Essential Terms in Ethics and Social Sciences
Key Concepts in Ethics and Moral Philosophy
Ethics
Ethics is a branch of philosophy, particularly moral philosophy, which is responsible for assessing and evaluating human behavior.
Philosophy
Philosophy is the science that deals with very important issues that have always interested men, such as the origin of the world and life.
Etymology
Etymology is the study of the Greco-Latin origin of words to help describe their meaning.
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is the philosophy of art or beauty.
Aphorism
Aphorism refers to Latin expressions, for example, “excusatio non petita, accusatio manifesta.”
Moral
Moral is what is considered human, good, and fair.
Aggravating Circumstances
Conditions that exacerbate the immorality of an action.
Mitigating Factors
Factors that decrease the immorality of an action.
Code of Ethics
A set of rules, norms, or principles governing what is considered a right action, determining what is just or unjust, moral or immoral.
Conscientious Objection
The legal concept that consists in the refusal to comply with a law on ethical grounds, for breach or violation of our moral code, principles, or values.
Disclaimer
The capacity to accept responsibility for one’s own actions; that is, acknowledging what one did, wanted to do, and standing by the consequences.
Hypocrisy
The attitude and desire to express ideas contrary to those one holds in order to make a profit.
Socialization Factors
Instances, people, or organizations that transmit their own moral values of an ethical code.
Aristotle
“Man is social by nature.” “Man is a social animal” (zoon politikon).
Anachronism
Attributing categories characteristic of the future to characterize or describe a previous historical period.
Anthropophobia
Cannibalism.
Discriminating
Treating someone differently.
Human Rights
A universal and objective ethical code that sets out moral conduct at all times and everywhere, for all humans.
National Court
Courts that handle cases of drug trafficking, terrorism, and those whose impact on public order is serious.
Constitutional Court
Oversees cases involving the infringement of human or constitutional rights. Its judgments are final.
Vetoed
To legislate; to promulgate.
Sharia
A set of rules or religious laws that are mandatory in some Muslim countries, where sin is considered an offense.
Non-denominational
No official religion; sins are not crimes. It is a democratic state with equality before the law, with no discrimination on grounds of religion, and freedom of conscience, religious expression, and association.
Damaging
Detrimental; causing impairment or expense.
De Jure
In theory; in order; legally.
De Facto
In practice.
Feminism
The defense of equal rights or equality before the law.
Machismo
The belief that man is the center and the most valuable. Also known as androcentrism or phallocentrism.
Apology
Defense.
Proselytism
Spreading one’s religion with the intention of increasing the number of adherents.
Parental Alienation
Disturbing a spouse by making false accusations.
Assertiveness
The ability to say no and act coherently.
Racism
Xenophobia; premeditation.
Genocide
The annihilation of a large population due to xenophobia.
Solidarity
An ethical value consisting of helping those most in need, given a situation of indifference.
Subject
A slave to power.
Citizen
A person having rights and duties.
Parricide
Killing a relative.
Unscathed
Unharmed; unhurt; without penalty.
Republican
A system where there is no monarchy. It believes that all citizens are equal before the law and all can be heads of state.
Resistance and Dissent
Groups opposed to the established power.
Judgment
Judgment; verdict.
Wrongfully Spoken
When a judge displays personal desires to harm the complainant.
Withdraw
To prevent or repress the implementation or development of something.
Recourse
An appeal.
Plagiarism
A crime that involves copying something without citing the source and claiming it as one’s own.
Pilfer
Conduct that violates the right to property, but when done to one’s mother or father, it is not considered an offense.
Theft
Theft of small amounts.
Robbery
Theft of amounts greater than 70€.
Parental Authority
Any parent has the right to keep and raise their children but also has the duty to guarantee their right to education and equal opportunities.
Union
An organization that defends the interests of workers.
Anarchism
A philosophy defending the non-existence of the state because it is considered immoral, as individuals should be completely free.
Homophobia
Hatred of homosexuals.
Xenophobia
Fear or anger towards foreigners.