Ethics

Who suggests the Euthyphro dilemma?

Plato

What is the Euthyphro dilemma?

Asks the question ‘is the holy approved by the gods because it is holy or is it holy because it’s approved?’

What is the first horn in the euthyphro dilemma?

“good” means “whatever God commands”, so we should follow his commandments because he commanded them

What is the problem with the first hormone of the Euthyphro dilemma?

God could command anything and that would make it morally good- Morality seems arbitrary

What is the second horn of the Euthyphro dilemma?

“good” exists independently of God. God commands these things because he knows that they are good, but it isnt Him who makes them good

What is the problem with the second horn of the Euthyphro dilemma?

Morality comes from somewhere else, not from God, He is just the messenger. God seems impotent. (Why can’t we go straight to the source, not through God?)

Who criticised the Euthyphro dilemma?

William Lane Craig

What did William Lane Craig say?

Theres a third alternative… God’s own nature is the standard of goodness.. our moral duties are determined by the commands of a just and loving God

What is the oldest and most widely used ethical theory in the world?

Divine command theory

What does the Divine Command theory suggest?

An act is morally right if God commands in and is morally wrong if God has forbidden it

What does Rene Descartes (french philosopher) say about divine command theory?

“Whatever God has revealed to us must be accepted as more certain than anything else.. we must put our entire faith in divine authority rather than our own judgement”

What does Jean-Paul Sartre say about divine command theory (french philosopher)

Everything is permissible if God does not exist

What is the grounding problem?

What do we base or ground our morality in?- asks for the ultimate foundation or justification for moral principles, exploring how concepts like "right" and "wrong" are rooted in reality

What is a biblical argument against divine command theory?

In Genesis 22:2, God instructs abraham to kill his own son as a sacrifice
-God’s will may not always be moral

What is a Deontological theory?

Some actions are always right or wrong- this approach is based on following rules which can never be broken under any circumstance. - linked to moral absolutism

What is a teleological theory?

This approach is based on the end results or consequences- the ends justify the means. Any action can be deemed moral if the outcome is positive

What is the Decalogue?

the 10 commandments- used to describe the commands given to Moses on Mount Sinai in 1260BC

What is the reason for there being 10 commandments?

John Drane ‘learning devices so that they could be counted off on the fingers of both hands as they were repeated’

Why do the 10 commandments have greater moral authority than laws?

they came from God

How are the 10 commandments sorted?

first 4- our relationship with God
last 6- our relationship with others

What are the 10 commandments?

1- you shall have no other gods before me

2- you shall not make an idol

3- you shall not misuse the name of the Lord

4- Remember the sabbath and keep it holy

5- Honour your father and mother

6- You shall not murder

7- You shall not commit adultery

8- You shall not steal

9- You shall not bear false witness

10- You shall not cover your neighbour’s goods

Example of a nation built on the 10 commandments?

USA- dollar bill states ‘in God we trust’

Strengths of Moral commands?

-Clear moral guidance

-Respects human dignity (supports fundamental human rights)

-Influence on Law and Policy

Weaknesses of moral commands?

-Inflexibility, they dont account for the complexity of modern moral dilemmas

-Potential for harm, strict adherence may lead to a harmful outcome (stealing bread could preserve human life, but is forbidden)

-Legalism, people could potentially neglect the importance of love, compassion, and mercy

-Dependence on God, moral commands can be interpreted differently depending on your view of God

What are the different teachings on the sermon on the mount?

Beatitudes

Salt and Light

Attitude to law

Three ways to be good

Where is the sermon on the mount found?

Matthew 5

Describe the blessing for the poor in spirit.

The blessing for the poor in spirit emphasizes spiritual poverty rather than material poverty, suggesting that those who recognize their need for God will be blessed.

Explain the significance of mourning in the context of the second beatitude.

The second beatitude highlights that those who mourn for their sins and the sins of the world will be comforted, indicating a deep empathy and sorrow for wrongdoing.

Define the characteristics of the meek according to the third beatitude.

The meek are described as gentle, weak, and powerless individuals who depend entirely on God.

How does Barclay describe the desire for righteousness in the fourth beatitude?

(Blessed are those who hinger and thirst for righteousness)

Barclay describes the desire for righteousness as extremely demanding and frightening, comparing it to the intense longing of a starving person for food or a thirsty person for water.

Describe the significance of showing mercy according to the 5th beatitude

Showing mercy to others is emphasized as a way to receive mercy from God, as highlighted in the Lord's Prayer.

Describe the blessing for the pure in heart

The text states that purity of heart is essential for seeing God, and it encourages self-examination of motives.

Define the role of peacemakers in the 7th Beatitude

Peacemakers are those who bridge gaps and heal divisions, embodying a godly work contrary to divisive actions.

Describe the blessing for those who are persecuted because of their righteousness

To encourage those persecuted for simply standing up and claiming to be a follower of christ

What does Barclay suggest about the type of person who embodies the beatitude of peacemaking?

Barclay suggests that peacemakers are individuals who cannot live with bitterness and actively work to heal and unite.

Where in the sermon on the mount is Salt and Light mentioned?

Matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth…. you are the light of the world”

Explanation of Salt?

Salt both preserves and flavours food. In the same way Jesus meant Christians to be a positive, preserving, flavouring influence in the world, adding goodness.

Explanation of Light?

Because the world is in darkness, their faith must shine so others will be interested in following Jesus.

What are the antitheses?

a section of the sermon on the mount in which Jesus updates old testament Law

What part of old testament law does he reveal the true meaning of?

Murder (dont even have negative thoughts about someone)
Adultery (If you think about a woman with lust you are an adulterer)
Divorce (Encouraged people to work out problems in marriage and protected women)
Vows (Your word should be enough- dont misrepresent God because his name is sacred)
Revenge (Turn the other cheek, do not detaliate. Give forgiveness)
Love of enemies (Love all people even your enemies, and pray for them)

What are the three ways to be good in the sermon on the mount?

Almsgiving, but doing this to help others not to flaunt wealth

Praying, but doing it privately to outwardly

Fasting

Do all these things with inward intention not outwardly