Metaethics
seeks to understand the nature of ethical properties, statements, attitudes and judgements
Metaethics
What is good vs. bad?
Moral realism
the belief that there are moral facts "X is good, Y is bad
moral absolutism
there are absolute standards against which moral questions can be judged
moral antirealism
the belief that there are no moral facts
moral subjectivism
moral statements can be true and false-right or wrong- but they only refer to people's attitudes rather than their actions
Normative ethics
the study of ethical action
Utilitarianism
the best action maximizes utility; an action is right if it leads to the most happiness for the greatest number of people
Utilitarianism definition
maximize pleasure and minimize suffering
Virtue ethics
emphasizes the virtues of mind and character
deontology
ethics dealing with duty and moral obligation
egoism
an action is right if it maximizes good for the self
Applied Ethics
ethics for a specific profession
Ethical standards for an engineer may be different than that of a dentist
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Clinical/ Medical ethics
moral principles that apple to medicine and research; they include respect for autonomy, non-maleficence, and justice
Business Ethics
moral principles that apply to a business organization, rights between companies and employees
Professional Ethics
corporate standards of behavior for professionals; includes honesty, transparency, accountability, confidentiality, obedience to the law, respect
Polemic
a strong written or spoken attack against someone else's opinion, beliefs, practices, etc.
paradox
a sentence that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true
inauspicious
not showing or suggesting that future success is likely
malfeasance
wrongdoing or misconduct especially by a public official