See also philosophy; values
amoralism
the state or quality of being without morality or of being indifferent to moral standards. —amoralist, n. —amoral, adj.
axiology
the branch of philosophy dealing with values, as those of ethics, aesthetics, or religion. —axiologist, n. —axiological, adj.
casuist
1. a person who studies and resolves questions of right and wrong in conduct.
2. an oversubtle or specious reasoner. —casuistic, adj.
casuistry
1. the branch of ethics or theology that studies the relation of general ethical principles to particular cases of conduct or conscience.
2. a dishonest or oversubtle application of such principles.
deontology
the branch of philosophy concerned with ethics, especially that branch dealing with duty, moral obligation, and right action. —deontologist, n. —deontological, adj.
eudemonism, eudaemonism
the ethical doctrine that the basis of morality lies in the tendency of right actions to produce happiness, especially in a life governed by reason rather than pleasure. —eudemonist, eudaemonist, n.
metaethics
a branch of philosophy concerned with the foundations of ethics and especially with the definition of ethical terms and the nature of moral discourse.
moralism
the practice of morality, as distinct from religion. —moralist, n. —moralistic, adj.
sensationalism
sensualism. —sensationalist, n.
sensualism
the doctrine that the good is to be judged only by or through the gratifleation of the senses. Also called sensationalism.
synteresis
the belief or doctrine that the conscience is the repository of the laws of right and wrong. See also health.
utilitarianism
the ethical doctrine that virtue is based upon utility and that behavior should have as its goal the procurement of the greatest happiness for the greatest number of persons. —utilitarian, n., adj.
