Normative Ethical Theories notes
39 notes by 30 users
This GoConqr page gathers over 30 community-made notes on Normative Ethical Theories, from utilitarianism and virtue ethics to natural law. School students, university students and professional candidates can use them to practice explaining theories, while teachers can find material for lessons. Choose a note to start studying.
Notes
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The ethical life notes Hedonism - p.11-19 Utility/Greatest-happiness Principle - as the foundation of morals. Pleasure and absence of pain. What includes in this - open question. Different kinds of pleasure/pain - some levels are more ...
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A2 Philosophy and Ethics: Ethical Theory Ethical Theory. Deontology Key Philosophers
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Conscience Conscience (Specification Notes) Aquinas's Theological Approach Aquinas and Ratio (reason place in every person as a result of being created in the image of God) Aquinas makes use of the concept of 'ratio' whic...
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A2 Philosophy and Ethics: Ethical Theory Ethical Theory. Deontology Key Philosophers
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the four theories Kantian Ethics Morality applies to all rational beings, and a moral action is defined as one that is determined by reason, not by our sensual impulses. Because an action is moral on account of its being reasoned, the ...
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AS Ethics Exam Questions Ethical Theories, Key Terms and Terminology:Part A: Explain the concept of relativist morality. (25 marks) Explain what is meant by moral absolutism. (25 marks) Explain the differences between absolute and relativist ...
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Absolutist and Relativist -Rules that are true in all suituations DeontologicalUniversalObjective -Judging a situation depending on the circumstances. There are no Universal Rules
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Normative Ethics Act Utilitarianism Bentham's principle of utility states that an action ought to be done if it brings about the maximum possible happiness for those parties affected by that action In choosing between action A and act...
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Absolutist and Relativist -Rules that are true in all suituations DeontologicalUniversalObjective -Judging a situation depending on the circumstances. There are no Universal Rules
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Meta-ethics Ethical Naturalism All ethical statements can be translated into non-ethical ones - verifiable factual statements. 'X is good' can be defined be referring to some combination of naturalistic properties/characteristics...
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Deontological Argument A deontologist is someone who believes that there are certain types of acts that are wrong in themselves and that we have a duty not to do those types of acts. Someone who follows either Kantian ethics or Natural Mora...
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Meta-ethics Doesn't look at what is right and wrong, rather it looks at the language that we use to express morality. The whole theory essential looks at what is meant when we use the words good/bad/right/wrong. A large issue sur...
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Utilitarianism TeleologicalRelativist Jerermy Bentham-staunch atheist and legal reformer Three part theory- The motivation of humans-The principle of Utility-The Hedonic calculus
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Kantean Ethics - moral value is not judged by the consequences of the act but by the act itself - deontological approach - objective moral law and knowledge of this law can be gained through reason (enlightenment period) - ide...
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Utilitarianism Utilitarianism The ethical idea that we should always seek to achieve greatest balance of good over evil 'Greatest good for greatest number' Bentham: Utility & Hedonic Calculus Bentham on Human Nature Bentham suggests...
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Utilitarianism UtilitarianismIntroduction It's an ethical theory which can best be summed up by the phrase 'the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number. In terms of morality, our actions are considered to be good if the...
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Utilitarianism Utilitarianism David Hume- talked about what is useful! Ethics should be based on what is most useful Francis Hutchison- " Greatest happiness of the greatest number" = neither were utilitarians but was th...
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Basic Ethical Theory Revision AQUINAS' NATURAL LAWSt. Thomas Aquinas used Aristotle's principle of there being a universal nature by which everybody should behave and make moral judgements to devise his ethical theory of Natural Law. Aquinas' book...
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ETHICAL PHILOSOPHIES - created from Mind Map Deontological ethics, emphasises on the relationship between duty and the morality of human actions. Deontology (Greek deon, ―duty,‖ and logos, ―science‖) is therefore science of duty. In deontological ethics an actio...
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Natural Law Natural Law Natural Law is an absolutist theory most commonly associated with St Thomas Aquinas (1224 -1274). It relies on Aquinas' basic understanding that humans innately try to do good and to avoid evil in order to...
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Natural Law Levels of Law Eternal Law: God creates everything and his will and wisdom is revealed to us through.... Divine Law:The sacred text and the teaching of the church. Which are made known in....
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Natural Law - created from Mind Map Deontological Theory Origins Principles and Features
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Ethical Systems - created from Mind Map Virtue Ethic Virtue ethics emphasizes character and virtues above actions. People strive for purity and make choices based on them under this system. Honesty, integrity, and justice may be ethical in crimi...
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Absolutist and Relativist Revision Explain the differences between Absolutism and Relativism in less than 100 words Absolutism is the belief that a set of rules/ morals are always applicable and must always be followed by all, without exception. They a...
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Virtue Ethics Notes What is virtue theory? Virtue theory is principall concerned with the idea of human charcter and asks how ou can be a better person Virtue theor is interested in defining good people and the qualities that make them g...
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Ethical Theory Reading Virtue Theory to understand and live a life of moral character This virtue is acquired through practice of being honest, brave, just, generous, honorable and moral Three goals are: ...
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What is Virtue Ethics? What are virtues? Individuals with good character traits are judges as morally good. Virtues are good character traits or qualities, such as patience, kindness, honesty and generosity. By contrast, people with bad cha...
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Modern Kantian Ethics MODERN KANTIAN ETHICS W.D.ROSSCriticised Kantian Ethic for three main reasons:Building on the intuitions from G.E.Moore, he disputed whether reason dictates that moral acceptability relates to the universalizability o...
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B) Deontology - created from Mind Map Can test moral actions Categorical Imperatives Persuasive and reliable Absolute moral theory unchanging principle Charles Fried - that which is permissible not confusing No complicated calculations opposition to Utili...
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Euthanasia Euthanasia (Situation +Natural Law) Joesph Fletcher "People with children with down syndrome no reason for putting a baby away" Voluntary = when you say you want to die Non Voluntary = Cannot volunteer &...
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Kantian Ethics
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ethics the words ethics comes from the greek word "Ethos", meaning custom, usage, or character. philosophy is the pursuit of wisdom. Ethics- moral and social codes of behavior and conduct. ethical theories- systemize, defend...
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Gender equality Essay on gender equality The issue of gender equality has been widely discussed in philosophical literature and mass media sources. In any democratic society, gender equality is considered to be an important moral pri...
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Untitled Utilitarianism 2/10 Act by Jeremy Benthem it is a theory that desires practicality, derives from the dissatisfaction of the corruption and dysfunctioning society under religious ethics. it is se...
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Business Ethics Business Ethics The development of business ethics in Britain The Industrial Revolution, unchecked, led to the employment of millions in unhygienic conditions, with dangerous machinery, long hours, no holidays,...
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Untitled moral relativismthere are no universal principles that are always true that apply to everyone. relativism claims that ethics is relative to an individual a group society or nature. relativism doesn't focus on good in ...
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Untitled Explain the Natural Law TheoryAquinas developed Natural Law, which was put forward by Aristotle- it is an absolutist theory- Based on the Synderisis Rule: Aquinas' understanding that humans should 'do good and avoid e...
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Untitled moral absolutismmoral absolutism is there are a set of universal principles that apply to everyone. if you indulge in an immoral act the act is wrong in itself because its breaking those moral rules, regardless of the...
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Untitled ObjectionsHedonism:1) Some pleasure isn't good for us2) Pleasure isn't all that's good for us- Doctrine of Swine- Experience Machine- Anhedonic Lives- Trade OffsDFT:1) Some things are good for us independently of our ...
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About normative ethical theories notes
GoConqr OriginalNormative Ethical Theories notes
These notes offer written explanations of theories and terms. Utilitarianism covers Bentham and the principle of utility, while Virtue Ethics Notes looks at character and what makes a good person. Other notes cover conscience, natural law, meta-ethics and the contrast between absolutism and relativism.
How to study with the notes
For a starting point, read Normative Ethics, which begins with act utilitarianism. You could then read The ethical life notes for material on pleasure and the greatest-happiness principle. Use the written explanations to make a short summary, then try explaining the ideas without looking.
If you want to test your recall, switch to a quiz on the unit page. A mind map may help when you want to see ideas laid out visually, while flashcards offer another way to practice key terms. Pick a theory and explore the notes on it.
Frequently asked questions
Which note is a useful place to start?
Normative Ethics is a useful starting point if you want to read about act utilitarianism and the principle of utility. The ethical life notes also covers pleasure and the greatest-happiness principle. Reading both gives you material to practice explaining those ideas in your own words.
What topics do the notes cover?
The notes cover utilitarianism, virtue ethics, deontology, natural law and meta-ethics. There are also notes on conscience and on the contrast between absolutism and relativism. Other listed topics include euthanasia, gender equality and business ethics, so you can choose a note that fits what you are studying.
Are these notes free to use?
Yes. Every note listed here is free to open and study without an account. The notes were made by GoConqr users rather than by GoConqr. You can read across the list and select the explanations that are relevant to the theory or topic you want to study.
Who are these notes for?
The collection includes school and university material. School students, university students and professional candidates can use the notes to practice explaining ethical theories, and teachers can find material for lessons. The listed resources also include notes titled A2 Philosophy and Ethics: Ethical Theory and AS Ethics Exam Questions.