Chapter 1 Flashcards

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Amoral

Definition

Lacking moral sensibility; not caring about right and wrong.

Analytical

Definition

Attempting to solve problems by carefully applying logic and reasoning.

Applied ethics

Definition

A branch of ethics that involves connecting a particular normative theory to a particular moral problem.

Assigned relationships

Definition

Relationships that require us to act responsibly out of threat of power or simply because we lack power to act otherwise. It is obvious in authoritarian states, some employer–employee relationships, etc.

Assumed relationships

Definition

Self-imposed relationships that come into play when an individual voluntarily identifies ways in which he/she might benefit another person or group and then voluntarily accepts responsibility for doing so as an expression of character or virtue.

Cathartic

Definition

Aspect of moral philosophy that provides relief through divulging emotions or a strong expression. Source: Cambridge Dictionary

Contracted relationships

Definition

Interactions between parties who have agreed to share more or less equally in power and authority

Descriptive ethics

Definition

Involves chronicling what sorts of beliefs certain individuals hold about morality or describing a society’s set of moral customs.

Dialectical

Definition

Aspect of moral philosophy that practices logical discussion to investigate the truth of a theory or opinion. Source: Cambridge Dictionary

Epistemology

Definition

Branch of philosophy that studies the origin, nature, methods, validity, and limits of human knowledge. It deals with the creation and dissemination of knowledge in particular areas of inquiry. Source: Standard Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Ethical distress

Definition

A feeling you have when you feel pressured to act against your sense of self-imposed duty because of institutional structures, power imbalances, or legal constraints.

Ethics

Definition

The study and application of moral philosophy; reasoning about, reflecting upon, and acting out of principled choices. (See “Moral Philosophy,” and note that there are hundreds if not thousands of definitions of ethics.)

Immoral

Definition

Not within society’s standards of acceptable, honest, and moral behavior; morally wrong.

Meta-ethics

Definition

A branch of ethics that seeks to understand the nature of ethical properties and ethical statements, attitudes, and judgments.

Morality

Definition

Evaluation of human conduct, practices, customs, or behaviors; judgments are based on standards, notions, or codes of good and bad, right and wrong.

Non-moral

Definition

Absence of moral or ethical standards; lacking a moral sense.

Non-theoretic ethics

Definition

A type of ethics that involves discussing one’s views on moral problems without appealing to any general moral principles.

Normative ethical theory

Definition

Theory practiced when trying to formulate the broad, general moral theories that can explain exactly why certain actions are right and others are wrong. In other words, a theory that can be used to untangle and resolve complex moral problems.
Source: Standard Encyclopedia of Philosophy

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Dr. Chris Roberts

Associate Professor