ETHICS

proportionalism

ethical theory that blends absolute moral rules with the flexibility to break them in a proportionate way if reason justifies the action

strengths of proportionalism

• existed for a long time and is fairly robust

• based on common sense

• widely utilised

weaknesses of propoProportionalismrtionalism

• condemned by the catholic church

• lacks a clear, objective method for calculating or measuring values and disvalues

NML strengths

• offers a foundational and absolute approach to ethics

• realistic

• basis for creation of natural rights

• adaptable - John Finnis has version without the existence of a God

NML weaknesses

• teleological view that we all share a human nature designed by God

• can lead to immoral actions

• Aquinas version does require the existence of a God

agent

individual who’s the capacity to tell right from wrong and can be held legally or morally accountable for their actions beatific visionb

beatific vision

the ultimate state of eternal happiness where a person experience the direct knowledge of God in heaven

canon law

system of laws and legal principles created and enforced by Christian churches to govern their internal organisation sa

casuistry

case based method of practical reasoning that uses general moral principles to address complex dilemmas

consequentialism

theory that judges wether an action is right or wrong based on its outcomes

cultural relativism

principle that an actions rightness of wrongness depends on the moral standards of the society in which it occurs