Utilitarianism and Moral Decisions
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Utilitarianism and Moral Decisions

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@BeneficialThermodynamics

Questions and Answers

What does utilitarian calculus refer to?

  • A historical event in morality
  • Determining pleasure and pain from actions (correct)
  • A type of social norm
  • A stage of moral development
  • What occurs during a moral tragedy?

    Regret after making a moral decision

    What incident is associated with Gage?

    A metal rod went through his skull, affecting his moral reasoning

    What is guilt?

    <p>A moral sentiment that motivates correction of a wrong</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is shame a result of?

    <p>The violation of a social norm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are preconventional stages in moral development?

    <p>Egotistical definitions of morality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do conventional stages of moral development involve?

    <p>Looking to others for moral guidance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes postconventional stages?

    <p>Moral decisions based on universal moral principles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the justice perspective?

    <p>Emphasis on duty and principles in moral reasoning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the care perspective emphasize?

    <p>Context and relationships in moral development</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Carol Gilligan?

    <p>A scholar who argued for a different path in women's moral development</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is cultural relativism?

    <p>Looking to societal norms for moral guidance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is utilitarianism?

    <p>A moral philosophy evaluating actions based on their consequences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the principle of utility state?

    <p>The most moral action maximizes happiness and minimizes pain for the greatest number</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are welfare rights?

    <p>Rights to receive essential social goods</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are liberty rights?

    <p>Rights to be left alone to pursue legitimate interests</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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.

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    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.

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