Ethics and Humanism Overview

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Questions and Answers

What are the three important elements that make an action a 'Human Act'?

Knowledge, Freedom, and Voluntariness.

How does ethics relate to humanism?

Ethics is intrinsically linked to humanism as it focuses on the morality of human conduct.

What does moral responsibility in human acts imply?

It implies that the doer is liable for the consequences of their actions.

What is the Greek ideal of full human development?

It views man as composed of potentialities and abilities for growth and development. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Mens Sana in Corpore Sano' mean?

'A healthy mind in a healthy body.' Signup and view all the answers

Why are communication skills important in the context of being human?

They enable effective interaction and the ability to express ideas and persuade others. Signup and view all the answers

What role does mental ability play in human humanity?

It allows individuals to think, reason, and make decisions. Signup and view all the answers

How does freedom contribute to the nature of a human act?

It ensures that actions are performed without external coercion. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Greek word 'AESTHETIKOS' relate to in the context of beauty?

It refers to being perceptive of things through sensation, feelings, and intuitions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of LOGIC in philosophy?

It studies the correctness and validity of reasoning. Signup and view all the answers

How is ETHICS defined in relation to human conduct?

ETHICS is a practical philosophy that deals with the morality of human actions. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes ETHICS from MORALITY?

ETHICS is often influenced by external standards, while MORALITY is based on personal beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the aim of studying ETHICS according to its traditional goal?

The aim is to seek the good with the aid of reason. Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle's 'Nicomachean Ethics', what does the text primarily address?

It addresses the nature of happiness and how to achieve it. Signup and view all the answers

What does ETHOS mean in the context of ETHICS?

ETHOS refers to custom, manner, or character. Signup and view all the answers

Why is there no single absolute definition of ETHICS?

Because ETHICS is constantly evolving with changes in societal, cultural, and political contexts. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Greeks, how can man achieve the fullness of his existence?

By developing his potentials and abilities to the level of excellence. Signup and view all the answers

In the Oriental view of human existence, what is meant by living a life with purpose?

It means finding one's meaning in life and losing oneself to it as part of something greater. Signup and view all the answers

What do Hindus believe is the Greater Reality?

The Greater Reality is the Brahman, the Hindu God, who is holy and sacred. Signup and view all the answers

What separates man from God according to Hindu beliefs?

Sin separates man from God. Signup and view all the answers

What does Confucius see as the Greater Reality?

The Greater Reality is the human society. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three social units in Confucianism where one must perform obligations?

The Family, the circle of Friends, and the Community or the State. Signup and view all the answers

What does living a life of sacrifice entail in Hindu beliefs?

It involves seeking the needs of others before oneself and helping without expecting anything in return. Signup and view all the answers

How does sacrifice prepare man for the time of death according to Hinduism?

It readies his soul to return to God, the rightful master of life. Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of the word 'psychology'?

The word 'psychology' originates from the Greek word 'psyche', meaning mind, soul, or spirit. Signup and view all the answers

Define epistemology in a brief statement.

Epistemology is the study of knowledge, including its origin, nature, extent, and veracity. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term theodicy examine?

Theodicy examines the nature, goodness, and justice of God and the relationship between God and man. Signup and view all the answers

What does practical philosophy aim to achieve?

Practical philosophy aims to apply knowledge and wisdom to address daily living challenges. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of semantics?

Semantics focuses on the study of the meaning of words and their roles as symbols in human thought. Signup and view all the answers

How is axiology defined in philosophical terms?

Axiology investigates what makes things, persons, or events desirable, valuable, or significant. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of study does aesthetics cover?

Aesthetics is a philosophical study that deals with beauty and the arts. Signup and view all the answers

What Greek word does 'theory of knowledge' translate from?

'Theory of knowledge' translates from the Greek word 'episteme'. Signup and view all the answers

What does the JUDEO-CHRISTIAN TRADITION contribute to the understanding of ethics?

It introduces the idea of righteousness before God and the love of God and neighbor. Signup and view all the answers

How does ethics differ from morality?

Ethics is the theory of right actions, while morality is the practice or application of those ethical theories. Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of normative ethics?

Normative ethics seeks to set norms or standards that regulate right and wrong conduct. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of questions does meta ethics explore?

Meta ethics explores questions related to the nature and dynamics of ethical principles, asking 'What is good?' Signup and view all the answers

What does applied ethics involve?

Applied ethics involves the actual application of ethical theories to determine what actions are appropriate in specific situations. Signup and view all the answers

In the provided example, what does meta ethics indicate about the police officer's action?

Meta ethics suggests that the act of killing is morally wrong regardless of the circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

How does normative ethics justify the police officer's decision in the situation described?

Normative ethics may justify the shooting as the right action to prevent greater harm, such as the death of innocent people. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of meta ethics in relation to moral beliefs?

The primary aim of meta ethics is to understand how we learn and acquire moral beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ethics: Definition and Humanism

Ethics is the practical study of human conduct's morality.
A human act stems from deliberate free will; the actor is consciously aware and intentional.
Three elements define a human act: knowledge (awareness), freedom (uncoerced), and voluntariness (knowledge and freedom present).
Human acts entail moral responsibility for consequences.

Humanism and Ethical Models

Greek Ideal: Full human development encompasses physical, mental, communication, and social abilities. Achieving excellence in these areas leads to a fulfilling life ("mens sana in corpore sano").
Oriental View: A fulfilling life involves being part of something greater, finding purpose and meaning, often through selflessness and sacrifice (Hinduism) or fulfilling social obligations (Confucianism). Hinduism emphasizes the importance of the Atman (soul) and the Brahman (God), with sin causing separation and requiring sacrifice to regain sanctity. Confucianism values fulfilling obligations to family, friends, and community.

Psychology: Studies the mind, soul, and spirit, their roles in human functioning and social groups.
Epistemology: Examines knowledge's origin, nature, extent, and truth.
Theodicy: Explores God's nature, being, goodness, and justice, and God-human relationships.
Philosophy of Man: Focuses on human nature and essence, including social and political aspects.

Practical Philosophy

Practical philosophy applies knowledge and wisdom to everyday life, solving problems and reducing anxieties. It provides principles for action.
Branches include semantics (meaning of words and symbols), axiology (values and importance), aesthetics (beauty and art), logic (correct reasoning), and ethics (morality of human conduct).

Ethics and Morality

Ethics and morality are often used interchangeably, but some distinctions might be: ethics are standards imposed by external groups (e.g., professional ethics), while morality is personal sense of right and wrong.
Ethics (from the Greek "ethos," meaning custom) studies right and wrong actions and the good life. It seeks to define right conduct and the good life, acknowledging that definitions change across time and contexts.
The Greek tradition linked ethics to the "good life" and happiness (Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics). The Judeo-Christian tradition emphasized righteousness before God and love of God and neighbor. Reconciling these perspectives is challenging, preventing an absolute definition of ethics.
Ethics studies moral principles systematically, while morality describes the practice of right and wrong behavior. Ethics is theory; Morality is practice.

Types of Ethics

Normative ethics: Prescriptive, setting moral standards and guidelines for behavior.
Meta-ethics: Descriptive and analytical, exploring the nature and dynamics of ethical principles and moral belief acquisition.
Applied ethics: Applies ethical and moral theories to specific situations to determine appropriate actions. Examining an action (police shooting a terrorist) through these lenses demonstrates their differences.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of ethics and humanism in this quiz. Understand the components of human acts, the moral responsibilities involved, and how different cultures perceive fulfillment through ethical models. Test your knowledge on the interplay between cultural beliefs and ethical practices.