Glossary

1. Argument: A set of reasons in support of a claim
2. Conclusion: A claim intended to be supported by an argument
3. Premise: Claims given as reasons for thinking that the conclusion of the argument is true
4. Moral Absolutism: Believe that their truth is the truth, there is a single, correct answer to ethical questions.
5. Cultural Differences: Morally varies from culture to culture, therefore, there is no truth when it comes to morality
6. Moral Pluralism: They are moral truths, they don’t form a system, but they may have conflict within each other. Each has a partial claim, and each provides a check on the other two.
7. Moral Alienation: To be removed from feelings or emotions
8. Imperatives: commands issued by reason to act in various ways
9. Categorical imperative: when an action is commanded as being good without qualification
10. Hypothetical imperative: when an action is commanded as being necessary for bringing about some further end
11. Principle of Impartiality: Equal amounts of happiness are equally desirable
12. Negative responsibility: If you don’t do anything its the same as doing something
13. Empirical: Sense evidence
14. Intrinsic Value: innate, natural value
15. Extrinsic Value: means or a tool as value
16. Deontology: Duty based ethics, morality of situation is not based on the consequences.
17. Good will: The only thing without qualification
18. Happiness: not pain or wellbeing (Mill)
19. Virtue: Excellence – possible only with rationality`1
20. Eudamonia: Activity of the soul in accordance with virtue and happiness.
21. Rule utilitarianism: An indirect theory, since rightness or wrongness of an act depends on a set of rules; these rules are justified by utilitarian principle.
22. Act Utilitarian: The rightness & wrongness of each action depends directly on whether it fits the utilitarian principle.
23. Inclination: A rational feeling that describes our tendencies to commit a certain action out of good will.
24. Colloquial: Used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary.
25. Hedonistic: Engaged in the pursuit of pleasure: sensually self-indulgent
26. Discern: Perceive or recognize something
27. Objective: Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts.
28. Mindfulness: A mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting ones feelings, thoughts and sensation.
29. Constraint: A limitation or restriction

30. Kant: 18th-century Enlightenment philosopher who emphasized the importance of duty-motivated intention

31: J.S. Mill: Utilitarian philosopher who emphasized the importance of maximizing happiness and higher pleasures

32: The Noble Eightfold Path: The eight steps or habits laid out by the Buddha in the fourth noble truth which, if practiced, are believed to allow an individual to bring an end to their suffering.

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