Ethical Terminology

• Ethics


  A continuous study of our own moral beliefs and our own moral conduct, to arrive at standards of right and wrong.
• Deontological Ethics


  The nature of the action determines whether it is right or wrong.

  Therefore the consequences are irrellevant.

  Comes from the Greek word "Deon" meaning "duty".

  No uncertainty about right or wrong.

  The significance of the motive is disregarded.

  Inflexible.
• Teleological Ethics


  The outcome decides whether it is right or wrong.

  Comes from the Greek word "Telos" meaning "purpose" or "end".

  Can adapt morality to the situation.

  Consequences can be unpredictable.

  Consequences are usually considered.
• Objective Morality


  When a person makes moral judgements based on an external source of morality.

  This could be a person, a Holy Book or a set of rules/laws of a particular country.

  Provides moral guidance to help us be good.

  Some moral authorities disagree, e.g. law allows abortion, Pope does not.

  No agreement on who has moral authority.
• Subjective Morality


  When a person is their own moral authority.

  They may be influenced by others but ultimately decide for themselves what is right and wrong.

  Encourages individual responsibility for our own action.

  Respects our own opinions.

  Can lead to disagreements.

  Not all opinions deserve respect, such as a racist one.
• Absolutism


  The idea that moral rules must never be broken.The idea that moral rules must never be broken.The idea that moral rules must never be broken.The idea that moral rules must never be broken.

  Breaking a moral rule can never be justified.

  For example, the Ten Commandments are thought of as rules that should never be broken.

  Following a set of rules reduces dilemmas.

  Same rules for everyone - its fair.

  How to know which set of rules to follow?

  Inflexible - doesn't take the situation into account.
• Relativism


  No universal moral rules, for all people at all times, because what is right or wrong depends on the situation.

  It may be right to break a moral rule under some circumstances, for example Jesus healed people on the Sabbath, even though working on the Sabbath was forbidden.

  Flexible - takes situation into account.

  Encourages people to think about the effects of our actions of others.

  Can lead to dilemmas and disagreements.

  Some rules should always be kept.
• Meta-ethical


  Concerning the meaning of ethical terms, the nature of moral statements, and the foundations of moral principles.
• Normative 


  Concerning the rules of principles that determine ethical attitudes and behaviour.
• Naturalistic Fallacy 


  A fault in logic in which people draw conclusions from observations in nature without taking into account whether or not these observations are accurate