Christian Ethics definitions

Values: def and a Christian example

1. A principle or quality seen as Intrinsically desirable or valuable. (Generally very broad).

2. _____ are vague, not precisely defines as specific behaviors

3. Christian example: Modest, honest, etc.

Ethics: Def

1. The discipline dealing with what is good and bad or right and wrong or with moral duty and obligation;

2. A group of moral principles or set of values; a particular theory or system of moral values;

3. The principles of conduct governing an individual or a profession; standards of behavior.

Norms: def and Christian example

1. A principle of right action that is binding on groups and group members, which guides and regulates appropriate behavior

2. Is narrower in focus than Values but broader than Rules

3. Semi-specific definitions for behavior but still some vagueness.

4. Christian example: (re value of modesty): ladies should not wear blouses/shirts with a deep fee (i.e revealing) or short skirts; men should not wear pants too tight.

Rules: def

1. Specific regulations applying a norm to specific behavioral definitions. Rules are narrower in focus NOrms.

2. Example: website guidelines clothes

• shirt/blouse/dress “the neck line should be no lower than 4 fingers below the collar bone”

• Skirt/dress “Can be no shorter than 4 fingers above the top of the kneecap”

Moral dilemma

______: a case where one has two moral “ought” in conflict with no way to satisfy both - in Theological terms one must sin or sin

• classic example cited: “Lying to save the Jew you hid from the Nazi’s”

Dilemma: def

A situation that requires a choice between options that are seen equally unfavorable or mutually exclusive but he moral issues are clear or not an issue:

• you accidentally double-book an appt and have to cancel one

• An elderly hospital patient has just been diagnosed as a terminally ill but the family has asked you not to tell this patient that information. Now the patients ask you if they are dying.

Moral conflict: def and example

A specialized form of dilemma where one will be in conflict and suffering IF one does the “Right Thing”

• example: the 3 hebrews: bow down to an image versus being thrown into the fiery furnace; Daniel and the Lion’s den; risk losing job to keep the Sabbath.

• (Some even Rae treat moral dilemmas and moral conflicts as synonyms)

Ethical Absolutism

Believes there are absolute, unchanging, universal standards of right and wrong, not affected by cultural or social influences: Right and Wrong are ABSOLUTEL!

Ethical Relativism

Denies any absolute, Univeristy standards of right and wrong. Sees morality as evolving, flexible, and culturally based