Questions and Answers
What is the study of right and wrong without any significant use of religion or belief in God?
What is the mind's power to understand, crucial in developing a personal ethic?
Reason
What ethical perspective believes human beings should use reason and faith in Jesus Christ to determine right and wrong?
Catholic Ethics
What is the study of moral right and wrong, good and bad called?
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Morality is often used as a synonym for what word?
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What uses both philosophy and theology in figuring out right and wrong?
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What has God told us about God's self and creation?
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What type of ethics thinks secular ethics has something important to say?
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What is a perfect act in ethical terms?
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What is an imperfect act in ethical terms?
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A person's level of what can change even though the moral goodness or badness of an act may not?
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What do you call a person who acts in a moral or immoral situation?
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What do the circumstances surrounding a moral act affect?
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What does the intention of an action represent?
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Which of the following domains of ethical assessment best reflects the perspective 'The right thing to do is to MAXIMIZE WELFARE'?
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Which of the following domains of ethical assessment best reflects the perspective 'The right thing to do is to respect a person's freedom'?
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Which of the following domains of ethical assessment best reflects the perspective 'The right thing to do is to promote certain virtues in people and society'?
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What is the name for the fallacy that attacks a person's character rather than addressing the argument?
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What is the name of the fallacy that assumes the conclusion in the premises?
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What is the highest good for a human being according to some ethical views?
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What fallacy argues against the trustworthiness of a witness merely based on their past actions?
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What do you call a dismissal of an argument by questioning the emotional state of a person?
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What is defined as socially approved habits that differ from one society to another?
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What are the two rules of relativism?
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What describes a type of sin wherein a person does not act with full knowledge and freedom?
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What is a set of uncoordinated, unconscious, impulsive behaviors and animalistic urges called?
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What is our innate capacity to know and do the good?
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What is the ability to act or not act and to be responsible for the actions one makes called?
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What is a form of conditioning that trains involuntary responses, such as dogs salivating at the sound of a bell?
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What comes from deep levels of our being and jeopardizes relationships with others and God?
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Study Notes
Ethical Concepts and Definitions
- Secular Ethics: The study of right and wrong independent of religious influences or belief in God.
- Reason: The mind's capacity to understand, essential for developing a personal ethic.
- Catholic Ethics: An ethical view that incorporates both reason and faith in Jesus Christ to assess morality.
- Ethics: The study of moral right and wrong, encompassing concepts of good and bad.
- Morality: Often synonymous with ethics, pertains to principles of right conduct.
Moral Responsibility and Ethical Evaluation
- Perfect Act: An act demonstrating full responsibility for one’s actions.
- Imperfect Act: An act showing a deficit in knowledge and consent, affecting moral responsibility.
- Moral Responsibility: A person's level can fluctuate, while the inherent morality of an act may remain unchanged.
- Agent: Refers to an individual acting within a moral context.
Circumstances and Intentions in Ethics
- Circumstances: Surrounding factors cannot convert an inherently immoral act into a good one but can influence moral accountability.
- Intention: The rationale behind an action, clarifying why a choice was made.
Domains of Ethical Assessment
- Consequence: The ethical perspective prioritizing the maximization of welfare as the right action.
- Intention: The viewpoint emphasizing the respect of a person's freedom in ethical decision-making.
- Character: The domain focusing on promoting virtues within individuals and society as ethically right.
Logical Fallacies in Ethical Discussions
- Ad Hominem: Attacking a person's character rather than addressing the argument; e.g., dismissing views on capital punishment based on the person's status.
- Begging the Question: Circular reasoning; assertions are based on the very premise being questioned, as seen in claims about happiness being the highest good.
Relativism and Moral Perspectives
- Moral Relativist: Views morality as varying by society and claims that no one set of rules applies universally.
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Rules of Relativism:
- No universal moral rules exist.
- Imposing personal beliefs on others is considered wrong.
Types of Sin and Psychological Concepts
- Sin of Omission: Failing to act when one has the knowledge and freedom to do so.
- Id: A component of the psyche filled with uncoordinated, basic instinctual drives.
- Synderesis: The innate ability to understand and pursue good.
- Freedom: The capacity to choose or refrain from action, carrying responsibility for those choices.
Conditioning and Sin
- Classical Conditioning: A form of learning where involuntary responses are conditioned to stimuli, exemplified by Pavlov's dogs.
- Mortal Sin: Serious sin that can jeopardize one’s relationship with God and others, originating from deep personal crises.
- Conscience: Can involve a reflexive response to one’s actions post-decision, often resulting in remorse for ill-fated choices.
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Description
Test your understanding of secular and Catholic ethics with this semester 1 flashcard quiz. Explore key definitions and concepts related to the study of right and wrong, ethical reasoning, and the role of religion in ethics. Perfect for students studying ethical theories and perspectives.