C150 words
Philosophy and Ethics
Philosophical concepts and ethical reasoning.
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Words in this collection
- philosophynounfɪˈlɒsəfɪThe study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.
- ethicsˈɛθ ɪksMoral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity; a system of moral principles.
- moralitynounməˈrælɪtɪA set of principles or values that distinguish right from wrong behaviour; the quality of being in accord with standards of right conduct.
- justiceˈdʒʌstɪsThe concept of moral rightness based on law, fairness, ethics, and equity; also, the administration of this concept through law.
- autonomynounɔːˈtɒnəmɪthe right or condition of self-government; freedom from external control or influence.
- dignitynounˈdɪg nɪ tiThe state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect.
- obligationnounˌɒb lɪˈgeɪ ʃənA duty or responsibility that one is morally or legally bound to do.
- responsibilitynounrɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪlɪtɪThe state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or having control over someone; the state of being accountable or to blame for something.
- consequentialismnounˌkɒnsɪˈkwɛnʃəˌlɪzəmThe ethical theory that the morality of an action is determined solely by its consequences.
- deontologynounˌdiːɒnˈtɒlədʒɪThe ethical theory that the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules, rather than based on the consequences of the action.
- utilitarianismjuːˌtɪlɪˈtɛərɪəˌnɪzəmThe ethical doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or beneficial to the majority of people; specifically, that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the guiding principle of conduct.
- relativismnounˈrɛl ə təˌvɪz əmThe doctrine that knowledge, truth, or morality is not absolute but depends on the perspective of the individual or cultural context.
- absolutismnounˈæb sə luˌtɪz əmA political or philosophical system in which unlimited, complete power is held by a single ruler or authority.
- consciousnessnounˈkɒn ʃəs nɪsThe state of being aware of and responsive to one's surroundings, thoughts, and existence.
- existencenounɪgˈzɪs tənsThe state of being alive or present in the real world.
- metaphysicsˌmɛt əˈfɪz ɪksThe branch of philosophy concerned with the fundamental nature of reality, existence, and abstract concepts such as being, time, space, causality, and substance.
- epistemologynounɪˌpɪstɪˈmɒlədʒɪThe branch of philosophy that studies the nature, origin, and limits of knowledge.
- logicnounlŏj<strong>′</strong>ĭkThe systematic study of valid reasoning and inference; the principles of correct thinking.
- reasoningnounˈri zə nɪŋThe process of thinking about something in a logical way in order to form a conclusion or judgment.
- truthnountruθThe quality or state of being in accordance with fact or reality.
- knowledgenounˈnɒlɪdʒAwareness, facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.
- beliefnounbɪˈlifA mental acceptance that something is true or exists, often without complete proof.
- justificationnounˌdʒʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃənA reason, fact, or explanation that shows why something is reasonable, right, or necessary.
- skepticismnounˈskɛp təˌsɪz əmAn attitude of doubt or a disposition to disbelieve; questioning the truth or validity of claims, especially those presented as facts or knowledge.
- empiricismnounɛmˈpɪrɪˌsɪzəmThe theory that all knowledge originates from sensory experience and observation.
- rationalismnounˈræʃənəˌlɪzəmThe philosophical belief that reason and logical analysis are the primary sources of knowledge and truth, superior to sensory experience or religious doctrine.
- pragmatismnounˈpræɡməˌtɪzəmA practical approach to problems and affairs, focusing on what works rather than on theories or ideals.
- liberalismnounˈlɪb ər əˌlɪz əmA political philosophy or ideology centred on the principles of individual liberty, equality, consent of the governed, and freedom from arbitrary authority.
- authoritynounɔːˈθɒrɪtɪThe official power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience; a person or organization having such power.
- determinismdɪˈtɜːmɪˌnɪzəmThe philosophical doctrine that all events, including human decisions and actions, are causally predetermined by preceding events or natural laws, leaving no real free will.
- freedomnounˈfriːdəmThe power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
- equalitynounɪˈkwɒl ɪ tiThe state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.
- democracynoundɪˈmɒkrəsɪA system of government in which the people hold the ultimate political power, typically exercised through elected representatives or by direct voting.
- solidaritynounˌsɒl ɪˈdær ɪ tiUnity and mutual support within a group, especially among individuals with a shared interest, goal, or situation.
- compassionnounkəmˈpæʃənA deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering, coupled with a strong desire to alleviate that suffering.
- integritynounɪnˈtɛɡrɪtɪThe quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
- accountabilitynounəˌkaʊn təˈbɪl ɪ tiThe state of being responsible for your actions or decisions and required to explain them.
- transparencynoun-ˈpɛər-The quality or state of being transparent; the condition of allowing light to pass through so that objects can be distinctly seen.
- legitimacynounlɪˈdʒɪt ə mə siThe quality or state of being legitimate, conforming to the law or to accepted standards or rules.
- sovereigntynounˈsɒvrəntɪThe supreme authority and power of a state to govern itself or another state, free from external control.
- constitutionnounˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃənThe fundamental principles, laws, or established precedents that govern how a state or other organization is authorized to be constituted and governed.
- principlenounˈprɪnsɪpəlA fundamental truth, law, doctrine, or motivating force that serves as the foundation for a system of belief, behavior, or chain of reasoning.
- valuenounvăl<strong>′</strong>yo̅o̅The importance, worth, or usefulness of something; the amount of money something is worth.
- normnounnɔːmA standard, pattern, or rule that is typical or expected in a particular situation or society.
- standardnounˈstændədA level of quality or achievement, or a thing used as a measure, norm, or model in comparative evaluations.
- ideologyˌaɪdɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəlA system of ideas, beliefs, and values that forms the basis of a political or economic theory, or of a group's worldview.
- doctrinenounˌdɒktrɪˈnælɪtɪA principle or set of principles, especially about religion or politics, that is taught and believed by a particular group.
- dogmanounˈdɔg məA principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true, especially in a religious or philosophical context.
- axiomăk<strong>′</strong>sē-əmA statement or principle that is accepted as true without proof, serving as a foundation for reasoning or a system of belief.
- postulatepŏs<strong>′</strong>chə-lĭtto suggest or assume the existence, fact, or truth of something as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief.