Absolute and Relative Morality

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  • Created by: Steph
  • Created on: 29-04-13 18:20
Which theories are absolutist?
Rule Utilitarianism, Catholic Ethics, Kantian Ethics and Natural Law
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Which theories are relativist?
Situation Ethics, Act Utilitarianism
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What is absolutism?
A command that is true all of the time in all places and situations. Consequences should not be taken into consideration
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What does 'objective' mean and is it absolutist or relativist?
ABSOLUTIST. Judgements that are impartial, related to how things are in the world, devoid of feelings or emotions
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What does 'deontological' mean and is it absolutists or relativist?
ABSOLUTIST. Ethical theories that claim certain things are right or wrong in themselves, regardless of the consequences
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Give an example of absolute rules
The Ten Commandments. Universal, everyone knows, the rules are ALWAYS supposed to be applied
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Moral laws come from where, according to a theist, and according to an atheist?
THEIST: from God. ATHEIST: They are a priori in nature
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If there is a conflict between two absolutes, what would a theist say to do?
Obey the higher absolute.
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What are the three theistic absolutes?
1. Duty to GOD 2. Duty to OTHERS 3. Duty to PROPERTY
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What are 4 strengths of absolutism?
1) Fixed ethical code 2) Cultures can judge each other and act on that judgement (eg Genocide) 3) Can support universal laws (e.g the human rights law) 4) Easy to apply
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What are 3 weaknesses of absolutism?
1) Doesn't consider circumstances or consequences 2) Intolerant of cultural diversity 3) We don't know what absolute morals are- down to human interpretation
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What is relativism?
No morals or principles are universally valid. There is no one true morality. Morality is down to individual interpretation
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What does 'subjective' mean and is it absolutist or relativist?
RELATIVIST. To do with how we feel and our emotional responses. Independent of external facts
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What does 'teleological' mean and is it absolutist or relativist?
RELATIVIST. Ethical theories that look at the consequences and results of an action to decide whether it is right or wrong.
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Moral relativism explains what?
Why people don't always agree about what is right and wrong
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According to moral relativists, moral rules are what? Give an example.
They are the expression of culture. Eg, cultures have different views about sex outside of marriage
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What did Protagoras say about morality?
We have no objective knowledge. Depends on the perception of the individual.
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What did J.L Mackie say about morality?
Diverse moral codes in cultures imply no absolute morality.
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Give 8 strengths of relativism
1) Cannot be incorrect 2) Flexible 3) Focuses on people 4) Promotes tolerance 5) Doesn't rely on God 6) Allows for cultural understanding 7) Allows responsibility for actions 8) Product of human reason entirely
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Give 5 weaknesses of relativism
1) Gives little reason for behaving morally except to be socially accepted 2) Cultural diversity does not mean there's no objective 'good' 3) Ethical beliefs can change when challenged 4) No 2 people may agree on a judgement 5) Harder to apply
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Which theories are relativist?

Back

Situation Ethics, Act Utilitarianism

Card 3

Front

What is absolutism?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What does 'objective' mean and is it absolutist or relativist?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What does 'deontological' mean and is it absolutists or relativist?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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