HU 330 Study Flashcards

14 flashcards · Other · by Nicholas Enoul

Define Beliefs and its 3 categories
An acceptance that something exists or is true 1). Experience (what you have gone through and know) 2). Influence (you think it is true, particularly from others) 3). Intuitive (sounds/feels right - gut feeling) Note: it doesn't need to be empirically true as they are inherently individualistic (people can believe earth is flat). At some point, though, you are going to need to trust people .
Define Values
A person's principles & standards of behavior which are based on levels of importance. Notes: These tend to be one-word ideals that a person tries to live up to. These are individually based. Example: Be kind, be early, do good, etc.
Define Morals
Systems of Beliefs and Values that are constructed by a majority of people in wider society/culture. Notes: These are things we regularly do and tend to be absolutes (ex. Don't snitch, don't lie, being a good person is good). It is inherently culturally dependant, unlike base beliefs and values, and only change slowly on a generational scale.
Define Ethics
Noted Answer: Moral principles that govern a person's actions. Personal Answer: Combination//system of morals, beliefs, and values. Notes: This is the oldest term used in this class - coming from the early classical period in Greece.
Define Deontology
An ethical system whereby edicts and rules are meant to be adhered to.
Define Utilitarianism
a "pro-cons list" approach to ethics
Define Virtue Ethics
Places a heavy focus on the individual, about who you are, and the things that are bad and good.
Define Ethics of Care
A "Potluck" communal approach to ethics, whereby everybody brings an ethical approach that contributes to a community ethical structure.
Define Nihilism
A "Nothing Matters" approach to ethics. There is no meaning, no morals, and no ethics. When boiled down, though, it is effectively an emphasis on moral skepticism. Notes: This approach emphasizes that life is inherently pointless, and it thusly rejects that there is any meaning to life. Concepts like retribution, community, and justice mean nothing and you have no larger purpose.
What is Nietzsche's deal? What is he known for?
Nietzsche was born in the mid-1800s and fought/lived through the Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian wars. He had major problems with morality and its subsequent structures as a matter of control. He didn't intend to mean that we needed to do everything in the opposite way (fair is foul, and foul and fair, hover through the foggy air), but instead emphasized that moral absolutes forces strict judgements. There was no space for moral grey areas, nor space for individual judgement. He rejected mo…
What the hell is an Error Theory?
An approach to ethics whereby evaluating it is futile. Bullets: Ethics doesn't exist It's a social construct (government conspiracy!!!!!!!!) There is no objective way to know if anything is correct. It used to be useful for evolution, but no longerneeded. Do LITERALLY anything else!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you want to do good (you weirdo), do something (anything) and check that checklist (like watering your plants once in your lifetime - then you're done). Note: I greatly apologize for the lack of prof…
What is the Asymmetric Argument?
It is an approach to ethics which believes that life is suffering. Any good that comes from it is far outweighed by the pain. This inherently becomes incredibly anti-natalistic, whereby birthing children into this world is the greatest immoral deed one can do. It does not, however, endorse suffering - in a "If you're here anyway, might as well live it through" kind of way. It was popularized by David Benatar. Note: Whoever fully believes in this, know that though I am not religious, I will pray…
Define Ontology
A nihilistic ethical approach that believes we don't have control over any part of our lives. Instead, everything is following a pre-destined script. There is no free will, no sense of self, and no self-governance. It is nihilistic in rejecting ethics because we have no choices to make. Bullets: No control over your life Everything is predetermined There is no self, no self governance, nor free will It rejects ethics because we have no choice in the matter PERSONAL RAMBLES: Though this seems we…
Define Optimistic Nihilism
A nihilistic ethical approach that takes the concept and runs with it in a more "le se faire" style. If nothing matters, then we have to dictate what our purposes are. Do whatever makes you happy, whatever it may be. The visual/philosophical way of putting it is "In pursuit of the wind". The leaf does not question why its flowing this way and that, but instead just does. Note that Nietzsche adopted this mindset in his later years.