Ethics and Ethical theories

This covers chapters 1-3.

?
  • Created by: anna
  • Created on: 20-04-13 21:47
What is the diversity thesis
Because of the diversity across and within cultures there can be no one true morality
1 of 52
What did Socrates say about morality
All humans share an innate understanding of what is good
2 of 52
Where did Plato say moral knowledge comes from?
The form of the good. There are objective and universal moral truths.
3 of 52
Give an example of a clash of cultures.
Some practice monogamy, others polygamy, some value the elderly, some put them in homes etc.
4 of 52
What does relativism mean?
There are no universally valid moral principles so there is no one true morality.
5 of 52
Which group had the idea of moral relativism in Ancient Greek times?
Sophists
6 of 52
What did Protagoras say?
"Man is the measure of all things"
7 of 52
Give a historical example to defend the relativist position
Cruelty for entertainment is no longer allowed, civil partnerships are
8 of 52
If our own moral code is just one of many what does this mean?
There are no universal truths, and moral codes are just right for the society to which they apply. We cannot judge the conduct of other societies, as no one culture can be judged as better than another.
9 of 52
Give three reasons for relativism
1. decline of religious authority 2. a greater understanding of other cultures 3. effects of interference 4. Meta-ethical analysis- what words mean, if no agreement must be conceptual relativism 5. competing theories develop
10 of 52
Give 4 weaknesses of relativism
1. Doesn't allow criticism of practices 2. Doesn't allow progress (realised slavery was bad) 3.Gives no reason to be moral 4. There are some absolutely true statements 5. Ethical beliefs change when challenged 6. could lead to subjectivism
11 of 52
What is normative ethics?
Where actions are assessed according to ethical theories- it is about what is actually right, not just culture.
12 of 52
What is the one absolute principle a relativist may hold?
It is wrong to impose absolute moral rules.
13 of 52
Who developed situation ethics and when?
Joseph Fletcher, 1960s.
14 of 52
What is seen as the absolute in situation ethics?
Agape love
15 of 52
What does situation ethics entail?
That guiding maxims may be ignored if they do not serve agape.
16 of 52
What are the four working principles of situation ethics?
Pragmatism, relativism. positivism, personalism
17 of 52
What does positivism mean?
A value judgement needs to be made, giving the first place to love
18 of 52
What are 3 strengths of situation ethics?
Easy to understand and can be updated, Flexible but is based on love, Focuses on humans and concern for others, allows people to take responsibility.
19 of 52
What did Bishop John Robinson call situation ethics?
"An ethic for humanity come of age"
20 of 52
Give two criticisms of situation ethics.
Condemned in 1952 by Pope Pius XII, It is not possible to determine the consequences of all actions.
21 of 52
Is moral absolutism deontological or teleological?
Deontological
22 of 52
Where do absolute moral laws come from?
According to theists, God, according to the atheist, they are a priori in nature
23 of 52
Give an example of a moral principle we might be seen to "just know"
You do not sleep with your sister
24 of 52
What is graded absolutism?
The idea that if two absolutes you should follow the higher one: duty to God, then to others, then property.
25 of 52
Give three strengths of absolutism.
Fixed ethical code, one culture can judge another and act on it to prevent wrong, universal laws like the United Nations Declaration of Human rights can be supported,
26 of 52
What are 3 weaknesses of absolutism?
1. May be seen as impossible ideal 2. Does not take into account circumstances 3. Intolerant of cultural diversity 4.How do we know what absolute morals are?
27 of 52
What is natural moral law rooted in?
Human nature and our search for genuine happiness and fulfillment
28 of 52
Aquinas said that by using our ____ to reflect on human nature we could discover our _____ and then work out how to achieve it.
Reason, end telos or purpose
29 of 52
What does Aristotle say the supreme good for humans is?
Eudaimonia
30 of 52
How did Aquinas interpret Aristotle and the Stoics?
He took the ideas that: There is an essential rational nature given by God so we can live and flourish, even without knowledge of God reason can lead to flourishing, natural laws are universal and unchangeable.
31 of 52
Did Aristotle and Aquinas believe perfect happiness was possible in this life?
Aristotle did, Aquinas didn't.
32 of 52
What was Aquinas' book called?
Summa Theologiae
33 of 52
What is the supreme good for Aquinas?
developing into the image of God- perfection
34 of 52
What is eternal law?
The principles by which God made and controls the universe and which only God knows completely. We only have a partial knowledge of these (reflections)
35 of 52
What is divine law (according to Aquinas)?
The Bible, which he believes reflects eternal law, but can only be seen by those who believe in God if he chooses to reveal it
36 of 52
What is natural law?
The moral law of God, a reflection of eternal law, which has been built into human nature that can be seen by everyone through reason.
37 of 52
How does Aquinas explain why humans do not always follow the precepts of fundamental good and avoid evil?
We got things wrong and followed apparent good rather than real good. We should have used reason to work out the real good.
38 of 52
That exterior and interior acts are important and need to be correct mean what?
When humans act according to their true nature, they act in accordance with their final purpose so both the intention and act matter.
39 of 52
What do all humans share according to Aquinas?
A single nature
40 of 52
What are the 5 primary precepts?
1. preservation of life 2. reproduction 3. nurture and education (to learn) 4. Live in an ordered (peacefully) society 5. Worship God
41 of 52
Are secondary precepts more deontological or teleological?
Teleological- this makes Natural law flexible and realistic
42 of 52
What is good for us depends on our nature and not our decisions, this leads to which problem? Who said it?
Hughes said we tend to see human fulfillment through our own life experiences and what we've learned and forget to apply reason even though we are supposed to decide what leads to fulfillment.
43 of 52
What is the doctrine of double effect?
It is always wrong to do a bad act intentionally to being about good consequences, but it is sometimes OK to do a good act knowing it will bring about bad consequences- the bad consequences must be foreseen but not intended.
44 of 52
Give 3 strengths of natural law.
Clear but, basic principles common to all cultures, does not dictate from general principles to specific, about potential in character for goodness + flourishing not rightness of acts, Decisions not based on reason alone, all happy things good.
45 of 52
Give a weakness of natural law.
It is difficult to relate complex decisions to basic principles in practice e.g. should more money be spent on schools or hospitals?
46 of 52
Who accuses natural law of committing the naturalistic fallacy?
G.E. Moore.
47 of 52
What does Moore argue?
Good is un-analyseable + unnatural, and you cannot go from is to ought, i.e. caring for others is part of human nature and therefore it is good would be wrong. As moral beings we do not divide between facts and values.
48 of 52
How does modern science challenge natural law?
The idea that things have an inbuilt purpose is challenged. e.g. natural selection suggests the laws of nature are impersonal and blind with no intention of moving towards particular purposes.
49 of 52
What does Kai Neilsen argue?
Aquinas' belief in a single human nature common to all societies is wrong. Cultural relativism. Maybe people have changeable natures.
50 of 52
What do Vardy and Bath criticise about Aquinas?
The way he works from general principle to lesser purposes and see his view of human nature as unholistic and too simplistic.
51 of 52
Who said that human nature is too corrupt to be trusted and that natural law doesn't rely enough on the grace of God and revalation?
Karl Barth
52 of 52

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What did Socrates say about morality

Back

All humans share an innate understanding of what is good

Card 3

Front

Where did Plato say moral knowledge comes from?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Give an example of a clash of cultures.

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What does relativism mean?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Ethics resources:

See all Ethics resources »