Year 11 Ethical theories

____________ is the ethical theory that emphasizes actions that maximize happiness and well-being for the greatest number of people.

Match each stance on morality to the correct ethical theory

• Morals maximise social happiness

• Situational Ethics

• Morals are time/cultural specific

• Relativism

• There are no moral codes

• Nihilism

• Morals are individual specific

• Subjectivism

• Morals are context specific

• Utilitarianism

Situational Ethics is best described as:

• A fixed set of moral rules

• A focus on the greatest good for the greatest number

• An approach that considers the context of each situation

• A belief that nothing has inherent moral value

Nihilism in ethics is characterised by:

• The belief in absolute moral truths

• The rejection of all religious and moral principles

• The prioritisation of personal happiness

• The idea that moral values are culturally determined

Relativism suggests that:

• Moral values are universal and unchanging

• Moral values are subjective and personal

• Moral values depend on cultural or societal context

• Moral values are determined by divine command

How does Utilitarianism differ from Subjectivism?

• Utilitarianism focuses on individual feelings, while Subjectivism focuses on consequences.

• Utilitarianism is concerned with the greatest good, while Subjectivism is based on personal perspectives.

• Utilitarianism is context-dependent, while Subjectivism is rule-based.

• Utilitarianism rejects moral principles, while Subjectivism embraces them.

In a scenario where lying could save a life, which ethical theories would most likely justify the lie?

• Nihilism

• Utilitarianism

• Relativism

• Subjectivism

• Situational ethics

Which ethical theory would argue that moral decisions should be based on the specific details of a situation rather than fixed laws?

• Situational Ethics

• Nihilism

• Utilitarianism

• Relativism

• Subjectivism

A person believes that stealing is wrong because their culture teaches it as a moral value. Which ethical theory does this belief align with?

• Subjectivism

• Nihilism

• Relativism

• Utilitarianism

• Situational ethics

Which of the following best describes the view of Nihilism towards moral values?

• Moral values are subjective and personal

• Moral values are determined by cultural norms

• Moral values are non-existent or meaningless

• Moral values are based on the greatest happiness principle