Ethics Key Terms

Question 1

Absolute ethics

Answer 1

An ethical theory such as Kantianism which argues that x should always be done, regardless of circumstance

Question 2

Act Utilitarianism

Answer 2

Argues that one should always perform that individual act which will lead to the greatest balance of good over evil. Main supporter Jeremy Bentham

Question 3

A Posteriori

Answer 3

That which can be known to be true only through sense experience. E.g ‘There is a cat in that room.’ Can only be determined to be true by observation, directly or indirectly.

Question 4

A Priori

Answer 4

That which is knowable without reference to sense experience . The truth of ‘2+2=4’ follows from the definition of the terms, not from knowledge of things in the world. It does not mean innate.

Question 5

Categorical Imperative

Answer 5

Kant’s guide to duty which is morally obligatory, hence categorical. Q.v. Principle of Universalisation

Question 6

Cognitive Language

Answer 6

Language about which it is appropriate to ask whether it is true or false. ‘Cognitive’ is not a synonym for true. E.g ‘Paris is the capital of Vietnam’ is cognitive but false.

Question 7

Conscience

Answer 7

The faculty said to enable us to make moral decisions and to judge our own and the actions of others. Some have described it as the voice of God, or otherwise innate, but for Aquinus it is a species of practical reason.

Question 8

Deontological Ethics

Answer 8

Any ethical theory which argues that the rightness if an act lies in doing the right thing because it is the right thing in itself, regardless of any consequences.

Question 9

Determinism

Answer 9

Any theory which holds that events are the direct effects of previous causes without intervention of free choice

Question 10

Emotivism

Answer 10

The theory advanced principally by Logical Positivists that ethical sentences merely evince emotions and cannot be justified. Named the ‘Killing-boo’ theory by Winston Barnes. The emotion need not be felt by the one making the statement.

Question 11

Ethical Naturalism

Answer 11

A meta-ethical theory which holds that ‘good’ is a synonym for a purely natural quality, such as pleasure.

Question 12

Ethics of duty

Answer 12

The belief that right living means always performing one’s rationally determined duty. The term is often used to describe Kantian ethics.

Question 13

Eudaimonia

Answer 13

There is no exact translation of the Greek term, the goal of Aristotle’s virtue ethics. It is commonly translated as ‘flourishing’ or ‘happiness’ and has elements of both.

Question 14

Falsification

Answer 14

Devised by Karl Popper as a criterion of demarcation between the scientific and non scientific. It argues that science advances by proving theories false and devising better ones.

Question 15

Hedonic Calculus

Answer 15

Bentham’s attempt to construct a system which would determine, on strict utilitarian principles, precisely the right action to take in any circumstance that may arise. The experiment failed.

Question 16

Hypothetical Imperative

Answer 16

Kant contrasts this with the Categorical Imperative. The latter is obligatory, the hypothetical is not. E.g if I wish to go to university, there are steps I must take, but there is no obligation to go to university.

Question 17

Intuitionism

Answer 17

The ethical theory, associated with G.E Moore, that one simply intuits the good, it is a category of mind.

Question 18

Meta Ethics

Answer 18

Considers the meaning and justification of ethics. Normative Ethivs (q.v.) attempts to show we should live, while meta ethics considers the meaning of terms such as ‘good’ and ‘right’.

Question 19

Moral responsibility

Answer 19

The idea that people are responsible for their own actions, except in cases of immaturity or mental illness etc, and thus are open to blame.

Question 20

Natural Law

Answer 20

‘Right reason in accordance with nature.’ This believes that by reason alone we can determine Whig actions are good or bad for human flourishing.

Question 21

Negative Utilitarianism

Answer 21

Instead of seeking to maximise pleasure, this seeks to minimise suffering. Peter Singer is a major advocate.

Question 22

Non Cognitive Language

Answer 22

Language about which it is inappropriate to ask whether it is true or false. E.g, prayers, curses, poetry

Question 23

Normative Ethics

Answer 23

Ethical theories which inform people how they should act.

Question 24

Phenomenon

Answer 24

That which is presented to us in sense experience. Kant, the most significant Phenominalist, argues that we can never know the world as it is, only as it is presented to us in a sense experience.

Question 25

Preference Utilitarianism

Answer 25

Adopted by John Stuart Mill and Peter Singer, argues we should seek always the good we would rationally prefer rather then simply our selfish desires

Question 26

Prescriptivism

Answer 26

Developed by R.M. Hare, argues that ethical norms should be seen not as verifiable propositions but prescriptions for behaviour. They are thus open to logical analysis for their consistency with other prescriptions.

Question 27

Principle of Universalisation

Answer 27

Otherwise known as the First Form of the Categorical Imperative (Kant). It argues that we should act only on that maxim which we can at the same time will to be universal law.

Question 28

Principle of Utility

Answer 28

Holds that we should act so as to seek the greatest balance of good over evil. This should be the sole guide to action. Jeremy Bentham modified the principle as ‘the greatest good of the greatest number’ but other utilitarian thinkers rejected the modification, not least because it smuggles in a controversial second principle of justice.

Question 29

Relativist ethics

Answer 29

This holds that there are no moral absolutes and every judgement is relative to such things as culture and circumstance. This should not be confused with Situation Ethics, which does believe in the moral absolutes of always doing the loving thing (Fletcher) or requires that one must in every circumstance do what is right (Temple), while being situational in application.

Question 30

Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 30

Argues that we should always follow the rule general adherence to which will lead to the greatest parlance of good over evil. John Stuart Mill supported this, especially in On Liberty.

Question 31

Subjectivism

Answer 31

The ethical view that the right making feature of an ethical utterance is that I have chosen it. There is no other criterion. The view is found especially in the views of existentialists, notably Jean-Paul Sartre.

Question 32

Teleological Ethics

Answer 32

Any ethical theory- such as Utilitarianism- which argues the goodness or badness of an action according to its consequences. (q.v. Deontological Ethics)

Question 33

Summum Bonum

Answer 33

Term used by Kant to indicate a (post mortem) state combining the highest virtue with the highest happiness.

Question 34

Utilitarianism

Answer 34

A teleological (consequentialist) ethical philosophy which attempts to solve the issue of dilemma in choices by offering the single principle that we should seek always the greatest balance of good over evil.

Question 35

Verification

Answer 35

Devised by the Vienna Circle, argues that any proposition which is not a tautology or not empirically verifiable is meaningless. The strong verification principle demanded conclusive verification, but this ruled out all science (as no sense experience can ever be conclusively proven), later verificationists, notably A.J. Ayer, substituted weak verification, which demands only that one needed to state what experience would make the truth of the proposition possible.