Biblical Studies prelims

Ethics

a system of moral principles by which human actions, speech, thought and proposals may be judged good or bad, right or wrong

Values

the beliefs and principles that you believe are important in the way that you live and work

Principles

a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behaviour or for a chain of reasoning

Beliefs

an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof

Norms

rule or standard of behaviour shared by members of a social group

Morality

the principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behaviour

Moral

someone or something concerned with principles of right and wrong

Absolutism

the holding of absolute principles in political, philosophical, or theological matters

Moral absolutism

the view that there are moral laws that are universal and unconditional

Relativism

the view that there are moral laws that are universal and unconditional

Deontology

an ethical theory that uses rules to distinguish right from wrong

Categorical imperatives

an unconditional moral obligation which is binding in all circumstances and is not dependent on a person's inclination or purpose e.g act as you want other people to act towards other people

Consequentialism

the morality of an action is to be judged solely by its consequences

Utilitarianism

actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority

Individualism

a social theory favouring freedom of action for individuals over collective

Collectivism

the practice or principle of giving a group priority over each individual in it

Egoism

an ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality

Emotivism

an ethical theory that posits that it is impossible to determine right from wrong. instead, any moral statement is simply a reflection of the speaker's emotions

Hedonism

the pursuit of pleasure; sensual self-indulgence

Virtue ethics

an action is only right if it is an action that a virtuous person would carry out in the same circumstances

Human rights

the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world

Human rights declaration

Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948

Human rights example

the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of expression

Rights

a moral or legal entitlement to have or do something

Responsibilities

the opportunity or ability to act independently and take decisions without authorization

Moral relativism

the idea that there are no absolute rules to determine whether something is right or wrong

Categories of Christian Ethics

Creation, God’s command, God’s character, New Future