Normative Ethical Theories

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Created by
miz

Cards (12)

  • Rule
    A prescribed guide for conduct or action
  • Ethics

    Moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity
  • Act
    An action or deed performed by an individual
  • John Stuart Mill

    • British, 1806-1873
    • Reformer & influential libertarian
    • Advocate of women's emancipation & supporter of legislation for that & workers' rights (wife Harriet Taylor)
    • Books 'On Liberty' 1859 & 'Utilitarianism' 1863 (plus many important essays)
  • The Utility Principle 'Greatest pleasure/happiness for the greatest number (majority)' is what all ethical actions should aim towards & be measured against
  • Jeremy Bentham
    • British, 1748-1832
    • Part of the radicals group & Spiritual
    • Founding father of UCL
    • Big supporter of the anti-transportation legislation, prison reforms & democracy
    • Book 'Principles of Moral Legislation'
  • Theory

    A set of principles or ideas that explain a phenomenon
  • Teleological ethics focus on the consequences of actions rather than the actions themselves
  • Humans naturally pursue pleasure (Psychological Hedonism)
  • Situation
    The combination of circumstances at a specific point in time
  • Joseph Fletcher
    • USA, 1905-1991
    • Liberal Christian / agnostic, Episcopalian Priest & Ethicist
    • Book 'Situation Ethics - The new morality' 1966
  • Utility
    The state of being useful, profitable, or beneficial