Moral philosophy and Ethics Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is the central theme of moral philosophy and ethics in geography?
Determining right and wrong in geographical inquiry and practice.
What are the two main areas of ethics in geography?
- Moral content of geographical research
- Ethics of research practice
What is the origin of the term ‘ethics’?
Derived from the Greek ethikos, meaning character or custom.
What does the term ‘morals’ derive from?
Derived from the Latin moralis, meaning concerned with right and wrong actions.
How does ethics differ from morals?
Ethics is associated with societal norms, while morals focus on personal beliefs.
What is Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics focused on?
Character development and achieving the ‘good life.’
What does Kant’s Deontological Ethics emphasize?
Duty and moral laws guided by categorical imperatives.
What is Bentham’s Utilitarian Ethics based on?
Judging actions based on their consequences, maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain.
What does Feminist Ethics of Care prioritize?
Relationships, interdependence, and context-specific moral reasoning.
What is the difference between descriptive and prescriptive geography?
- Descriptive geography: how the world is
- Prescriptive geography: how the world ought to be
What philosophical problem highlights the difficulty of deriving moral obligations from facts?
The is/ought problem.
What did the Quantitative Revolution emphasize in geography?
Describing spatial patterns using objective methods.
What is a key critique of radical geography?
Geography is inherently political and must address social injustices.
What did humanistic geography emphasize?
Individual experiences and ethical considerations in place-making.
What is the role of participatory and activist geographies?
To effect change and align research with political engagement.
What are the three ways of extending moral concern beyond humans?
- Libertarian Extension
- Conservation Ethics
- Ecological Extension
What does Libertarian Extension argue?
Grants moral consideration to animals or all living organisms.
What is the basis of Conservation Ethics?
Justifies environmental protection based on human interests.
What does Ecological Extension emphasize?
Ecosystems have inherent value.
What historical case led to the establishment of the Nuremberg Code?
The Nuremberg Trials (1946–47).
What ethical principles were established by the Belmont Report?
- Respect
- Beneficence
- Non-maleficence
- Justice
What is a criticism of ethics review processes in research?
They are often too rigid and impose bureaucratic hurdles.
What is the challenge for geographers regarding ethics?
Balancing universal ethical principles with sensitivity to cultural and spatial contexts.
