moral philosophy
Study of virtue
Moral philosophy is the branch of philosophy concerned with questions of right and wrong, good and evil, and how people ought to live.
Also called ethics, it examines the principles that guide human conduct and the foundations of moral judgments.
Moral philosophers ask what makes actions ethical, whether moral truths exist, and how we should treat one another.
She studied moral philosophy before going to law school.
Unconditional ethical obligation
- natural lawInherent moral principles
- social contractAgreement exchanging freedom for order
- golden ruleFundamental operating principle
- prescriptivismEnforcing linguistic correctness
Study of right conduct
- metaethicsPhilosophy examining moral foundations
- applied ethicsMorality for real situations
- deontologyMorality based on obligations
- consequentialismEthics judging by results
utilitarianism · bioethics · business ethics · medical ethics · axiology · casuistry · ethical theory
Internal moral sense
- guiltMoral self-reproach
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- empathySharing another's emotions
- responsibilityState of being answerable
obligation · autonomy · free will · intentionality · self-control · culpability · blameworthiness · praise
Careful, wise judgment
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- justiceFair treatment under law
- compassionConcern for others' distress
integrity · honesty · humility · courage · wisdom · benevolence · charity · patience
Greek founder of formal logic
- KantGerman Enlightenment thinker
- MillVictorian ethicist's surname
- BenthamUtilitarian ethics founder
- HumeScottish Enlightenment philosopher
Nietzsche · Aquinas · Plato · Socrates · Hobbes · Locke · Moore · MacIntyre
Just and equal treatment
- equityImpartial treatment or ownership value
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
- desertTo leave behind completely
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
restorative justice · egalitarianism · libertarianism · communitarianism · punishment · impartiality · reciprocity · human rights
categorical imperative
Unconditional ethical obligation
- natural lawInherent moral principles
- social contractAgreement exchanging freedom for order
- golden ruleFundamental operating principle
ethics
Study of right conduct
- metaethicsPhilosophy examining moral foundations
- applied ethicsMorality for real situations
- deontologyMorality based on obligations
consequentialism · utilitarianism · bioethics · business ethics · medical ethics · axiology · casuistry · ethical theory
conscience
Internal moral sense
responsibility · obligation · autonomy · free will · intentionality · self-control · culpability · blameworthiness · praise
prudence
Careful, wise judgment
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- justiceFair treatment under law
compassion · integrity · honesty · humility · courage · wisdom · benevolence · charity · patience · kindness
Aristotle
Greek founder of formal logic
Hume · Nietzsche · Aquinas · Plato · Socrates · Hobbes · Locke · Moore · MacIntyre · Confucius
fairness
Just and equal treatment
- equityImpartial treatment or ownership value
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
- desertTo leave behind completely
retribution · restorative justice · egalitarianism · libertarianism · communitarianism · punishment · impartiality · reciprocity · human rights
- religious educationreligious education, Bible college, Bible stories, religious instruction, Sunday school
- disciplinesbiology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, psychology
- humanitieshistory, literature, novels, humanities, liberal arts
- ethical educationvalues, ethics, character, integrity, honesty
- ethicsdeontology, dignity, sanctity of life, utilitarianism, consequentialism
- Greek philosophyAristotle, Socrates, Plato, Pythagoras, Academy
moral philosophyamoralism
Rejection of moral categories
realpolitik · Machiavellianism · nihilism · formal logic · mathematics
moral philosophypragmatism
Practical problem-solving philosophy
moral philosophysociology
Study of human communities
anthropology · natural science · psychology · behavioral science · biology
moral, morality, morals, philosophy, morally, amoral, immorality, moralizing, demoralize