Ethics

Question 1

Define the term deontological.

Answer 1

Rule based argument where the means justify the ends.

Question 2

Define the term Teleological

Answer 2

Outcome based argument where the ends justify the means.

Question 3

What is normative ethics?

Answer 3

Normative ethical theories try to establish ethical norms and how we ought to behave.

Question 4

What is natural moral law?

Answer 4

Humans have a good sense between right and wrong as it is human nature. Their natural instinct is built into humans and requires no belief in God.

Question 5

Who is commonly associated natural moral law?

Answer 5

Aquinas and his book Summa Theologica

Question 6

What is human reason?

Answer 6

Humanity was given reason and freedom to choose to follow the good, which fulfils God’s purpose for them.

Question 7

What is eternal law?

Answer 7

The mind of God which humans cannot know. Although humans can never know the eternal law fully, they get reflections of it in scientific knowledge.

Question 8

What is divine law?

Answer 8

The law of God revealed to people through the bible.

Question 9

What is the four fold division of law?

Answer 9

• Eternal law = God’s blueprint
• Divine law = commands in the Bible
• Natural law = human reason
• Human law = Rules in place eg legal system

Question 10

What are primary precepts?

Answer 10

Primary precepts are what human reason has in common with all other substances eg preserving life

Question 11

What does the acronym ‘POWER’ stand for?

Answer 11

Preservation
Ordered society
Worship of God
Education
Reproduction

Question 12

What is ‘telos’?

Answer 12

Telos means end goal or purpose.

Question 13

Define Eudaimonia

Answer 13

Supreme happiness or flourishing

Question 14

What is Beatific vision?

Answer 14

Self communication and Eudaimonia when they see God directly in heaven.

Question 15

What are secondary precepts?

Answer 15

Secondary precepts are actions and procedures endorsed to maximise primary precepts.

Question 16

Give examples of secondary precepts

Answer 16

Reproduction = Banning abortion, Banning same-sex marriage and minimum child policy.
Education = No weekends off, all education is free and fine in place for any absences.
Worship of God = everyone believing in the same religion, mandatory church and religious schools.
Ordered society = good welfare system and evenly distributed resources.
Preservation = no murder, no abortions and mutual respect laws.

Question 17

What is the ‘Syndresis principle’?

Answer 17

The idea that we are naturally drawn towards good and away from evil.

Question 18

What’s a quote that explains sometimes the first principles are contradictory.

Answer 18

‘The natural law is unchangeable altogether in its first principles; but in its second principles… may be changed in some particular cases’ - Aquinas, Summa Theologica

Question 19

What are real goods and give an example.

Answer 19

Something which does fit with the idea of pursuing perfection. An example would be if we follow the real good, we follow virtue moving us closer to God and not giving into temptation.

Question 20

What are Apparent good and give an example.

Answer 20

Any action which is not the pursuit of perfection as it does not allow for the achievement or perfection. An example is having an affair relating to short term pleasures.

Question 22

What is an interior act?

Answer 22

A bad interior act would entail doing a good deed for the morally wrong reasons. For example helping an old lady to impress someone.

Question 23

What is an exterior act?

Answer 23

A good exterior act is doing something which causes good. For example helping an old lady cross the road.

Question 24

What are the seven cardinal sins?

Answer 24

Pride
Avarice
Lust
Envy
Gluttony
Anger
Sloth (laziness)

Question 25

What is the principle of double effect and give an example.

Answer 25

An action that can have two effects; one which is intended and one which is accidental. An example would be defending an innocent life could mean the attacker could be killed.

Question 26

What are the 4 conditions Aquinas said must be met to make a decision?

Answer 26

-The nature of the act = the act must be either good or neutral. - The means end = the good action must cause the bad, not the other way around. - The right intention = the bad effect cannot be intended - Proportionality = the good effect must be proportional to the bad.

Question 27

What is proportionalism?

Answer 27

Proportionalism believes that there are certain moral rules and it can never be right to go against them unless there is a proportionate reason.

Question 28

What is casuistry?

Answer 28

Case law

Question 29

What was McCormick’s formula?

Answer 29

(Value-Disvalue)+intention.

Question 30

What is agape?

Answer 30

Unconditional love of God and doing an action because it’s the most loving thing to do.

Question 31

What is Phileo?

Answer 31

Brotherly love or the love of friendship which implies a strong bond and a deep friendship.

Question 32

What is storge?

Answer 32

A deep family affection that comforts us and helps people feel connected to all their spiritual family.

Question 33

What is a quote from Fletcher about morality?

Answer 33

‘The morality of an action depends on the situation’

Question 34

Give a quote from Fletcher about moral law

Answer 34

‘The situation follows a moral law or violates it according to loves need’

Question 35

What is legalistic ethics?

Answer 35

Your duty is to follow the law no matter what the consequence is, this is the most inflexible form of ethics.

Question 36

What is antinomian ethics?

Answer 36

Rejects rules and you do whatever you feel like doing

Question 37

What is the agapeic calculus?

Answer 37

A method calculating what action will generate the most loving outcome, takes into account the amount of risk and the long term effects.

Question 38

What is Aristotles quote linking to virtue ethics?

Answer 38

‘One swallow does not make a spring, nor does one fine day’

Question 39

What is Nicomachean ethics?

Answer 39

The Nicomachean Ethics by the Greek philosopher Aristotle considers the nature of human action and ethics, rooted in the concept of eudaimonia, often translated as happiness. However, it means the highest good, that which humans seek for its own sake and not for the sake of something else.

Question 40

What are the two parts of the soul that Aristotle believed in?

Answer 40

Rational- this has intellectual virtues such as justice and understanding. Non rational- this has moral virtues such as courage, formed by practice.

Question 41

What are the 12 moral virtues.

Answer 41

-Courage -Temperance -Liberation -Magnificence -Magnanimity -Ambition -Truth-fullness -Witness -Good humour -Modesty -Friendship -Composure

Question 42

What are the intellectual virtues?

Answer 42

-Science -Prudence -Wisdom -Understanding -Craft

Question 43

What are the cardinal virtues?

Answer 43

-Prudence -Justice -Courage -Moderation

Question 44

Aristotles doctrine of the mean produces 3 types of people, what are they?

Answer 44

-Sophron -Enkrates -Akrates

Question 45

What is a Sophron?

Answer 45

A person who is grounded, good at mediating situations and naturally lives in the mean without effort.

Question 46

What is an Enkrates?

Answer 46

A person who is self disciplined, tempted but has strong enough will power to live in the mean.

Question 47

What is an Akrates?

Answer 47

A person with no will power, acts on emotion and has wavering morals