Philosophy: Scope and Branches

The study of the nature and meaning of moral judgments.

Exploration of ethical theories providing guidelines for right actions.

Application of ethical theories to real-world issues.

Systems of thought that guide moral decisions (e.g., utilitarianism, deontology).

An ethical theory that focuses on maximizing overall happiness and well-being.

An ethical theory that focuses on moral duties and rules.

An example of an applied ethical dilemma.

Decisions arising from ethical principles.

A dilemma where a person faces competing moral obligations.

Situations with no clear right answer, challenging values, and hard choices.

Examining one's values to make consistent and purposeful decisions.

In ethical dilemmas, all options have potential negative outcomes impacting values.

Analyzing consequences, duties, and priorities to solve ethical dilemmas.

Individual principles that guide decisions and behavior in ethical dilemmas.

Conflict arising when loyalty vs. whistleblowing takes place in the workplace.

Different viewpoints on the solution of ethical dilemmas due to personal values and beliefs.

A moral framework that judges actions based on their results or consequences.

A universal law for moral conduct, meaning you act only according to rules you would want everyone to follow.

A moral philosophy that emphasizes character development and practicing virtues in everyday life.

A Greek term for human flourishing or happiness, achieved through cultivating virtues.

Consequentialism judges actions based on their outcomes, while Deontology judges actions based on their adherence to rules.

Utilitarianism suggests doing so if it leads to greater happiness for the most people.

Virtue ethics focuses on developing good character traits and using them to make decisions.

Utilitarianism aims to maximize overall happiness and well-being by considering the consequences of actions.

Deontology emphasizes following moral duties and rules, even if it means sacrificing individual rights.

Consequentialism focuses on outcomes, while deontology focuses on moral rules.

Virtue ethics encourages making decisions that reflect good character traits, but also emphasizes moderation and self-care.

The right to control how personal information is collected, used, and shared.

Concerns about the ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence, including job displacement and bias in decision-making.

The ethical responsibility to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access or attacks.

The question of whether robots and AI systems should have moral considerations similar to humans.

Moral philosophy focused on developing virtuous character and living a good life.

Aristotle's idea that virtue lies between extremes, like courage being the balance between recklessness and cowardice.

Moral philosophy based on following moral rules and duties, regardless of consequences.

The ethical principle that doctors should protect patient information, even when it might harm others. This raises complex questions, such as when organ donation is involved and who should receive this limited resource.

Different philosophies provide guidelines for ethical decision-making when faced with complex situations. For example, utilitarianism focuses on maximizing overall happiness, while Kantian ethics emphasizes following moral rules.

The study of people's moral beliefs and behaviors without judgment. It examines how people actually behave and think about ethics, not whether their actions are right or wrong.

Helps us understand how moral norms and values differ within societies and cultures. It provides insightful information for making informed decisions about ethical issues.

Descriptive ethics aims to study what people believe is right and wrong, and how these beliefs affect their actions. It uses empirical research to gather data about diverse moral views.

Descriptive ethics doesn't evaluate the correctness of moral beliefs or behaviors. It focuses on understanding and describing them as a neutral observer.

Descriptive ethics uses scientific or sociological methods to explore ethical patterns and behaviors. It relies on facts rather than subjective moral opinions.

Descriptive ethics might examine why some cultures view eating meat as morally acceptable while others, like vegetarian communities, condemn it.