normative ethical theories

Question 1

teleological

Answer 1

focus on the consequences which any action may have

Question 2

deontological

Answer 2

the rightness or wrongness of an action is intrinsic to the act

Question 3

utilitarianism

Answer 3

comes from the greek word meaning usefulness

Question 4

hedonic calculus

Answer 4

a method of working out the sum total of pleasure and pain produced by an act and thus the total value of its consequences

Question 5

act utilitarianism

Answer 5

considers the consequences of each individual action

Question 6

rule utilitarianism

Answer 6

considers the consequences of past actions to form a rule to guide the present action

Question 7

quantity of pleasure

Answer 7

the amount of pleasure that can be calculated when making a moral decision

Question 8

quality of pleasure

Answer 8

how good the pleasure is

Question 9

high pleasures

Answer 9

pleasures of the mind such as art and education

Question 10

lower pleasure

Answer 10

pleasures of the body such as food and sex

Question 11

greatest happiness principle

Answer 11

actions that produce the most happiness are seen as the best course of action

Question 12

efficient cause

Answer 12

what brought something into existence

Question 13

material cause

Answer 13

what something is made from

Question 14

formal cause

Answer 14

what shape or form a thing takes

Question 15

final cause

Answer 15

the purpose of something

Question 16

telos

Answer 16

end or purpose

Question 17

absolute

Answer 17

a value or principle which is regarded as universally valid or which may be viewed without relation to other things

Question 18

virtue

Answer 18

behaviour showing high moral standards

Question 19

eudimonia

Answer 19

happiness or welfare “human flourishing”

Question 20

natural law

Answer 20

A body of unchanging moral principles regarded as a basis for all human conduct.

Question 21

rational principle

Answer 21

The assumption that people try to reach their goals.