Ethics and Morality Overview

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Questions and Answers

Ethics is derived from which Greek word?

Telos

Pathos

Logos

Ethos (correct)

Which of the following is NOT an assumption of ethics according to philosophy?

Humans are passionate

Humans are free

Humans are motivated solely by desires (correct)

Humans are rational

Morality is best described as the quality of human acts by which we call them:

Fast or slow

Legal or illegal

Strong or weak

Right, wrong, or indifferent (correct)

What is NOT considered a Human Act?

Heartbeat Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT part of a moral act?

External environment Signup and view all the answers

Which theory judges actions by their causal consequences?

Utilitarianism Signup and view all the answers

According to Utilitarianism, an action is morally right if it:

Produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number Signup and view all the answers

One criticism of Utilitarianism is that it:

Justifies violations of human rights for majority happiness Signup and view all the answers

Categorical Imperative emphasizes that one should act only on maxims that:

Could become a universal law Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical principle involves treating others as ends in themselves, not merely as means?

Respect for Persons Signup and view all the answers

Categorical Imperative was developed by:

Immanuel Kant Signup and view all the answers

What is a central problem of the Categorical Imperative theory?

It sets standards that may be attainable only by 'angels and saints' Signup and view all the answers

A key question in Universalizability is:

Do I want others to do the same in my situation? Signup and view all the answers

According to Categorical Imperative, moral worth comes from:

The intention behind the action Signup and view all the answers

In Categorical Imperative, treating humanity as an end in itself means:

Acknowledging people’s intrinsic worth Signup and view all the answers

In Situational Ethics, a moral action is judged by:

The specific context and situation Signup and view all the answers

Which is a problem associated with Situational Ethics?

It presumes what one believes to be right is correct Signup and view all the answers

Prima Facie Duties are:

Circumstantial duties that vary by situation Signup and view all the answers

The Duty of Fidelity means:

Fulfilling promises and agreements Signup and view all the answers

The Duty of Self-Improvement emphasizes:

Enhancing personal virtues and intelligence Signup and view all the answers

Authoritarian Ethics is based on:

Compliance with authority Signup and view all the answers

Self-Realization Ethics promotes:

Pursuing personal maximum potential Signup and view all the answers

Which theory argues that morality is not absolute but relative?

Pragmatism Signup and view all the answers

Cultural Relativism suggests that what is morally right or wrong:

Varies according to cultural norms Signup and view all the answers

The Communist Ethics model emphasizes:

Equal distribution of goods and services Signup and view all the answers

Work is primarily defined as:

an activity done for leisure Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ethics

Derived from the Greek word "Ethos", meaning custom, habit, or character
Assumptions: Humans are rational, free, and passionate
Not an assumption: Humans are motivated solely by desires

Morality

The quality of human acts that we categorize as right, wrong, or indifferent
Human Acts: Deliberate decision-making, voluntary helping, Intentional action
Not Human Acts: Heartbeat
Moral act components: Intention or motive, Means of the act, End of the act
Not a component of a moral act: External environment

Ethical Theories

Utilitarianism: Judges actions by their consequences, morally right action produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number
- Criticism: Justifies violations of human rights for majority happiness
Categorical Imperative: Emphasizes acting only on maxims that could become a universal law
- Developed by Immanuel Kant
- Problem: Sets standards that may be attainable only by "angels and saints"
- Universalizability: Key question is whether we would want others to act in the same way in the same situation
- Moral worth: Comes from the intention behind the action, not the result
- Treating humanity as an end in itself: Acknowledges people’s intrinsic worth
Situational Ethics: A moral action is judged by the specific context and situation
- Problem: Presumes what one believes to be right is correct
Prima Facie Duties: Circumstantial duties that vary by situation
- Duty of Fidelity: Fulfilling promises and agreements
- Duty of Self-Improvement: Enhancing personal virtues and intelligence
Authoritarian Ethics: Based on compliance with authority
Self-Realization Ethics: Promotes pursuing personal maximum potential
Cultural Relativism: Suggests that what is morally right or wrong varies according to cultural norms
Communist Ethics: Emphasizes equal distribution of goods and services

Work

Primarily defined as a sustained mental or physical effort directed towards a goal

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of ethics and morality in this quiz. Delve into ethical theories, human acts, and the components that define moral actions. Test your understanding of rationality, intention, and the implications of ethical decision-making.