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All 8 Flashcards — What makes an action right?
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Question
Normative ethics?
Answer
Working out which actions are right and why — not just describing how people behave.
Question
The three families of ethical theory?
Answer
Character (virtue), rules (deontology), results (teleology).
Question
Virtue ethics in one line?
Answer
A right act is what a good person would do — it flows from good character.
Question
Deontology in one line?
Answer
A right act keeps a duty or rule, whatever the results.
Question
Teleology in one line?
Answer
A right act brings about the best outcome — the most good, the least harm.
Question
Why does one act split three ways?
Answer
Each family measures the SAME act by a different standard, so they can reach different verdicts.
Question
What question does each family really ask?
Answer
Virtue: what person to be? Deontology: what am I required to do? Teleology: what should I aim at?
Question
When do the three families matter most?
Answer
When they clash over the same act — then you must decide which measure wins.
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Topic 4.1 hub
Normative ethics
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