Ethics

Religion-Based Ethics

Explores the relationship between moral principles and religious beliefs, focusing on Divine Command Theory and Natural Law Theory.

Divine Command Theory (DCT)

A theory positing that morality is dependent on the will of God, defining right and wrong based on divine commands.

Moral Authority

In DCT, God is considered the ultimate source of moral authority.

Autonomy

Individuals have the free will to choose whether to follow divine commands in DCT.

Moral Clarity

Adherence to divine commands often provides believers with a sense of moral clarity and certainty.

Euthyphro Dilemma

A philosophical problem questioning whether something is right because God commands it or if God commands it because it is right.

Natural Law Theory (NLT)

A theory asserting that morality is grounded in reason and the natural order, with moral principles discoverable through human reason.

Objective Morality

In NLT, moral truths exist independently of human beliefs and can be discovered through reason.

Teleological

NLT is concerned with the purpose or end goal of actions and natural phenomena.

Aquinas’ Sexual Ethics

Reflects NLT, suggesting that sexual activity should be oriented towards procreation.

Ethical Relativism

The view that moral values and principles are relative to individual or cultural perspectives, rejecting absolute moral truths.

Cultural Relativism

The belief that moral practices are culturally dependent, varying from one culture to another.

Normative Ethical Relativism

Argues that it is morally wrong to judge or interfere with the practices of others, as morality is relative to the group or individual.

Descriptive Ethical Relativism

Observes that moral judgments vary across societies and individuals without implying fundamental ethical conflicts.

Ethical Skepticism

Doubts the existence of universal moral truths, likening moral judgments to personal tastes.

Ethical Absolutism

Holds that there is a single correct moral evaluation for any ethical question, applicable universally.

Free Will

A basic assumption in ethics that individuals have the freedom to make moral choices.

Rationality

Assumes humans are rational moral agents capable of reflecting on and making moral decisions.

Theistic Ethics

Based on divine authority, providing clear directives but less flexibility for change.

Secular Ethics

Relies on human reasoning and societal constructs, allowing for flexibility and reassessment of moral principles.