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Ethics and Moral Philosophy Flashcards
Free Philosophy Revision Cards
From Kantian deontology and utilitarian theory to virtue ethics and applied moral dilemmas, these free Philosophy flashcards cover the major ethical theories and debates.
Question
What is ethics (moral philosophy)?
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Answer
The branch of philosophy concerned with questions of right and wrong, good and bad, and how we should act. Divided into: meta-ethics (what morality is), normative ethics (what we should do), and applied ethics (specific moral problems).
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Question
What is utilitarianism?
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Answer
The view that the right action is the one that produces the greatest happiness (or utility) for the greatest number. "The greatest good for the greatest number." Associated with Bentham and Mill.
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Question
What is Bentham's hedonic calculus?
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Answer
A method to calculate the quantity of pleasure/pain produced by an action — considering intensity, duration, certainty, propinquity (nearness), fecundity, purity, and extent (number of people affected).
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Question
How did Mill modify Bentham's utilitarianism?
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Answer
Mill distinguished between higher pleasures (intellectual, moral) and lower pleasures (physical). "Better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied." Focused on quality, not just quantity of pleasure.
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Question
What is rule utilitarianism vs act utilitarianism?
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Answer
Act utilitarianism: judge each individual action by its consequences. Rule utilitarianism: follow rules that, when generally followed, produce the best consequences. Rule utilitarianism avoids some counterintuitive conclusions of act utilitarianism.
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Question
What is Kantian (deontological) ethics?
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Answer
Kant's view that morality is based on duty and reason — not consequences. An action is right if it conforms to a rational moral rule (the categorical imperative), regardless of outcomes.
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Question
What is Kant's categorical imperative?
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Answer
A supreme moral rule with several formulations: 1) Act only on maxims you could universalise. 2) Treat humanity always as an end, never merely as a means. 3) Act as if you are legislating for a kingdom of ends.
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Question
What is the difference between hypothetical and categorical imperatives?
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Answer
Hypothetical imperative: "If you want X, do Y" — conditional on desire. Categorical imperative: "Do Y" — unconditional moral duty binding on all rational beings regardless of desires.
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Question
What is virtue ethics?
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Answer
Associated with Aristotle — focuses on character rather than rules or consequences. A virtuous person cultivates character traits (virtues) such as courage, justice, and honesty, and acts from these virtues.
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Question
What is eudaimonia?
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Answer
Aristotle's concept of the good life — often translated as "flourishing" or "happiness." The ultimate goal of human action, achieved by living virtuously and exercising reason in accordance with one's nature.
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