Explore tens of thousands of sets crafted by our community.
Medieval Theories of Ethics
12
Flashcards
0/12
Virtue Ethics - Aristotle
Focuses on the virtues, or moral character, of a person rather than specific actions. Aristotle believed ethical virtues are habits that enable a person to live according to reason and as a rational being.
The Ethics of William of Ockham
Ockham proposed a form of moral voluntarism that claimed God's will alone determines what is good, and that ethical norms could be established by divine command alone.
Franciscan Ethical Tradition
Inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, this tradition emphasizes simplicity, poverty, and a connection to the natural world as ethical values. It advocated for living like Christ as the path to moral goodness.
Natural Law Theory - Thomas Aquinas
Holds that our ability to reason allows us to deduce and do what is morally right. Aquinas integrated Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology and believed that natural law is part of divine providence.
Divine Command Theory
Claims that morality is somehow dependent upon God, and that moral obligation consists in obedience to God’s commands. Medieval theists believed moral rightness means a action's conformance to God's will.
Consequentialism - Abelard
Peter Abelard suggested that the morality of an action is determined by its consequences. This perspective emphasizes the outcome of actions when determining moral worth.
Intentionalism - Abelard
Abelard also believed that the intention behind an action, rather than its consequences, is what makes an action morally good or bad.
Duns Scotus on Universals and Ethics
Duns Scotus believed in a moral realism where universals have a real existence. He argued that morality is rooted in the eternal law, defining right and wrong, independent of human judgement.
The Principle of Double Effect - Thomas Aquinas
Aquinas posited that it is permissible to perform an action that has two effects, one good and one bad, under certain conditions, emphasizing the agent's intention and the proportionality between the good and bad effects.
Anselm’s Satisfaction Theory of Atonement
St. Anselm's theory suggests that humanity owes a debt to God for sin, and that satisfaction must be made. Christ’s death is viewed as the satisfaction of the honor owed to God, restoring the moral order.
Augustinian Ethics
St. Augustine's view that all ethical norms and moral values are ultimately based on God's will. Augustine argues that peace is the highest human good and that all moral actions should aim toward achieving it.
The Just War Theory - Augustine of Hippo & Thomas Aquinas
A doctrine that ensures war is morally justifiable under certain criteria, including a just cause, proper authority, right intention, and proportionality. Augustine initiated this theory, followed with contributions by Aquinas.
© Hypatia.Tech. 2024 All rights reserved.