PHI 220 #1
5 areas of philosophy
Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, Aesthetics, Logic
Nonconsequentialism
belief that actions themselves, rather than consequences, determine the worth of actions; actions are right or wrong according to the morality of the acts themselves
moral
custom/manners - pertaining to relationships between people
Utilitarianism
idea that the goal of society should be to bring about the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people
normative ethics
observe human behavior, but want to know whether humans should do things - prescribe ways human should act.
Stage 2
pragmatic - moral decision making based on self interest. The instrumental/relativist orientation
Kohlberg's stages of moral development
preconventional, conventional, postconventional
hedonism
pursuit of pleasure, especially of the senses
individual morality
refers to individuals in relation to themselves and to an individual code of morality that may or may not be sanctioned by any society or religion
ethics
relating to the character of a person or persons
stage 5
social contract orientation - bringing about social good ends.
The supernatural theory
some people believe that values come from some higher power or supernatural being, beings or principle.
Epistemology
study of knowledge
ethical egoism
the belief that individuals should live their lives so as to maximize their own pleasure and minimize their own pain
the natural law theory
the belief that morality is embodied in nature.
reflective morality
the careful examination and critical evaluation of all moral issues whether or not they are based on religion, custom, or tradition
stage 6
-Universal Ethical Principles -the person has developed moral judgments that are based on universal human rights. when faced with a dilemma between law and conscience, a personal, individualized conscience is followed
metaethics
1. analyze ethical language 2. analyze the rational foundations of ethical systems Going Beyond
philosophical approach
1. normative or prescriptive ethics 2. metaethics or analytic ethics
four aspects of morality
1. religious morality 2. morality and nature 3. individual morality 4. social morality
2 major approaches to morality
1. scientific/descriptive 2. philosophical
morality and nature
Concerned with human beings in relationship to nature.
religious morality
Concerned with human beings relationship to a supernatural being or being.
social morality
Concerns a human being in relation to other human beings.
preconventional
Kohlberg's stage of moral development in which rewards and punishments dominate moral thinking
Humanitarian ethics
Neither strictly religious nor strictly humanistic (atheistic) but that includes these two extremes and the middle ground as well.
Stage 3
The interpersonal concordance or "good boy-nice girl" orientation. People pleasers
scientific approach
also called descriptive. Social scientists observe and collect data about human behavior and conduct and then draw certain conclusions. No value judgements about right or wrong - don't describe how humans ought to behave
customary morality
also called traditional morality. This is the morality we are born into. The things we are taught as children by our society.
amoral
lacking a sense of right and wrong
Stage 4
law and order orientation. concerned with maintaining social order for its own sake
Philosophy
love of wisdom
Stage 1
moral decisions are made in response to authority. Punishment and Obedience
values as subjective
morality stems strictly from within human beings
nonmoral
neutral; neither harms nor hurts
moral decision
the decision which works towards the creation of trust, confidence, and integrity in relationships. It should increase the capacity of individuals to cooperate, and enhance the sense of self-respect in the individual.
Ethics
the principles of right and wrong that guide an individual in making decisions
logic
the study of argument and the principles of correct reasoning
metaphysics
the study of the nature of reality
aesthetic
the study of values in art or beauty
