ethics Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is Ethics?
The study of how to act in the correct way and how to live a good life.
Ethics guides behavior, decisions, and perceptions of right and wrong.
What does the term Morality refer to?
People’s principles or views on right or wrong.
Morality shapes individual ethical perspectives.
Define Philosophy.
Trying to discover the answer to questions such as why am I here? Is there a God? What created the universe?
Philosophy explores fundamental human questions.
Who is a Philosopher?
A thinker, someone who tries to answer big questions, such as what is the meaning of life? Is there a God?
Philosophers engage in deep inquiry and reasoning.
What is Duty Ethics?
Actions which obey moral laws are good, and actions which do not obey moral laws are bad.
Duty Ethics focuses on adherence to moral principles.
What is Utilitarianism?
The best way to act is whatever results in the maximum amount of good for the highest number of people.
Utilitarianism prioritizes overall happiness and welfare.
What is an Ethical Theory?
A theory that sets out to demonstrate the best way to make a moral or ethical decision.
Ethical theories provide frameworks for evaluating moral situations.
What is the Thought Experiment involving a runaway train?
A scenario where you can kill 1 person to save 5 people from a runaway train.
This experiment explores moral dilemmas and ethical reasoning.
Who created the Thought Experiment?
Philippa Foot.
The experiment examines the moral implications of sacrificing one for many.
What does ‘The banality of evil’ refer to?
How evil can result from ordinary, thoughtless behavior, exemplified by Adolf Eichmann’s actions.
The phrase highlights the dangers of conformity and unthinking compliance.
Where does morality come from?
Parents and social environment.
Morality is influenced by upbringing and societal norms.
Define Absolutism in ethics.
The holding of absolute principles in a person’s ethics, such as ‘Murder is always wrong.’
Absolutism provides a fixed ethical framework.
What is Relativism in ethics?
The holding of relative principles in a person’s ethics that depends on a situation, such as ‘Murder can sometimes be right.’
Relativism allows for flexibility in moral judgments.
List positives of Absolutism.
- Provides a fixed ethical code
- Allows for universal laws, such as Human Rights
- Enables the existence of courts.
Absolutism contributes to legal and moral consistency.
List negatives of Absolutism.
- Difficult to apply due to differing views.
Absolutism can lead to rigid interpretations of ethics.
List positives of Relativism.
- Flexible in considering different situations.
Relativism adapts to unique contexts and circumstances.
List negatives of Relativism.
- Different rules can create disorder in society.
Relativism may lead to moral confusion and inconsistency.
Who were notable philosophers supporting Utilitarianism?
- Jeremy Bentham
- John Stuart Mill.
Both philosophers contributed significantly to the development of utilitarian thought.
Fill in the blank: A penniless person should _______ to feed their hungry family.
steal bread.
This example illustrates a utilitarian perspective on moral actions.
True or False: We must always tell the truth according to Utilitarianism.
False.
Utilitarianism allows for lying if it prevents harm.
