Ethics Chapter 1 and 2

It is an enterprise that begins with wonder at the marvels and mysteries of the world; that pursues a rational investigation of those marvels and mysteries, seeking wisdom and truth; and that results in a life lived in passionate moral and intellectual integrity.

Is that branch of philosophy that deals with how we ought to live, with the idea of the Good, and with concepts such as “right” and “wrong.”

Man in nature is Good.

Is Man’s response to his nature.

Freedom equals ________.

Two types of acts. (2)

Not subject of ethics.

Subject for ethical assessment.

THREE CONSTITUENTS OF HUMAN ACTS

When an act was performed and one of the elements was absent then it will be called ____________.

HUMAN ACTS ARE (3)

When they are in harmony with the dictates of right reason.

When they are in opposition to these dictates.

When they stand in no positive relation to the dictates of reason.

The key divisions within the study of ethics are (3)

Refers to actual beliefs, customs, principles, and practices of people.

Refers to the systematic effort to understand moral concepts and justify moral principles and theories. It analyzes key ethical concepts such as “right,” “wrong,” and “permissible.”

Deals with controversial moral problems such as abortion, premarital sex, capital punishment, euthanasia, and civil disobedience.

A central feature of morality.

TRAITS OF MORAL PRINCIPLE (5)

Which is the practical, or action-guiding, nature of morality. Moral principles are generally put forth as commands or imperatives, such as “Do not kill,” “Do no unnecessary harm,” and “Love your neighbor.” This produce guilt or satisfaction.

Moral principles must apply to all people who are in a relevantly SIMILAR situation. Applies to all evaluative judgments. If I say that X is a good Y, then I am logically committed to judge that anything relevantly similar to X is a good Y.

Moral principles have predominant authority and override other kinds of principles. They are not the only principles, but they also take precedence over
other considerations including aesthetic, prudential, and legal ones.

Moral principles must be made public in order to guide our actions. Is necessary because weuse principles to prescribe behavior, give advice, and
assign praise and blame.

It must be workable and its rules must not lay a heavy burden on us when we follow them.