Ethics

Question 1

Catholic perspective decision making

Answer 1

As the catholic perspective on ethical decision making is derived from natural law, the decision needs to be made using intelligence and using the innate sense every human has of what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.

Question 2

Ethics

Answer 2

Ethics is the examination of the process of decision making about what is good and bad, right and wrong and worthy and unworthy in human behaviour, and the exploration of why people make the judgements they do

Question 3

Morality

Answer 3

Is an accepted set of beliefs, values and standards that establish what should or ought to be the behaviour of individuals, groups and societies.

Question 4

Ethical issues:

Answer 4

Questions or practices where there are differing opinions about what is right and wrong, good and bad, or worthy or unworthy of human behaviour.

Question 5

Ethical issues can be:

Answer 5

Personal -Whether or not to smack child
Communal -Drugs scandal
Global -Refugees

Question 6

Utilitarianism

Answer 6

This approach to an ethical problem stresses the usefulness (utility) of an action in promoting the common good
The rightness or wrongness of an action needs to be assessed on the basis of what good it achieves

Question 7

Subjectivism

Answer 7

This approach to an ethical problem stresses that the individual has the right to make judgements and take action according to their own judgement, freedom and conscience.
No other person is entitled to judge what the individual chooses to do
It ignores society and community laws and takes no account of the interests and well being of others

Question 8

Situation ethics

Answer 8

This approach to an ethical problem stresses that ethical behaviour is seen solely in terms of behaving in the spirit of love.
Nothing is seen as wrong except an action that is intentionally unloving

Question 9

Relativism

Answer 9

This approach to an ethical problem stresses that culture, context and circumstances is influential when making a decision.
Relativists do not make judgement about whether or not and action is right or wrong for everyone

Question 10

Nihilism

Answer 10

This approach to an ethical problem stresses that life has no meaning, that no goal is better than another, the no action an individual makes any difference and that all decisions are based from our emotional or social needs.
It is a radically permissive and hopeless approach

Question 11

Natural Law

Answer 11

Good should be done and evil avoided

Objective moral norms and rules of conduct