GS4 - basic terminology

ETHICS: BASIC TERMINOLOGY

Absolutism	The belief that certain moral principles or rules are always right or wrong, regardless of the situation.	The belief that it is always wrong to kill another person, regardless of the circumstances.
Act Utilitarianism	The belief that the moral value of an action should be judged based on its ability to produce the greatest overall good for the greatest number of people.	A decision to build a dam that would flood a small village and displace its residents, but would also provide electricity and irrigation to a larger surrounding area.
Activism	Taking active steps to bring about social or political change.	Marching in a protest against police brutality.
Altruism	The act of helping others without any expectation of reward or benefit for oneself.	A volunteer who helps at a homeless shelter without receiving any pay or recognition.
Apathy	Indifference to or lack of concern for the welfare of others.	A person who is apathetic towards social issues and doesn't take any action to help the less fortunate.
Applied Ethics	Applied ethics is the branch of ethics which consists of the analysis of specific, controversial moral issues such as abortion, animal rights, or euthanasia.	A company deciding whether to move forward with a project that could harm the environment but would bring significant financial gain.
Autonomy	Autonomy is the ability to make choices and decisions for oneself, free from external control or influence.	A person who is able to make their own medical decisions, without being coerced by others.
Behavioral Ethics	Behavioral Ethics is the study of how people actually make moral decisions, as opposed to how they should make them.	A person who intends to be honest and fair in their business dealings but is influenced by the pressure to meet sales targets and make a commission.
Belief	An acceptance that something is true, often without evidence.	Believing in the existence of God based on faith.
Beneficence	The belief in or practice of doing good and promoting well-being.	A doctor who prescribes a treatment that will alleviate a patient's suffering, even though it may be costly or have side effects.
Benevolence	Benevolence refers to the act of doing good or wishing well to others.	A volunteer who donates their time and resources to help those in need.
Bioethics	The study of ethical issues that arise in the field of medicine and biology.	Debating the ethics of genetic engineering or human cloning.
Bureaucratic Inertia	The tendency of organizations to resist change and maintain the status quo due to internal bureaucracy.	A government agency that is known for its bureaucratic inertia, which makes it hard to implement new policies or procedures.
Cognitive Bias	Cognitive bias refers to the systematic pattern of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment, whereby inferences about other people and situations may be drawn in an illogical fashion.	A person who believes that they are a better driver than the average person, despite evidence to the contrary.
Cognitive Dissonance	Cognitive dissonance refers to the discomfort or mental stress that a person experiences when they hold two or more conflicting beliefs or values.	A person who smokes cigarettes but also believes that smoking is harmful to their health.
Cognitivism	Cognitivism is the ethical theory that moral judgments are cognitive, meaning that they can be true or false.	A person who believes that there are objective moral truths that can be discovered and known.
Commensurable	Commensurable refers to the ability to be compared or measured against each other.	Two different jobs that pay different salaries but can be compared in terms of the hours worked and the level of responsibility involved.
Commitment	A dedication to a particular cause, belief, or goal.	A person who is committed to saving the environment and works tirelessly to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices.
Compassion	A deep feeling of empathy and understanding for the suffering of others, often accompanied by a desire to help.	A doctor who has compassion for her patients and goes above and beyond to make sure they are comfortable and receive the best care.
Complacency	A feeling of self-satisfaction and contentment with things as they are, often accompanied by a lack of desire to improve or change.	A company that becomes complacent with its success and stops investing in research and development.
Confidentiality	The principle of keeping information private and protected from unauthorized disclosure.	A therapist who keeps their patient's information confidential and does not share it with anyone without the patient's consent.
Confirmation Bias	Confirmation bias refers to the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses.	A person who only reads news articles that align with their political views and disregards the opposing views.
Conflict of Interest	Conflict of Interest refers to a situation in which an individual or organization is involved in multiple interests, and serving one interest could harm the other.	A judge hearing a case involving a close friend or family member.
Conformity bias	The tendency to conform to the beliefs and behaviors of others, especially in group settings.	Going along with the group even if one privately disagrees.
Conscientiousness	Being dutiful and responsible in one's actions and decisions.	Being punctual and reliable in fulfilling obligations.
Consequentialism	Consequentialism is an ethical theory that the moral value of an action should be judged based on its consequences.	A company that decides to lay off employees to increase profits.
Contentment	A state of being satisfied and happy with what one has.	A person who is content with their job, even though it may not pay as well as others, because they enjoy it and find it fulfilling.
Corporate Social Responsibility	Corporate Social Responsibility refers to the voluntary actions taken by a company to improve the well-being of society and the environment.	A company that sets a goal to reduce their carbon emissions and invest in renewable energy sources.
Corruption	Corruption refers to the abuse of power or position for personal gain.	A politician who accepts bribes in exchange for supporting certain legislation.
Deontology	Deontology is an ethical theory that actions should be based on a moral rule or duty, regardless of their consequences.	A doctor who refuses to assist in an execution on the grounds that it is morally wrong.
Descriptive Ethics	The study of how people actually make moral decisions, rather than how they should make them.	Surveying a group of people to understand their beliefs about the death penalty.
Desire	Desire refers to a strong feeling of wanting something.	A person who desires a promotion at work and works hard to achieve it.
Determination	Determination refers to the quality of being resolute and persistent in pursuit of a goal.	A person who is determined to finish a marathon, despite the challenges and obstacles they encounter.
Devotion	Devotion refers to the act of being devoted or dedicated to something or someone.	A person who is devoted to their family and spends a lot of time and energy caring for them.
Dexterity	Dexterity refers to the ability to use one's hands and body skillfully and quickly.	A surgeon who has a high level of dexterity and can perform complex procedures with precision and efficiency.
Diffusion of Responsibility	Diffusion of Responsibility refers to the phenomenon where individuals feel less personal responsibility to take action when others are present.	A group of people who witness an emergency but none of them take action because they assume someone else will help.
Dignity	Dignity refers to the inherent worth and respect that all individuals should be accorded.	A person who is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Diligence	Diligence refers to the quality of being hardworking and persistent in one's efforts.	A student who diligently studies for their exams and puts in the necessary time and effort to succeed.
Discipline	Discipline refers to the practice of training oneself to obey rules or a code of behavior.	A soldier who follows the rules and regulations of their military discipline.
Discretion	Discretion refers to the ability to make sound judgments and to take appropriate actions based on the circumstances.	A police officer who uses their discretion to determine the best course of action in a difficult situation.
Distributive Justice	The fair distribution of resources and benefits within a society.	Debating whether the wealthy should pay a higher percentage of taxes to support social welfare programs.
Due Process	The fair and just treatment of individuals within a legal system.	Guaranteeing a fair trial to someone accused of a crime, including the right to legal representation.
Duty	The belief that one has a moral obligation to fulfill certain responsibilities or obligations.	A soldier who feels a duty to protect their country and is willing to risk their life in battle.
Dynamism	Dynamism refers to the ability to be energetic and active, and to handle change and new challenges.	A business leader who has a strong sense of dynamism and is able to adapt to the ever-changing business environment.
Eagerness	Eagerness refers to a strong desire or willingness to do something.	A person who is eager to learn a new skill and actively seeks out opportunities to improve their knowledge and abilities.
Egoism	Egoism refers to the ethical theory that actions should be based on self-interest.	A person who prioritizes their own needs and wants above those of others, believing that it is the best way to achieve their own happiness and well-being.
Emotional Intelligence (EI)	A set of cognitive and emotional abilities related to social awareness, empathy, emotional self-regulation, and motivation.	Being able to manage one's own emotions in a stressful situation and remain calm and composed.
Emotional Quotient (EQ)	The ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.	Being able to understand how a colleague is feeling and adjust your communication accordingly.
Emotivism	Emotivism is the ethical theory that moral judgments are expressions of emotion rather than statements of fact.	A person who believes that moral statements such as "stealing is wrong" are simply expressions of disapproval, rather than objective truths.
Empathy	Empathy refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.	A therapist who is able to empathize with their clients and understand their struggles, in order to provide effective help.
Epistemology	The study of knowledge, including how it is acquired, justified, and used.	Debating the reliability of eyewitness testimony in a court of law.
Equality	Treating all individuals as equals, regardless of their background or identity.	A school that provides the same education to all students, regardless of their race or socioeconomic status.
Equanimity	Being calm and composed in difficult situations.	Remaining calm during a crisis.
Equity	Fairness and justice in the treatment of all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances.	A school that promotes equity by providing additional resources to students from low-income families.
Ethical Decision Making	A process of evaluating and choosing among alternatives in a manner consistent with ethical principles.	A company that makes ethical decisions by taking into account the impact of its actions on the environment, workers, and the community before making a business decision.
Ethical Fading	Ethical fading refers to the gradual erosion of ethical considerations in decision-making, as attention is focused on achieving other goals such as efficiency or profitability.	A company that starts to cut corners on safety measures to increase production.
Ethics	The branch of philosophy that deals with moral principles and values.	The study of what actions are right and wrong, and what is good and bad.
Expediency	Expediency refers to the quality of being convenient or suited to the circumstances.	A company that chooses to make a decision that is expedient in the short-term, but may not be in the best long-term interest of the company.
Fairness	Fairness refers to the quality of treating others justly and impartially.	A judge who ensures that all parties in a court case are treated fairly and given a fair trial.
Favoritism	Showing partiality or bias towards certain individuals or groups.	A manager who is accused of showing favoritism towards employees who are friends or family.
Fearlessness	Fearlessness refers to the quality of being brave and not easily intimidated.	A firefighter who is fearless in the face of danger and able to save lives in dangerous situations.
Fidelity	Being loyal and faithful to someone or something.	A person staying true to their wedding vows and remaining faithful to their spouse.
Fiduciary Duty	Fiduciary Duty refers to the legal or ethical relationship between a person or institution and one or more parties (person or group of persons) that requires the fiduciary to act in the best interest of the party/parties.	An investment advisor who has a legal duty to act in the best interest of their client.
Firmness	The ability to remain resolute and maintain one's principles in the face of challenges or opposition.	A political leader who shows firmness by standing up for what they believe in despite facing criticism from opponents.
Fortitude	The ability to face difficult challenges with courage and determination.	A soldier showing fortitude by continuing to fight in battle despite being injured.
Freedom	The ability to make choices and act on them without being constrained by external forces.	A person being able to vote in a free and fair election.
Fundamental Attribution Error	Fundamental Attribution Error refers to the tendency to attribute the behavior of others to their inherent characteristics, rather than the situation or context in which they find themselves.	Assuming that a person is rude because they are a naturally unpleasant person, rather than considering that they may be having a bad day.
Generosity	Giving freely of oneself, whether in terms of time, resources, or attention.	A volunteer giving their time to help those in need.
Gratitude	Being thankful and appreciative for what one has.	Expressing gratitude for the support of friends and family.
Happiness	A state of well-being and contentment.	A person who feels happy after spending time with loved ones.
Harm Principle	Harm principle refers to the idea that the actions of individuals should only be limited to prevent harm to others, as proposed by John Stuart Mill in his work On Liberty.	A government banning the sale of drugs that are known to be harmful to individuals and society as a whole.
Harmony	Agreement or accord among people or things.	A group of musicians playing together in harmony to create beautiful music.
Hedonism	Hedonism is the ethical theory that pleasure or happiness is the highest good.	A person who seeks out experiences and actions that bring them pleasure and avoid those that cause pain or discomfort.
Honesty	Being truthful and transparent in one's actions and words.	A person being honest about their mistakes and taking responsibility for them.
Humanism	A philosophy that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively, and generally prefers critical thinking and evidence over acceptance of dogma or superstition.	A teacher who promotes humanism by encouraging her students to think critically and make their own decisions.
Humility	Being modest and not thinking of oneself as superior to others.	A successful businessman who remains humble and gives credit to his team for their success.
Ideals	Principles or values that one considers to be morally or ethically important.	Stating that freedom and democracy are important ideals.
Impartiality	Treating all parties equally without bias.	A judge rendering a fair decision without being influenced by personal biases or prejudices.
Incrementalism	Incrementalism refers to a decision-making process where small changes are made incrementally, rather than making drastic changes all at once.	A company that makes small changes to its environmental policies over time, rather than trying to make all changes at once.
Integrity	Integrity refers to the adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.	A person who is honest and transparent in their actions and decisions, and always tries to do the right thing.
Integrity	Being honest and having strong moral principles.	A police officer who does not accept bribes and always acts with integrity.
Intellectual integrity	The adherence to high ethical standards in the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge.	A scientist who demonstrates intellectual integrity by being honest and transparent about their research methods and results.
Intuition	A feeling or belief that something is true without conscious reasoning.	Trusting one's gut feeling when making a decision.
Justice	The principle of fairness and moral righteousness.	A judge who renders a verdict based on the evidence presented and the law, rather than personal bias.
Justice	Justice refers to the principle of fairness and morality in the way that individuals and institutions treat others.	A court system that ensures that all defendants receive a fair trial and are punished appropriately for their crimes.
Kindness	Being considerate and caring towards others.	A person holding the door open for someone with their hands full.
Leadership	The ability to guide and inspire others towards a common goal.	A coach leading a sports team to victory by instilling a sense of teamwork and motivation.
Libertarian	A political philosophy that emphasizes individual liberty and minimal government intervention.	Arguing for the right to own firearms without government regulation.
Liberty	The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views.	A woman exercising her right to freedom of speech by protesting peacefully against an unjust law.
Loss Aversion	Loss Aversion refers to the tendency to strongly prefer avoiding losses over acquiring equivalent gains.	A person who is unwilling to invest in the stock market because they are more afraid of losing money than excited about the potential to gain money.
Loyalty	Being faithful and dedicated to someone or something.	A person staying loyal to their country by serving in the military.
Magnanimity	Being generous and forgiving towards others.	Offering to help a rival in business.
Meta ethics	The branch of ethics that examines the nature of ethical thought and language.	A philosopher discussing the meaning of moral terms like "good" and "bad."
Modesty	Being humble and not overly proud of oneself.	A successful artist crediting their success to hard work and the support of others.
Moral Absolutism	Moral Absolutism is the belief that there are absolute standards against which moral questions can be judged, and that certain actions are inherently right or wrong.	A person who believes that it is always wrong to take innocent life, regardless of the circumstances.
Moral Agent	Moral Agent refers to a person who is capable of making moral judgments and acting on them.	A person who recognizes that their actions have an impact on others and strives to act in an ethical manner.
Moral Cognition	Moral Cognition refers to the mental processes and mechanisms involved in moral reasoning and decision making.	A person who carefully considers the potential consequences of their actions before making a decision.
Moral Emotions	Moral Emotions are emotional responses that are triggered by moral violations or moral virtues.	Feeling of anger or disgust when witnessing an act of injustice or feeling of empathy or compassion when witnessing an act of kindness.
Moral Equilibrium	Moral Equilibrium refers to the state where an individual's moral beliefs, values and emotions are in balance and support each other, allowing for consistent and rational moral decision-making.	A person who has a clear set of moral values and beliefs, and their emotions and actions align with those values and beliefs.
Moral Philosophy	Moral Philosophy is the branch of philosophy concerned with moral values, principles, and rules of conduct.	A person who studies the works of philosophers such as Immanuel Kant or Aristotle to understand different ethical theories and how they apply to their life.
Moral Relativism	The belief that moral truths are relative to the individual or culture and that there is no objective moral standard.	A person who believes that what is morally right or wrong can vary depending on the culture or context.
Morality	The principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior.	A society's belief system about what is right and wrong.
Morals	Principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior.	A personal belief system about what is right and wrong.
Motive	The reason or intention behind a particular action.	Distinguishing between murder and manslaughter based on the perpetrator's motive.
Nationalism	An ideology that emphasizes the importance of a particular nation or ethnic group.	Arguing that the interests of one's own nation should take precedence over the interests of other nations.
Non-partisanship	Avoiding bias or preference towards one particular political party or group.	Refusing to take sides in a political dispute and remaining neutral.
Objectivity	The ability to remain impartial and unbiased when making decisions or forming opinions.	A judge who strives for objectivity by considering all the evidence and making a fair decision without showing any bias.
Obligations	Things that one is morally required to do or refrain from doing.	Debating the moral obligation to provide healthcare to all citizens.
Overconfidence bias	The tendency to overestimate one's abilities or the accuracy of one's beliefs.	Being overly confident in the accuracy of one's predictions about the stock market.
Partisanship	Strong loyalty or support for a particular political party or ideology, often to the exclusion of other viewpoints.	A politician who shows partisanship by always supporting their party's position, even if it goes against their personal beliefs.
Passion	Strong enthusiasm or excitement for something.	A scientist who is passionate about discovering new things.
Patience	The ability to wait calmly and without frustration.	A person waiting in a long line without becoming angry or impatient.
Patriotism	Love and devotion to one's country.	Joining the military to defend one's country.
Perseverance	The ability to persist in the face of adversity and continue working towards a goal.	An athlete who demonstrates perseverance by training hard and overcoming injuries to achieve success.
Persistence	Continuing to work towards a goal despite obstacles or challenges.	A student who studies hard and persists in their efforts until they pass their exams.
Pluralism	Recognizing and respecting the diversity of opinions and beliefs in society.	A community made up of people of different races, religions, and backgrounds living together in harmony.
Pragmatism	The belief that practicality and effectiveness should be the primary consideration in decision-making.	A businessman choosing the most cost-effective solution for a problem rather than the most ideal one.
Probity	Honesty and integrity in one's actions and behavior.	A public official who is known for their probity and is trusted by the community.
Prudence	Being practical and wise in one's actions and decisions.	Considering the long-term consequences of a decision.
Rationality	The ability to think and make decisions in a logical and reasonable manner.	A scientist who makes decisions based on rationality, by carefully analyzing data and drawing logical conclusions.
Rationalizations	Rationalizations are excuses or justifications made to explain or defend an action or decision that is in conflict with one's moral beliefs or values.	A person who justifies cheating on a test because they were under a lot of stress and needed to do well in the class.
Rectitude	Uprightness and moral righteousness in one's actions and behavior.	A police officer who is known for their rectitude and is respected by the community for their honesty and integrity.
Red Tapism	Bureaucratic delays and inefficiency due to excessive paperwork or regulations.	A government department that is known for its red tapism and takes months to process simple requests.
Relativism	The belief that moral truths are relative to the individual or culture.	A person who believes that what is considered right or wrong can vary depending on the society or culture in which one lives.
Reliability	Being dependable and trustworthy.	A person who always keeps their promises.
Resilience	The ability to bounce back from difficult situations and recover from adversity.	A person who loses their job and demonstrates resilience by quickly finding another one.
Respect	Treating others with dignity and courtesy.	A person showing respect to their elders by addressing them politely.
Responsibility	Being accountable for one's actions and decisions.	A company taking responsibility for cleaning up an oil spill they caused.
Retributive Justice	The idea that punishment should be inflicted on those who have done wrong, in proportion to their offense.	Arguing for harsher criminal sentences for repeat offenders.
Righteousness	Adhering to moral principles and doing what is right, even in difficult situations.	A person who stands up for what is right, even when it is not popular or easy.
Rights	Rights are legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement that is justified by moral or legal principles.	Right to freedom of speech, Right to a fair trial, Right to privacy
Rule Utilitarianism	Rule Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that holds that the best action is the one that follows the rules that lead to the greatest good or happiness for the most people.	A rule that says "do not harm others" is likely to lead to more happiness than a rule that says "maximize your own pleasure"
Sacrifice	Giving up something valuable for the sake of something else.	A soldier sacrificing their life for their country.
Self-discipline	The ability to control one's own behavior and impulses.	A person who wakes up early every day to exercise.
Self-serving bias	The tendency to attribute one's successes to one's own abilities and failures to external factors.	Blaming a loss in a game on bad luck, rather than poor performance.
Social Contract Theory	Social Contract Theory is the idea that moral and political systems are based on a hypothetical agreement among individuals to give up some individual freedom in return for protection and security provided by the government or society.	A person who believes that they have a responsibility to follow the laws of the country they live in because they have agreed to do so in exchange for the protection and benefits provided by the government.
Solidarity	Unity and support among individuals or groups who share a common goal or values.	A community that comes together in solidarity to help those affected by a natural disaster.
Spirit of Service	A commitment to serving others and making a positive impact.	A non-profit organization that is driven by the spirit of service and works to improve the lives of those in need.
Stereotyping	Making assumptions about a group of people based on their membership in that group.	Assuming that all Asians are good at math.
Stoicism	A philosophy that emphasizes self-control and acceptance of fate.	A stoic person remains calm and unemotional in the face of adversity.
Sympathy	A feeling of sorrow or pity for the suffering of others.	A friend who offers sympathy to another friend who has lost a loved one.
Temperance	Self-control and restraint in one's actions and desires.	Avoiding overeating or excessive drinking.
Transparency	The quality of being open and honest in one's actions and decision-making.	A government that promotes transparency by publishing budgets and financial records for public review.
Truth	Being accurate and honest in one's statements.	A journalist reporting the truth about a political scandal.
Uprightness	Honesty, integrity and moral rectitude.	A businessman who is known for his uprightness and fairness in his business dealings.
Utilitarianism	The belief that the moral value of an action should be based on its usefulness in promoting the overall happiness of the greatest number of people.	A government passing a law that may be unpopular but will improve the overall well-being of society.
Value judgement	A judgement or opinion about something's worth or importance.	Saying that honesty is a more important value than loyalty.
Values	The principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life.	Honesty, integrity and respect are personal values that one holds.
Virtue Ethics	Virtue Ethics is an ethical theory that emphasizes the character and habits of the moral actor, rather than rules or consequences, as the key element of ethical thinking.	A person who strives to be honest, compassionate, and courageous in their actions, rather than focusing on following a set of rules.
Virtues	A moral excellence; a positive trait or quality deemed to be morally good and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being.	Courage, compassion, and humility are examples of virtues.
Whistle-blowing	Reporting unethical or illegal behavior within an organization, usually by an employee.	An employee of a company reporting illegal activities of the company to the authorities.
Work ethics	A set of values and principles that guide one's behavior in the workplace.	Showing up on time, being honest and reliable, being productive, and treating colleagues with respect.
Zeal	Great energy and enthusiasm for something.	A person who is passionate about protecting the environment and works tirelessly to raise awareness about the issue.