Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which characteristic does NOT describe moral standards?
Moral standards can be changed by laws or authoritative decisions.
False
Name two examples of non-moral standards.
Etiquette and law
Moral standards are associated with feelings of _____ and _____ related to ethical judgments.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following examples with their appropriate category:
Signup and view all the answers
What does the Greek word 'ethos' mean?
Signup and view all the answers
Moral philosophy includes the study of moral psychology.
Signup and view all the answers
What are the four ism concepts in ethics?
Signup and view all the answers
_____ is interested in the moral judgments made and the standards used to determine what is right or wrong.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following types of ethics with their descriptions:
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of rules?
Signup and view all the answers
Subjectivism asserts that moral truths are objective.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary concern of ethics?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Definition of Ethics
- Derived from Latin "ethnikos" and Greek "ethos," meaning habit, custom, character, and temperament.
- A branch of philosophy that explores "what is the best way for people to live?"
Moral Philosophy
- Includes studies in:
- Moral psychology
- Descriptive ethics
- Value theory
Ethical Dilemmas
- Address fundamental issues such as:
- The pursuit of a happy life
- Rights and obligations
- The concepts of right and wrong
Branches of Ethics
- Meta-Ethics: Investigates the nature and significance of moral judgments and values.
- Normative Ethics: Examines moral judgments and the standards that define right and wrong.
- Applied Ethics: Looks into specific contentious issues like war, animal rights, and the death penalty.
Focus of Ethics
- Concerned with the interests of:
- People
- Society
- God
- The ultimate good
Four Isms in Ethics
- Moral Realism: Posits the existence of objective moral truths beyond personal preferences.
- Subjectivism: Asserts that moral truths are relative to individual beliefs and feelings.
- Emotivism: Bases morality on expressions of emotions and attitudes.
- Prescriptivism: Recognizes the significance of individual perspectives but may accept objective moral truths.
Origins of Ethics
- Arises from various sources such as:
- Religious beliefs and divine guidance
- Human intuition and conscience
- Cost-benefit analyses of moral decisions
- Examples set by virtuous individuals
- Political power dynamics
Importance of Rules
- Protect social beings by regulating behavior.
- Ensure certain rights and freedoms for individuals.
- Foster a sense of justice within communities.
- Essential for maintaining a healthy economic system.
Moral Standards
- Define the norms regarding actions considered morally right or wrong.
- Promote the welfare and well-being of humans, animals, and the environment.
- Prescribe rights and obligations.
Characteristics of Moral Standards
- Address matters with significant potential to benefit or harm individuals and society.
- Are independent of authoritative decisions and backed by universal justification.
- Have precedence over self-interest and other standards.
- Are founded on principles of impartiality, ensuring fairness and justice.
- Accompany emotions (e.g., guilt, shame) and specific vocabulary (e.g., right, wrong).
Non-Moral Standards
- Refer to judgments of good or bad in a non-moral context, such as:
- Etiquette standards (manners)
- Legal standards (legal vs. illegal)
- Aesthetic standards (art evaluation)
- Distinction is important; morality should not be conflated with etiquette, legality, aesthetics, or religion.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your understanding of moral standards and their characteristics. This quiz explores the definitions of moral and non-moral standards, their emotional implications, and relevant philosophical terms like 'ethos'. Challenge yourself with matching examples to their categories.