FINALS REVIEWER IN ETHICS PDF

FINALS REVIEWER IN ETHICS 1. Deontology  From the Greek word deon, meaning "duty" or "obligation."  A normative ethical theory that emphasizes duties and rules as the basis of morality. 2. Duty  The moral obligation to act according to a set of rules or principles regardless of...

FINALS REVIEWER IN ETHICS 1. Deontology  From the Greek word deon, meaning "duty" or "obligation."  A normative ethical theory that emphasizes duties and rules as the basis of morality. 2. Duty  The moral obligation to act according to a set of rules or principles regardless of consequences. 3. Moral Rules  Prescriptive norms that dictate how individuals should act, often seen as absolute and universal in deontology. 4. Immanuel Kant  The philosopher most associated with deontological ethics.  Introduced the concept of the categorical imperative as the foundation of moral duties. 5. Categorical Imperative  A universal principle that dictates that an action is morally right if it can be consistently willed as a universal law.  Key formulations include: o Universalizability Principle: Act only according to maxims that can be universal laws. o Humanity Principle: Treat humanity, whether in yourself or others, always as an end, never merely as a means. 6. Motive  In deontology, the moral worth of an action is determined by the motive, particularly the duty to follow moral rules. 7. Good Will  According to Kant, the only intrinsically good thing. Acting from good will means acting from a sense of duty, not self-interest. 8. Rights  Deontology often emphasizes the protection of individual rights, which should not be violated even for good consequences. 9. Means and Ends  A principle in deontology is that individuals should not be used merely as a means to an end, respecting their intrinsic dignity. 10. Moral Absolutism  The belief that certain actions are morally required or forbidden under all circumstances, a common feature of deontological theories. 11. Perfect Duties  Duties that must always be followed, such as not lying or not killing. 12. Imperfect Duties  Duties that are not always obligatory but should be performed when possible, such as helping others or self-improvement. 13. Intentions  Central to deontology, as morality is based on the intention to fulfill one’s duty rather than the consequences of the action. 14. Rule Deontology  Focuses on following general moral rules or principles. 15. Agent-Centered Deontology  Emphasizes the moral obligations of individuals to act according to their duties. 16. Patient-Centered Deontology  Focuses on the rights of individuals not to be harmed or violated. 17. Moral Dilemmas  Situations where two or more duties conflict, requiring a decision on which duty takes precedence. 18. Prima Facie Duties (by W.D. Ross)  Duties that are binding unless overridden by a stronger moral obligation in specific situations. 19. Universalizability   The idea that moral principles must apply universally to all rational beings. 20. Non-Consequentialism  A core feature of deontology; the morality of an action is based on its adherence to rules, not its outcomes. 21. Virtue Ethics  A normative ethical theory that emphasizes the development of good character traits (virtues) as the basis for moral behavior. 21. Virtues  Positive character traits or qualities that enable individuals to live morally good lives.  Examples: Courage, honesty, generosity, patience, justice, humility, and wisdom. 22. Aristotle  The philosopher most associated with virtue ethics. He argued that living a virtuous life is essential to achieving eudaimonia. 23. Eudaimonia  A Greek term often translated as "flourishing" or "human well-being."  The ultimate goal of human life in virtue ethics, achieved through the cultivation of virtues. 24. Golden Mean  Aristotle's concept that virtue lies between two extremes: excess and deficiency.  Example: Courage is the mean between rashness (excess) and cowardice (deficiency). 25. Practical Wisdom (Phronesis)  The intellectual virtue of making wise, ethical decisions in particular situations.  Enables a person to balance competing virtues and act virtuously in varying contexts. 26. Character  The collection of virtues and vices that define a person's moral identity and behavior. 27. Moral Agent  The individual responsible for developing virtues and making ethical decisions. 28. Moral Education  The process of learning and developing virtues through practice, experience, and guidance. 29. Habituation  The process of cultivating virtues through repeated practice and habituation of virtuous actions. 30. Moral Exemplars  Role models or individuals who embody virtues and inspire others to develop their character. 31. Arete  A Greek term meaning "excellence." Virtue ethics focuses on achieving excellence in character and actions. 32. Teleology  The study of purpose or end goals (telos). In virtue ethics, this refers to fulfilling one's purpose through virtuous living. 33. Telos  The ultimate purpose or goal of an individual. For humans, it is often identified as eudaimonia. 34. Intrinsic Value  Virtues are valued for their own sake, not for the consequences they produce. 35. Moral Development  The lifelong process of cultivating virtues and refining one's character. 36. Situational Sensitivity  The ability to apply virtues appropriately in different contexts, guided by practical wisdom. 37. Virtuous Actions  Actions that reflect a balance of virtues and align with good character. 38. Vices  Negative character traits that are the opposite of virtues.  Examples: Greed, envy, laziness, dishonesty, and arrogance. 39. Happiness (Eudaimonia)  Not a fleeting emotion but a deep sense of fulfillment derived from living a virtuous life. 40. Community and Relationships  Virtue ethics emphasizes the role of social relationships and communities in shaping moral character. 41. Moral Relativism in Virtue Ethics  Some argue virtues may vary across cultures and contexts, while others believe virtues are universal. 42. Agent-Centered Ethics  Focuses on the moral character of the person performing the action, rather than the action itself or its consequences. 43. Natural Virtues  Traits that are naturally good and promote human flourishing (e.g., kindness, compassion). 44. Ethical Pluralism  The recognition that different virtues may conflict, requiring balance and practical wisdom to resolve.