Utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, and other major ethical theories, with their core claims, key thinkers, and central objections, from an intro ethics course.
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- What is utilitarianism?
- An action is right if it maximizes overall happiness or well-being.
- What is the principle of utility?
- What is good produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
- Who was Jeremy Bentham?
- An 18th-century philosopher who formulated classical utilitarianism.
- What did John Stuart Mill add to utilitarianism?
- He distinguished higher (intellectual) and lower (physical) pleasures, arguing higher ones matter more.
- What is act utilitarianism?
- Each individual action should be judged by whether it maximizes utility.
- What is rule utilitarianism?
- An action is right if it conforms to a rule that would maximize utility if generally followed.
- What is deontological ethics?
- An ethical theory that judges rightness by conformity to duties or rules, not consequences.
- What was Immanuel Kant's main ethical contribution?
- He developed a duty-based system centered on rationality, respect, and the categorical imperative.
- What is Kant's categorical imperative?
- A principle of reason that determines which actions are morally required, permissible, or forbidden.
- What is Kant's formula of universal law?
- Act only in ways you could will as a universal law for all rational beings.
- What is Kant's formula of humanity?
- Treat humanity always as an end in itself, never merely as a means.
- What is virtue ethics?
- An ethical theory focusing on developing virtuous character rather than rules or consequences.
- Who founded virtue ethics?
- Aristotle, who argued that virtue is the central ethical concept.
- What is eudaimonia?
- Flourishing or living well; the highest human good in Aristotelian ethics.
- What role does character play in virtue ethics?
- Character is central; ethical life consists in cultivating virtuous character traits through practice.