Ethics and Philosophy of Religion Lecture Notes

Vocabulary terms and key philosophers from the lecture notes covering the Problem of Evil, Utilitarianism, Kantian Ethics, Natural Law, Situation Ethics, and the Person of Jesus.

Logical Problem of Evil

The argument proposed by J.L. Mackie that the existence of evil is logically incompatible with the existence of an omnipotent and omnibenevolent God.

Free Will Defence

Alvin Plantinga's argument that God allows evil because human free will is valuable, challenging the idea that evil makes belief in God impossible.

Evidential Problem of Evil

William Rowe's argument that focuses on the probability that God does not exist due to the presence of excessive and pointless suffering.

Greatest Happiness Principle

A principle developed by Jeremy Bentham that advocates for ethical decision-making that maximizes overall welfare.

Justice Criticism (Utilitarianism)

A critique of utilitarianism suggesting the theory can be used to justify harming minorities to achieve the greatest happiness for the majority.

Higher Pleasures

John Stuart Mill's refinement of Bentham's utilitarianism, which distinguishes between qualities of pleasure to create a more sophisticated ethical approach.

Absolute Rules (Kantian Ethics)

The Kantian requirement to follow moral rules without exception, such as the rule that one must not lie even to save a human life.

Duty (Kantian Ethics)

The concept that moral rules must apply equally to everyone to create consistency, serving as a defense against the charge of rigidity.

Objective Morality (Natural Law)

The idea that Natural Law provides clear and universal guidance for human behavior based on human nature.

Fixed Telos

The traditional view of a specific human purpose or end in Natural Law, which is often questioned by modern society.

Agape

The concept of unconditional love advocated by Joseph Fletcher, intended to make ethical decision-making more compassionate in Situation Ethics.

Situation Ethics

A moral theory that prioritizes flexibility and the specific context of real-life situations over rigid, predetermined rules.

Resurrection

The central Christian claim regarding Jesus' return from the dead, viewed as the most convincing evidence of his divinity.

Historical Criticism

A field of study that questions the reliability of the Gospels, often used to challenge arguments for the divinity of Jesus.