Utilitarianism and Moral Decisions

Study Notes

Utilitarian Concepts

Utilitarian calculus is employed to evaluate the implications of actions based on the balance of pleasure versus pain.
Utilitarianism focuses on assessing actions through their consequences, aiming for the greatest overall happiness.

Moral Implications

Moral tragedy arises when decisions lead to regret, highlighting the complexity of moral judgment.
Gage's accident demonstrates the impact of physical injury on moral reasoning abilities, affecting ethical decision-making.

Emotional Perspectives

Guilt serves as a moral sentiment that prompts individuals to rectify perceived wrongs, acting as an internal corrective mechanism.
Shame reflects the discomfort associated with breaching societal norms, influencing behavior and self-perception.

Stages of Moral Development

Preconventional stages define morality in self-centered terms, focusing on individual consequences.
Conventional stages involve seeking moral guidance from societal norms and peer influences.
Postconventional stages represent a shift towards universal principles, facilitating moral decisions based on broader ethical frameworks.

Ethical Perspectives

Justice perspective emphasizes duty and moral principles, leading to a more formal approach to ethical reasoning.
Care perspective prioritizes relational context and emotional connections, advocating for a balanced approach in moral development.

Influences on Moral Development

Carol Gilligan posits that women's moral development often diverges from conventional models, suggesting alternative pathways.
Cultural relativism asserts that moral judgments are shaped by societal norms, reinforcing the idea that ethics can vary significantly across cultures.

Rights and Ethics

Welfare rights pertain to entitlements related to social goods necessary for well-being and a decent quality of life.
Liberty rights emphasize individual freedom to pursue legitimate interests without interference.

Core Principles

The principle of utility denotes that the ethical choice maximizes happiness for the majority while minimizing suffering.

Description

Explore key concepts related to utilitarian calculus and moral decision-making through these flashcards. Understand how pleasure and pain influence choices, along with the implications of moral tragedies. This quiz is ideal for students of ethics and philosophy.