Term
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Definition
| The formal study of morality. |
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| The 2 branches of formal ethics |
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Definition
1. Pure Ethics (consisting of normative and metaethics)
2. Applied Ethics |
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Term
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Definition
| Normative ethics is concerned with what actions are "right" and what makes a person "good." |
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Term
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Definition
| Metaethics is concerned with the definition of moral terms such as "good" and the question of whether or not there are absolute moral values. |
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Term
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Definition
| Applied Ethics focuses on specific moral problems (euthanasia, abortion, violence, etc). |
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Term
| Two main types of Normative Ethics and their definitions |
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Definition
1. Deontological Ethics: Advances theories that evaluate actions in terms of the concept of duty (Kantian and Rawlsian ethics).
2. Consequentialist ethics: Proposes theories that evaluate actions based on their results (Utilitarianism and ethical egoism). |
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Term
| Kantian ethics argues that an action has moral worth if.. |
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Definition
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Term
| Definition of duty according to Kant |
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Definition
| Duty is a specific moral rule that is derivable from a universal moral code. |
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Term
| According to Kant, a good will is... |
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Definition
| one that is influenced by reason alone (without emotion). |
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Term
| According to Kant, a will is... |
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Definition
| a faculty (power held by the mind) to deduce duty from moral law. |
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Term
| Three motives of action according to Kant: |
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Definition
1. Self-interest
2. Natural inclination
3. Duty |
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Term
| According to Kant, what is an imperative and what are the two kinds? |
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Definition
An imperative is a highly general rule that corrects an imperfect action governed by emotion.
Two kinds of imperative:
1. Hypothetical imperative - if you want X, do Y.
2. Categorical imperative - do Y.
*Only a categorical imperative is universally binding b/c it is not governed by a specific want that may not be shared by everyone. |
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Term
| Two versions of the categorical imperative: |
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Definition
1. Universality/Reversibility version: Always act in such a way that the rule governing your actions can be willed to be universal moral law (do unto others as you would like to be done to you).
2. Means-end formulation: Always act in such a way as to treat humanity, collectively or individually, as not just a means, but an end in itself. (don't use people) |
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Term
| What is the significance of the third version of the categorical imperative? |
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Definition
| We all have dignity because morality comes from us, not from a transcendent source. |
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Term
| What is the Kingdom of Ends? |
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Definition
| The ideal moral situation in which all actions are governed by reason alone, and abstracted from goals, purposes, and emotion. |
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Term
Mill's Theory of Good:
Mill's Theory of Right: |
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Definition
Theory of Good: The highest good for humanity is happiness (defined as the absence of pain and the presence of happiness).
Theory of Right (Principle of Utility): An action is right if it promotes the general happiness. |
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Term
| Rawls' neo-Kantian theory of distributive justice |
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Definition
| Distributive justice advances the criteria for the fair distribution of political/economic benefits and burdens in society. |
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Term
| Rawls argues that any adequate theory of distributive justice must satisfy the... |
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Definition
| Material Principle of Justice: persons who are relevantly similar should be treated similarly and those who are relevantly dissimilar should be treated dissimilarly. |
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Term
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Definition
| Without know the results of an actions, always choose the option that generates the least worst outcome. |
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Term
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Definition
| An action is right if it maximizes utility (relative to other courses of action) for the individual performing the action. |
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