Ethics—The Rules of the Game
This branch of philosophy studies morality and concepts of right and wrong.
What is ethics?
This ethical stance holds that moral truths exist independently of human beliefs.
What is objectivism?
A structured set of premises leading to a conclusion is called this.
What is an argument?
This ethical theory states that the right action is the one that produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
What is utilitarianism?
This philosopher’s moral theory focuses on duty rather than consequences.
Who is Immanuel Kant?
This theory, based on Aristotle’s work, emphasizes character and morality.
What is virtue ethics?
This ethical approach focuses on the logical structure and meaning of moral beliefs.
What is metaethics?
This theory argues that moral judgments are true if they align with cultural norms.
What is relativism?
A logically valid argument with true premises is considered this.
What is a sound argument?
This version of utilitarianism judges actions based on their immediate consequences rather than general rules.
What is act-utilitarianism?
Kant’s ethical rule that we should act only on maxims that could be universal laws is called this.
What is the categorical imperative?
The Aristotelian concept of human flourishing is known by this Greek term.
What is eudaimonia?
This ethical principle states that moral judgments must apply to all in similar situations.
What is the universal perspective?
The belief that each person determines their own morality and cannot be wrong about it is called this.
What is subjective relativism?
This logical fallacy misrepresents an opponent’s argument, making refuting it easier.
What is a straw man fallacy?
The principle stating that moral actions should promote overall well-being is called this.
What is the principle of utility?
This ethical rule states that we should always act in a way that respects others as valuable in themselves, not as tools for personal gain.
What is the means-ends principle?
In applied ethics, this controversial practice involves ending a person’s life to alleviate suffering.
What is euthanasia?
The belief that morality depends on God’s will is known as this.
What is divine command theory?
Cultural relativism argues that if morality is entirely based on cultural norms, societies could never achieve this over time.
What is moral progress?
This cognitive bias describes the tendency to seek information supporting our beliefs.
What is confirmation bias?
This theory claims that individuals should always act in their own best interest.
What is ethical egoism?
This ethical doctrine states that an action with both good and bad effects may be permissible if the intention was good.
What is the doctrine of double effect?
This ethical approach challenges traditional moral theories by prioritizing emotions, relationships, and context over abstract principles.
What is the ethics of care?
This philosophical question challenges whether something is good because a deity commands it, or if a deity commands it because it is inherently good.
What is the Euthyphro dilemma?
This ethical perspective claims moral statements are expressions of feeling rather than factual claims.
What is emotivism?
The tendency for people with low ability to overestimate their competence is known as this.
What is the Dunning-Kruger effect?
This objection to utilitarianism argues that the theory can justify sacrificing the rights of individuals for the greater good.
What is the justice objection?
According to natural law theory, moral laws are derived from this source.
What is human nature?
This ethical framework balances three key principles—respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.
What is principlism?