Philosophy: Ethics & Moral Philosophy
Major ethical theories — utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, and applied ethics.
Study these flashcards with spaced repetition
Track your progress, master difficult cards, and export to Anki. Free to start.
Start Studying — FreeFlashcards in This Deck
What is moral realism?
The metaethical view that there are objective moral facts and truths that exist independently of human opinion or perception.
Who is considered the founder of modern utilitarianism and proposed the 'felicific calculus'?
Jeremy Bentham.
What is the primary focus of deontological ethics?
The adherence to moral duties and rules, where the rightness of an action is based on the action itself rather than its consequences.
In Aristotelian ethics, what is 'Eudaimonia'?
Often translated as 'flourishing' or 'living well,' it represents the ultimate human good and the goal of virtuous living.
How did Thomas Hobbes describe the 'state of nature' in his social contract theory?
A state of perpetual war of 'all against all' where life is 'nasty, brutish, and short.'
What is the 'Trolley Problem' designed to test?
It is a thought experiment used to explore the tension between utilitarian outcomes (saving five lives) and deontological prohibitions (killing one innocent person).
What is the difference between Act and Rule Utilitarianism?
Act utilitarianism evaluates the consequences of each individual deed, while Rule utilitarianism argues we should follow general rules that maximize utility over time.
What is Immanuel Kant's 'Categorical Imperative'?
A supreme moral principle that commands actions that are necessary in themselves, regardless of personal desires or consequences.
What is the 'Golden Mean' in virtue ethics?
The virtuous middle ground between two extremes of behavior: the vice of deficiency and the vice of excess.
What is John Rawls' 'Veil of Ignorance'?
A conceptual device where individuals design a just society without knowing their own social status, talents, or personal characteristics.
+10 more cards — sign up to see all
Frequently Asked Questions
How many flashcards are in this Philosophy: Ethics & Moral Philosophy deck?
This deck contains 20 flashcards with a mix of difficulty levels: 6 easy, 10 medium, and 4 hard cards.
Is this flashcard deck free to use?
Yes! You can study these flashcards for free with our spaced repetition system. Create a free account to track your progress and save your study history.
Can I export these flashcards to Anki?
Pro users can export any deck to Anki (.apkg format) with one click. Free users can export to CSV. Start studying for free and upgrade when you need Anki export.
What is spaced repetition?
Spaced repetition is a study technique that shows you cards at increasing intervals based on how well you know them. Cards you struggle with appear more often, while mastered cards are shown less frequently. This is proven to be one of the most effective ways to memorize information.
Related Flashcard Decks
Ready to study?
Create a free account and start studying these flashcards with spaced repetition.
Get Started — Free