Key Terms

Question 1

Deontology

Answer 1

• deon = duty
  Its the thought that counts
  Kant

Question 2

Teleology

Answer 2

• telos = purpose
  The end game
  Virtue ethics

Question 3

Consequentialist

Answer 3

• consequences
  End justifies the means
  Utilitarianism

Question 4

Absolute morality

Answer 4

There is an ethical absolute - a rule, that is true in all times, places & situations. i.e some actions are intrinsically wrong (wrong within themselves)

Question 5

Relative morality

Answer 5

All morals, principals or codes are relative to the time,place, culture, and situation. i.e theres no such thing as a good action in itself but only a good action for that time.

Question 6

Objective

Answer 6

focus on the bigger picture

Question 7

Normal pattern…

Answer 7

Deontological ethics are absolute as duty never changes

Consequentialist ethics are relative as they consider consequences which means they consider situation.

Question 8

Strengths of absolutism

Answer 8

• provides a universal code to measure everything against
• absolutism enables us to have UN & human rights
• easier to apply than relativism
• life contains many situations which people intrinsically take an absolutist approach to e.g cruelty to a baby is wrong

Question 9

Weaknesses of absolutism

Answer 9

• doesn’t consider different circumstances
• How does anyone know what absolute moral are?
• not concerned with the motive or outcome of action

Question 10

Strengths of relativism

Answer 10

• flexible
• focuses on people
• allows people to take responsibility

Question 11

Weaknesses of relativism

Answer 11

• Judgements are always subjective
• No two people may agree on one judgement
• doesn’t allow society to progress - e.g. some things like genocide have always got to be wrong.
• more difficult to apply than absolutism