Ethics Definitions

Eudaimonia

A Greek word commonly translated as happiness or welfare; however, "human flourishing" has been proposed as a more accurate translation

Fallacy

An illogical argument, often appearing logical at first glance, involving a statement or statements that in one way on or another deceive or mislead.

Golden Mean

Aristotle's definition of virtues being perfectly balanced points of moderation between two opposing, undesirable extremes.

Socrates

He called himself the "gadfly" of Athens. Famous quote: "The unexamined life is not worth living."

Natural Law

Human values are embedded in human nature

Beneficence

Moral principle that one should help others further their important and legitimate interests

Non-maleficence

Moral principle that one should refrain from harming others ("first, do no harm"). Compare with beneficence

Deontology

Our duty is to obey the categorical imperative (universal respect) - Emmanuel Kant

Natural Rights

Our only moral duty is to respect the rights of others - John Locke

Aristotle

Plato's best student. He was the teacher of Alexander the Great. The founder of logical theory, Aristotle believed that the greatest human endeavor is the use of reason in theoretical activity. One of his best known ideas was his conception of The Golden Mean — "avoid extremes," the counsel of moderation in all things.

Virtues

Positive ethical/character traits, such as benevolence, confidential-ness, fairness, faithfulness, gratefulness, non-deceptiveness (truthfulness), non-malevolence.

Moral Character

Possessing the courage, determination, and persistence to follow through and do what we know we ought to do.

Social Contract

Social contract arguments typically posit that individuals have consented, either explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of the ruler or magistrate (or the decision of a majority), in exchange for protection of their remaining tights. What's right is to live consistently with the deepest principles and values of one's society, culture, or subculture.

Paternalism

Stance that a person's liberty is justifiably restricted to prevent self-harm, or to promote that person's own well-being. Paternalism is an inherently liberty-limiting principle. It is grounded in a theory of impairment -- that an individual lacks sufficient facts or mental capacity to make a sound choice. (Government regulations)

Plato

Student of Socrates. A championship wrestler. He believed the soul was immortal, and imprisoned in the body. He wrote a famous treatise: The Republic on the ideal society, in which he expressed the thought that a philosopher, of all people, should be king.

Deon

The Greek word for "duty"

Collusion

The act of working with another person on an undertaking for which that person is individually responsible.

Critical Thinking

The active and systematic process of communication, problem solving, evaluation, analysis, synthesis, and reflection, both individually and in community, to foster understanding, support sound decision making, and guide action

Relativism

The assumption that there are no moral standards, judgments, or principles that apply to everyone, what is right differs from one person to another and from one culture to another.

Legalism

The belief that ethical discussions are unnecessary because we have laws to govern people.

Epistemology

The branch of philosophy concerned with the theory of knowledge. Epistemology studies the nature of knowledge, justification, and the rationality of belief.

Logic

The branch of philosophy that deals with thinking and reasoning processes.

Fidelity

The principle that one should keep one's promises.

Veracity

The principle that one should tell the truth ("honesty is the best policy").

Net Utility

The sum or total of the happiness and unhappiness caused by a specific action is known as.