Kant / Important Vocabulary Week 9(1)

Word + Part of speech (grammar)

Definition

Normative (adj)

Used to describe the standard or accepted behaviour (i.e. a norm or norms).

Deontology (n)

Deontologist (n)

Deontological (adj)

The branch of ethics that deals with actions, duties, and moral obligations.

A deontologist is someone who is concerned with actions (as opposed to consequences).

Consequentialism (n)

Consequentialist (n)

The theory that the moral worth of human actions depends primarily on their outcomes or consequences.

A consequentialist is someone who is concerned with consequences (cf. a deontologist).

Will (n)

Friendliness, benevolence, kindness.

Inclination (n)

A liking or preference for an action.

Imperative (n and adj)

(n) A command; something that demands attention or action; an unavoidable obligation.

(adj) Absolutely necessary or required; unavoidable.

Hypothetical (adj)

Assumed or thought to exist OR existing only as an idea or concept (e.g. a hypothetical situation: If you were Socrates…)

Maxim (n)

A principle or rule of conduct.