08 Moral Reasoning and Ethical Cases Free Online FlashCards

What is applied ethics?

Applied ethics uses moral reasoning to examine concrete questions in fields such as medicine, business, law, and public life.

What does consequentialist reasoning emphasize?

Consequentialism asks which available action is expected to produce the best overall results and least harm, taking uncertainty and longer-term effects into account.

What does deontological reasoning ask?

Deontology evaluates which duties, rights, and constraints apply, rather than focusing only on which outcome is best.

What does virtue ethics emphasize?

Virtue ethics asks what an honest, compassionate, just, and practically wise person would do, emphasizing character and judgment in context.

How do intention and foreseen consequences differ?

An intention is what an agent aims to do; foreseen consequences are outcomes the agent expects or should reasonably anticipate. A harmful result can occur without being intended.

What two factors help assess moral responsibility?

Assess responsibility by asking whether the agent had sufficient control over the action and adequate awareness of what they were doing, its moral significance, and likely effects.

When is ignorance less likely to excuse an agent?

Ignorance is less likely to excuse an agent when they culpably avoided information they could and should have sought.

Does every conflict of obligations create a genuine moral dilemma?

A conflict of obligations is not necessarily a genuine moral dilemma: one requirement may take priority. Philosophers disagree about whether irreconcilable moral requirements can occur.

How should an ethical analysis establish relevant facts?

Separate known facts from assumptions, and note uncertainty, likely outcomes, and any information that could change the decision.

What should you identify about affected parties?

Identify who may be helped or harmed, who has rights or vulnerabilities, and which duties or relationships are involved.

Why should ethical analysis consider more than two obvious options?

Include feasible alternatives beyond the most obvious choices. For example, limited disclosure to an appropriate person differs from public disclosure.

What should a defended ethical judgment include?

State which reasons carry the most weight, address a strong objection, and acknowledge remaining uncertainty.