Ethics Quiz - Semester 1

Questions and Answers

What is the study of right and wrong without any significant use of religion or belief in God?

Religious Ethics

Catholic Ethics

Moral Relativism

Secular Ethics (correct)

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?

Ethics Signup and view all the answers

Morality is often used as a synonym for what word?

Ethics Signup and view all the answers

What uses both philosophy and theology in figuring out right and wrong?

Catholic Ethics Signup and view all the answers

What has God told us about God's self and creation?

Revelation Signup and view all the answers

What type of ethics thinks secular ethics has something important to say?

Catholic Ethics Signup and view all the answers

What is a perfect act in ethical terms?

One that reveals a person has full responsibility for their actions Signup and view all the answers

What is an imperfect act in ethical terms?

One that reveals a lack of knowledge and consent, changing the moral responsibility of the person acting Signup and view all the answers

A person's level of what can change even though the moral goodness or badness of an act may not?

Moral responsibility Signup and view all the answers

What do you call a person who acts in a moral or immoral situation?

Agent Signup and view all the answers

What do the circumstances surrounding a moral act affect?

The level of moral responsibility of a person Signup and view all the answers

What does the intention of an action represent?

Why you have chosen to do the object in question Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following domains of ethical assessment best reflects the perspective 'The right thing to do is to MAXIMIZE WELFARE'?

Consequence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following domains of ethical assessment best reflects the perspective 'The right thing to do is to respect a person's freedom'?

Intention Signup and view all the answers

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'?

Character Signup and view all the answers

What is the name for the fallacy that attacks a person's character rather than addressing the argument?

Ad hominem Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the fallacy that assumes the conclusion in the premises?

Begging the question Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest good for a human being according to some ethical views?

Happiness Signup and view all the answers

What fallacy argues against the trustworthiness of a witness merely based on their past actions?

Ad hominem Signup and view all the answers

What do you call a dismissal of an argument by questioning the emotional state of a person?

Ad hominem fallacy Signup and view all the answers

What is defined as socially approved habits that differ from one society to another?

Moral Relativism Signup and view all the answers

What are the two rules of relativism?

There are no rules that apply to everyone; You can't impose your beliefs on anyone else Signup and view all the answers

What describes a type of sin wherein a person does not act with full knowledge and freedom?

Sin of Omission Signup and view all the answers

What is a set of uncoordinated, unconscious, impulsive behaviors and animalistic urges called?

Id Signup and view all the answers

What is our innate capacity to know and do the good?

Synderesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the ability to act or not act and to be responsible for the actions one makes called?

Freedom Signup and view all the answers

What is a form of conditioning that trains involuntary responses, such as dogs salivating at the sound of a bell?

Classical Conditioning Signup and view all the answers

What comes from deep levels of our being and jeopardizes relationships with others and God?

Mortal Sin Signup and view all the answers

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.
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.