Christian Ethics Midterm

Teleological ethics

Only the outcome of an action (What can be gained from this?) determines the morality of it

Deontological Ethics

Responsibility to conform to a preexisting order/law (what already exists) - Natural Law

Deontological ethics

Based on obligation, duty, responsibility, what “must be” done

Natural Law

Humans are born with intrinsic values like morality and the ability to be rational in decision-making

• Advocated for by Plato and Aquinas

A criticism of the Natural Law Theory

Ethics has to do with evolving and new issues

Normative Perspective

Just because something “is” doesn’t mean it “ought” to be done

Existential perspective

People “reason” in different ways and have different views of what is right and wrong

Deontological Ethics

Developed by Kant; aka “Duty ethics”; based on reasoning

Categorial Imperative

Involves maxims, which are the general, universalizable rules of behavior (Should everyone do what this maxim states?)

Kant’s 4 Illustrations

Do not harm self or others, do what is good for self and others

Divine Command Theory

Moral principle stating that right/wrong is determined by God’s commandments/will

Developed by Socrates and Brunner

Divine Command Theory

Consequentialism

A results-oriented approach, defining ethical behavior by good/bad consequences

Utilitarianism

The value of a consequence is determined by the amount of happiness/harm caused by an action (and equal amounts of happiness per person)

Theory backed by Bentham and Mill

Utilitarianism

Situational Ethics

Right/wrong depends on the circumstances - there are no universal moral rules of R/W - case by case basis

Reflective Morality

Demands observation of particular situations, rather than fixed adherence to a priori principles (John Dewey)

Pragmatic Ethics

Rejects any form of absolutism and universality of thought; there is no universal ethical principle

Eudaimonism (Virtue Ethics)

The ultimate goal is human flourishing and moral education (cultivation of virtues) - Developed by Aristotle