Question

What are the four broad categories that have traditionally fallen under the heading of ethics?

A) Consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics, relativism
B) Politics, religion, philosophy, psychology
C) Individualism, collectivism, hedonism, utilitarianism
D) Morality, legality, social norms, etiquette

Answer 1

The four traditional categories of ethics are Consequentialism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics, and Relativism, each offering a different approach to determining moral conduct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The four broad categories that have traditionally fallen under the heading of ethics are Consequentialism, Deontology, Virtue Ethics, and Relativism. These are the main approaches to normative moral theory, which seeks to guide moral conduct. Consequentialism determines the rightness of actions based on their outcomes, aiming for the greatest good. Deontology focuses on duties or rules as the basis for morality. Virtue Ethics emphasizes character and the cultivation of virtues as the key to moral behaviour. Lastly, Relativism suggests that ethical truth is not absolute but varies from group to group.