Ethics And Religion

Question 1

Abortion

Answer 1

A medical procedure to terminate a pregnancy, normally before the foetus can survive independently

Question 2

Adultery

Answer 2

A married person engaging in voluntary sexual intercourse with a person who is not their spouse

Question 3

Animal experimentation

Answer 3

The use of non-human animals in experiments for medical or scientific progress

Question 4

Applied ethics

Answer 4

The application of normative ethical principles to practical situations and moral dilemmas

Question 5

Blood sports

Answer 5

A sport involving the hunting, wounding, or killing of animals

Question 6

Capital punishment

Answer 6

Punishment for a crime via the death penalty

Question 7

Cloning

Answer 7

The process produces genetically identical individuals of an organism, or copies of cells or DNA fragments
which is also known as ‘somatic transfer’

Question 8

Compatibilism

Answer 8

Idea sometimes called ‘soft determinism’ as it maintains that human free will is to differing degrees compatible with determinism

Question 9

Conscience

Answer 9

The faculty said to enable us to make moral decisions, by giving us a sense of right and wrong

Question 10

Deontological

Answer 10

Any ethical theory which argues that the rightness or wrongness of an act lies in doing the right thing because it is the right thing in itself – regardless of any consequences. It is judged by whether the act adheres to specific duties, rules and obligations

Question 11

‘Designer’ babies

Answer 11

Common term used to describe a human embryo which has been genetically modified. This would
be following guidelines set by the parent or scientist, to produce desirable traits such as eliminating a genetic disorder

Question 12

Doctrine of the Mean

Answer 12

Aristotle’s belief that developing the moral virtues depended on determining the ‘middle way’ between the vices of excess and deficiency

Question 13

Embryo research

Answer 13

Scientific research using embryonic cells, for example stem cell research

Question 14

Ethics

Answer 14

This term comes from the Greek word ethikos, which in its root form (ethos) means custom or habit. It refers
to a branch of moral philosophy that aims to determine the meaning of right and wrong, and subsequently the
correct way to act

Question 15

Free will

Answer 15

The ability to decide choices freely without that choice being predetermined. Therefore, the moral agent is responsible for those choices

Question 16

Hard determinism

Answer 16

Belief that as all events are causally determined and the result of previous events, choices and actions, therefore human free will is an illusion

Question 17

Intensive farming

Answer 17

Also known as factory farming, this is a production-focused approach towards farm animals which aims to maximize output, while minimising production costs. Often associated with intensive breeding programmes, hormone modification and cramped conditions

Question 18

Intuitionism

Answer 18

A form of ethical non-naturalism. The meta-ethical view that moral knowledge is a property known by intuition

Question 19

Libertarianism

Answer 19

Belief that human beings are ultimately free moral agents despite environmental and other limitations

Question 20

Meta ethics

Answer 20

Considers the meaning and justification of ethics. Meta ethics considers the meaning of terms such as
‘good’ and ‘right’

Question 21

Moral responsibility

Answer 21

To be morally responsible requires freedom of choice. It is the status of morally deserving praise, blame, reward, or punishment for an act or omission, in accordance with moral obligations

Question 22

Naturalism

Answer 22

A meta-ethical view that morality is defined by facts about nature or human nature

Question 23

Non-naturalism

Answer 23

The meta-ethical view that knowledge is a factual property known through means outside ‘naturalism’, for example by intuition or God’s commands

Question 24

Normative ethics

Answer 24

Ethical theories which inform people how they should act and which ethical norms to follow

Question 25

Proportionalism

Answer 25

Idea based on the premise that the Natural Law could be laid aside if there was a proportional reason for doing so, eg greater good could be served by doing it, in that particular scenario

Question 26

Teleological

Answer 26

Any ethical theory which argues the rightness or wrongness of an action according to its consequences. The term is derived from the Greek ‘telos’ meaning ‘end’ or ‘purpose’

Question 27

Voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide

Answer 27

Euthanasia literally translates from the Greek meaning ‘a good death’. It describes a medical procedure by which either a person terminates his or her own life because of extreme pain or suffering, or the life of another person is either allowed to come to an end or is brought to an end with the assistance of others, because of a critical medical condition. ‘Voluntary’ means there is consent and a choice made by the person

Question 28

Utilitarianism

Answer 28

A teleological, normative ethical theory. An example of ethical naturalism that identifies the ‘good’ in human experience is what causes pleasure and ‘wrong’ is what brings pain