Let's Get Ethical
This area of ethics includes guidelines, norms, and codes of conduct.
What is normative ethics?
This is a "conviction or trust that a claim is true; an individual's subjective mental state; distinct from knowledge."
What is a belief?
This important concept from the Tao Te Ching does not mean never acting or being completely passive.
What is wu wei?
The primary goal of this "path" is to reduce selfish desires and suffering.
What is the Noble Eightfold Path?
This type of knowledge is the "skills needed to do things like play the piano, use a band saw, remove a tumor, or bake a cake."
What is practical knowledge?
Also called theoretical ethics, it "appraises the logical foundations and internal consistencies of ethical systems."
What is metaethics?
This type of belief requires evidence.
What is an informed belief?
Tao manifests itself through this concept found in the Tao Te Ching—it's often called the "function" of Tao.
What is te?
This doctrine, among other things, suggests that everything in existence is part of one interconnected whole.
What is the doctrine of Interdependent Origination?
"Breath," "energy," and "force" are some common translations of this term.
What is ch'i?
Sometimes considered part of normative ethics, this branch of philosophy is concerned with specific moral issues, especially controversial ones.
What is applied ethics?
This is "a conviction that something is true for which the only evidence is the sincerity of the believer."
What is a mere belief?
The Tao Te Ching encourages us to prefer (i.e., choose or lean toward) this quality of ch'i.
What is yin?
This is the Pali term for suffering caused by desire; it's one of the Three Marks of Existence and something those who are enlightened no longer experience.
What is dukkha?
This concept from ancient Chinese cosmology has attributes like warm, active, light, and strong.
What is yang?
The "golden rule," or "treat others as you would like to be treated," is a common example of this type of ethics.
What is normative ethics?
Though there is a bit more to it, a belief must be true in order to be considered this.
What is knowledge?
According to Chapter 67 of the Tao Te Ching, these things are our three greatest treasures.
What are simplicity, patience, and compassion?
These things—attachment, aversion, and ignorance—prevent us from reaching enlightenment.
What are the Three Poisons?
They're the Three Marks of Existence.
What are impermanence, suffering, and no-self? (Pali and Sanskrit terms are also acceptable)
Someone who specializes in this type of ethics is concerned with why we should act a certain way rather than how we should act.
What is metaethics?
This is often defined as a case of justified true belief without knowledge.
What is a Gettier case?
According to Chapter 3 of the Tao Te Ching, this is what happens when we "overesteem great men."
What is "people become powerless"?
It's the literal translation of the Sanskrit term "nirvana."
What is "extinguishing"? (Also acceptable: "blowing out")
It's the Sanskrit term for the Buddhist concept of "no-self."
What is anatman?