing that is fundamentally + morally good: pleasure, feeling good is what’s morally good

Answer 11

hedonistic ultilitarianism

Question 12

trying to balance happiness + unhappiness on scale of -10 to +10 (created by action)

Answer 12

net utility

Question 13

identify ethical decision, consider actions, consider people affected, determine net utility, choose option with highest net utility

Answer 13

applying ACT utilitarianism

Question 14

list options + moral rules, estimate net utility to determine what produces most happiness, eliminate rules with negative net utility, evaluate remaining options, choose what promotes most social happiness

Answer 14

applying RULE utilitarianism

Question 15

focus on other characteristics when making moral judgement (laws of nature, commandments) note: actions are good/bad regardless of outcome example: lying=wrong bc it violates ethical principles, not bc it has bad consequences.

Answer 15

nonconsequential theories

Question 16

focus on character of person vs the action itself *be the right kind of person, so you’ll do the right thing! (socrates, plato, aristotle all believed in these)

Answer 16

virtue ethics

Question 17

this theory emphasizes conduct based on perceived order inherent to the universe

Answer 17

natural ethics

Question 18

like the golden rule, but virtues balanced on moderation between too little or too much (extreme: cowardice, virtue: courage, extreme excess: foolhardiness)

Answer 18

the golden mean