intro to ethics Flashcards
What is metaethics
- The nature of ethics
- The nature of ethical properties like good, bad, virtue
What is normative ethics
- How things ought to be
- what is good or bad, what action is right or wrong
Applied Ethics
Attempt to apply ethical theories to real life issues
Absolutism
Moral standards are universal and objective, applies to all people no matter the race, colour or sex
Emotivism
Moral judgements are expressions of the speakers feelings and are intended to influence the listener
Subjectivism, Not practicable
The view that moral standards are a matter of personal opinion and preference,
So what is right and wrong varies from person to person
Relativism
Moral standards are relative to cultural diversity,
They are based on each society and generation
3 views that deny the existence of universal and absolute standards
Subjectivism, relativism and emotivism
Concequentialism
An act is good or bad based on the outcome or result
Ethical egoism
An action is good if it maximises one’s own personal happiness
Altruism
Acting for the good of others
Utilitarianism
The greatest happiness for the greatest number
Deontology
Do what is right based on rules or your duty regardless of the outcome,
But it doesn’t provide any criteria for resolving conflict
What is the status of moral claims and advice
Meta Ethics
what is moral philosophy primarily concerned with?
Examining the attractions of various ethical theories..
