Phil
206-01:
Philosophy
of Life and Death
Ethics:
Key Terms
and Concepts
-
Altruism - A
variant of consequentialism in which the morality of an action is judged
in terms of its consequences for others (excluding the self).
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Consequentialism
-
Any of a series of views which hold that the morality of an action is a
function of its consequences. Cf. Altruism, Egoism, and Utilitarianism.
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Deontological Theory
-
A theory based on moral assumptions that cannot be reduced to human preference
or behavioral consequence. Cf. Consequentialism and Relativism.
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Divine Will Theory
(Divine Command Theory) - The view that the morality of an action depends
on the approval or disapproval of a divine being.
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Egoism - A variant
of consequentialism in which the morality of an action is judged in terms
of its consequences for a single individual.
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Eudemonism -
The view that the morality of an action depends on its ability to produce
happiness (eudemonia). Cf. Hedonism.
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Existentialism -
A philosophical movement of the 19th and 20th centuries that emphasizes
human existence, freedom, and responsibility.
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Extrinsic Value
-
Anything that derives its value from something else. Cf. Intrinsic
value.
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Golden Mean -
Aristotle's principle of avoiding extremes of both excess and deficiency:
neither too little nor too much.
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Hedonism - The
view that the morality of an action depends on its ability to produce pleasure.
Cf. Eudemonism.
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Intrinsic Value
-
Anything valued for its own sake. Cf. Extrinsic value.
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Nihilism - A
philosophical movement that rejects moral values and objective truths
-
Relativism -
Any of a series of views which hold that the morality of an action depends
on the approval or disapproval of some individual or group of individuals
-- e.g. Cultural Relativism.
-
Utilitarianism -
A variant of consequentialism in which the morality of an action is judged
in terms of its consequences for a group of individuals.
-
Virtue Ethics
- An approach to ethics that stresses the cultivation of virtue, character,
etc.
Website constructed and maintained
by
Douglas Shrader / Shradedw@Oneonta.edu
Updated February 12, 2002