Glossary

  1. Deductive argument:  an argument that is intended by the arguer to be (deductively) valid, that is, to provide a guarantee of the truth of the conclusion provided that the argument’s premises (assumptions) are true
  2. Inductive argument:  an argument that is intended by the arguer merely to establish or increase the probability of its conclusion
  3. Validity: an argument is valid if the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises. If the premises are true, then the conclusion must also be true
  4. Soundness: An argument is sound if it is valid and all of its premises are true
  5. Utilitarianism:The ethical doctrine that virtue is based on utility, and that conduct should be directed toward promoting the greatest happiness of the greatest number of persons.
  6. Hedonism: The ethical theory that pleasure (in the sense of the satisfaction of desires) is the highest good and proper aim of human life
  7. Descriptive Relativism: This position merely recognizes cultural differences. It refers to the fact that cultures differ in their beliefs about right and wrong
  8. Ethical Relativism (cultural relativism): claims that right and wrong are nothing but what a cultures believes them to be. Cross-cultural perspectives can have no moral authority
  9. Moral Imperialism: Is the desire and tendency to impose one’s own moral standards on others
  10.  Virtue: behavior showing high moral standards
  11.  Wisdom:  the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
  12. Eudaimonia: is a Greek word commonly translated as happiness or welfare; however, “human flourishing” has been proposed as a more accurate translation
  13. Industrialize: develop industries in (a country or region) on a wide scale
  14. Slaughter: the killing or butchering of cattle, sheep, etc., especially for food
  15. Exploitation: the action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work