Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Philosphy > Nature of Ethics > Flashcards

Nature of Ethics Flashcards

1
Q

What is Ethics?

A

The philosophical study of morality
Ethics deals with morality, but it is not the same as morality. Morality is the subject matter that ethics studies.

Good and bad; right and wrong.

Distinction between “ethics” and “morality”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is Ethics cont.

A

What is the basis of morality?
Which ethical theory best justifies and explains moral life?
What is morality’s relationship with

Religion, law, and social etiquette

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is morality?

A

Morality consists of the standards that an individual or a group has about what is right and wrong or good and bad

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Moral:

A 
The term comes from BOTH the Latin (meaning "mores") and 
The Greek (meaning "ethos)

Each derived their meaning from the idea of custom

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Morality Refers to

A

Certain customs
Certain precepts
Certain practices of people’s and cultures

Positive or Descriptive Morality
-used to describe actual beliefs and customs of a culture

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Moral Philosophy

A

Refers to philosophical or theoretical reflection on morality

Ethical theories come from moral philosophical reflections

Moral philosophers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Ethics

A

Refers to the whole domain of morality and moral philosophy

Both areas are connected by common concerns in different ways through:
Values, virtues, principles, and practices

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Moral Philosophy

A

The systematic endeavor to understand moral concepts and justify moral principles and theories

Moral Philosophy analyzes concepts and terms like: right/wrong, ought, and good/evil

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Moral Philosophy cont.

A

Seems to establish principles of right behavior to serve as a guide for individuals and groups.

Investigates which values and virtues are important for a worthwhile life in society

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Moral precepts concern social norms

A

Morality has a normative aspect in that it has a distinct guiding function which is also shared by religion, law, and social etiquette

Morality functions differently in religion, law, and social etiquette

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Morality in Religion

A

Morality is usually essential to the religion’s practice

The moral principles are grounded in revelation and divine authority of that religious belief system.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Morality and Law

A

Laws are instituted to promote social and individual well being

Laws resolve conflicts of interest

Laws promote social harmony

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Morality and Law cont

A

Morality also does all of these three

Ethics may judge that some laws are immoral without denying that those same laws are valid laws

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Law and Morality Differ

A

According to the concept of ‘intent’

Bad intentions (mens rea) is factored into the legality of a criminal act

But no one can be punished for only thinking bad thoughts according to the law

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Law and Morality differ cont.

A

The enforcement of Law has physical (imprisonment) and financial (fines) sanctions

Sanctions of conscience, guilt, reputation, etc. enforce morality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Morality and Etiquette

A

Etiquette determines what is polite social behavior

Morality determines what is correct or right social behavior

Can not obeying social custom in some cases be considered immoral?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Religion, Law, & Etiquette have limitations in society

A

Religion- Rests on authority that some people question

Law- every social ill does not have a law and all rules cannot be enforced

Etiquette - does not go to the depth of what is existentially important

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Normative statements

A

Distinction between normative and factual statements (a.k.a. Fact/value distinction). Ethical disagreements are usually not resolved (if they are resolved at all) by appealing to facts.

A normative statement expresses a value judgment of some kind, and it’s correctness is determined by reference to a norm or standard.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Examples of normative statements

A

Stealing is wrong
It is never permissible to lie
You should not cheat on your spouse
Capital punishment is cruel and unusual punishment
Affluent nations have a moral duty to assist impoverished nations.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Reasonable disagreements

A

Ethics is enormously important but difficult to think about clearly and responsibly

Seems like reasonably people can have reasonable disagreement on ethical issues

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Sources of morality

We can get our sources from virtually anywhere

A 
Parents 
Teachers 
Music 
Church
Mosque
Reason
Friends
Movies
Video games
Synagogue 
Temple 
Internet
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Why is Ethics so important?

A

Much of what we are and do is determined by our moral values, because our devalues shape our thoughts, feelings, actions, and perceptions (beliefs-> actions)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

So why study ethics?

A

On an intellectual level studying ethics can help you participate intelligently on society’s ethical debates (ex abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

So why study ethics? cont.

A

On a professional level, many professions (ex law, medicine, engineering, nursing) have rules of professional conduct to which you’re expected to adhere

Disciplinary/ethics boards

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Consider the consequences of NOT caring

A

Demotion, termination, monetary fines, loss of complaint reputation, bankruptcy, imprisonment.

The gov may investigate companies suspected of ethical and legal improprieties
-Enron, worldcom, Arthur Anderson, Halliburton, Qwest, Adelphia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Need for Morality

A 
Why do we need morality? There are many responses to this question.
THOMAS HOBBES (1588-1679) stated: humans create a social contract or covenant to create a standard of social morals to counteract our "state of nature" as he saw humanity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

But don’t we need morality?

A

Morality is the force in humanity that can keep us within a human behavior that advocates decency and respect

Morals are a set of rules that if everyone follows them, nearly everyone will flourish

28
Q

Purposes of morality

A

These rules restrain our freedom in order to promote greater freedom and well being for us and for all in society

There are generally five purposes of morals that are related but not all identical

29
Q

FIVE MORAL PURPOSES

A

To keep society from falling apart
To ameliorate human suffering
To promote human flourishing
To resolve conflict of interest justly and in a orderly manner
To assign praise, blame, reward, punishment, and guilt in society

30
Q

The goal of morality

A

To create happy virtuous people
To create and support flourishing communities based on order and justice
To provide guidelines for people to achieve the above
To promote the good of morality

31
Q

Morality

A

Extreme view: morality is he most important subject on earth
Without it, we cannot promote the good of humanity
Mor rules are not relative
They are not totally absolute; they can override one another

32
Q

Traits of Moral Principles

A

Central to morality are mor principles which have these five traits

Prescriptivity 
Universalizability
Overridingness
Publicity
Practibility
33
Q

Prescriptivity

A

This refers to the practice or action guiding nature of morality

This trait of moral principles advises people and influences action

34
Q

Universalizability

A

Moral principles must apply to all who are in relatively the same situation

They must apply to all evaluative judgements

They must be used consistently

35
Q

Overridingness

A

An authority that takes precedence over other considerations including aesthetic, prudential and legal concerns

When principles conflict, one must override the other(s) for an action to be morally justified

36
Q

Publicity

A

Moral principles must be known by all and must be made public

Keeping a moral principle secret would defeat the purpose of having a moral principle

But “cultural defense”

37
Q

Practicability

A

Moral principles must be workable to all in the general society
Rules must not be too much for any one person
Rules must take human limitation into consideration
Difference in ethical standards occur over time and place

38
Q

Philosopher spotlight: Peter Singer

A

Ira W. Decamp
Professor of Bioethics,
Center for Human Values,
Princeton University

39
Q

Protest letter: Not everyone was pleased with Singer’s hiring by Princeton

A

We protest this hiring because Dr. Singer denies the intrinsic moral worth of an entire class of human beings- newborn children- and promotes policies that would deprive many infants with disabilities of their basic human right to legal protection against homicide

40
Q

Is there any such thing as moral expertise

A

Is the layman just as likely to be an expert in moral matters as the philosopher?

41
Q

Hard experts

A

Mathematics

Physics

Chemistry

42
Q

Soft experts

A

Art

Religion

Politics

43
Q

C.D. Broad’s opinion

A

“It is it part of the professional business of moral philosophers to tell people what they ought or ought not to do…

44
Q

C.D. Broad’s opinion cont.

A

Moral philosophers, as such, have no special information not available to the general public, about what is right and what is wrong; nor have they any call to undertake those hortatory functions which are so adequately performed by clergymen, politicians, leader- writers…”

45
Q

Peter Singer’s Response

A

First, his general training as a philosopher should make him more than ordinarily competent in argument and in the decision of invalid inferences (logical fallacies)

46
Q

Peter Singer’s Response cont.

A

Next, his specific experience in moral Philosophy gives him an understanding of moral concepts (ethical theories) and if the logic of moral argument.

47
Q

Peter Singer’s Response cont. cont.

A

Finally, there is the simple fact that the moral philosopher can, if he wants, think full-time about moral issues, while most other people have some occupation to pursue which interferes with such reflection.

48
Q

Peter Singer’s Response cont. cont. CONTINUEDDDDD

A

Moral philosophers have, then, certain advantages which could make them, relative to those who lack these advantages, experts in matters of morals

49
Q

Generally speaking though, philosophers do not accept a statement solely on _____

A

The basis of an individual’s authority, no matter how eminent

50
Q

Knowing your facts

A

Of course, to be moral experts, it would be necessary for moral philosophers to do some fact finding on whatever issue they were considering. But knowing the facts does not necessarily resolve the ethical quandary

51
Q

What ethics is NOT

Peter Singer

A
  1. Ethics is not about a set of prohibitions particularly concerned with sex. There are other ethical issues to discuss.
  2. Ethics is not an ideal system that is noble in theory but no good in practice
52
Q

What ethics is NOT cont.

Peter Singer

A
  1. Ethics is not something intelligible only in the context of religion. It is possible to think critically and responsibly about ethical issues independently of religious consideration
53
Q

What Ethics is NOT
Peter Singer
Cont cont

A
  1. Ethics is not relative or subjective

Is it still possible… to give reasons for choosing one way of life in preference to another? Is it all a matter of what will make us happier, or live a more meaningful and fulfilling life?

54
Q

Rational Scrutiny

A

One objective in this course is to reexamine our ethical intuitions, especially those that have not been subjected to rational scrutiny

55
Q

Some ways NOT to answer moral questions

A
  1. Personal preferences and opinions.
  2. Why thinking it so does not make it so
  3. The irrelevance of statistics
56
Q

The Ideal Moral Judgment

A
  1. Conceptual clarity
  2. Information
  3. Rationality
  4. Impartiality
  5. Coolness
  6. Valid moral principles
57
Q

No double standards allowed

A
  1. Have important concepts been analyzed, and if so, have they been analyzed correctly?
  2. Does the author argue from a basis of knowledge of the real life settings in which a moral question arises?
  3. Is he author rational? (Do the arguments presented observe the rules of logic?)
58
Q

No double standards allowed cont.

A
  1. Is there a lack of appropriate impartiality? ( is someone, or some group, arbitrarily favored over others?)
  2. Are things argued for in a state of strong emotion? (Are deep feelings vented in the place of hard thinking?)
  3. Are the moral principles used valid ones? (Is any effort expended to show that they meet the appropriate criteria?)
59
Q

Ethical Assessment

Generally there are four domains which evaluate rules of right conduct

A

Action

Consequences

Character

Motive

60
Q
  1. Action
A

Actions are usually termed right or wrong.
Right can be an ambiguous term
Right can mean: obligatory or permissible

61
Q

Right Action - 2 types

A

Optional act- an act not obligatory or wrong to do; not your duty to do or not to do

Obligatory act - an act you must do; you are required to do; you may not refrain from doing it

62
Q

Wrong acts

A

One has an obligation or duty to refrain from doing this action

One ought not to do the action at all

It is not an act that is permissible for one to do

63
Q

Supererogatory Acts

A

These actions are within the range of permissible acts
These are highly altruistic acts
These are not required or obligatory acts
They exceed what morality requires
They go beyond “the call of duty”

64
Q

Deontological actions

A

Deon is from the Greek word duty
These theories emphasize the nature of an action
They hold that there is something inherently good or right about certain actions and wrong or bad about other actions

65
Q
  1. Consequences
A

Actions based on the foreseeable outcome of decision
Theories that focus on consequences in determining what is moral/right or immoral/wrong are termed:
Teleological Ethical Theories
Telos is Greek and means goal directed

66
Q
  1. Character
A

Character reflects actions that emphasize virtue
Virtue empowers character to do good
Most moral theories consider virtue to be important
But, virtue is not always central to all moral theories

67
Q
  1. Motive
A

Moral actions take into account the intention or motivation of the act prior to the act itself
The full assessment of na act considers intention or motive
Motive and intent are relevant factors in any given action

Philosphy (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions