Religion 35 Ethics and Morality Study Notes

ETHICS AND MORALITY

  • Ethics: Discipline concerning the nature of good and criteria for right judgments.

  • Morality: System of right conduct based on beliefs, norms, and customs.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ETHICS AND MORALITY

  • Ethics guides morality; akin to understanding driving rules (ethics) vs. driving safely (morality).

FOUR ETHICAL STORIES

  1. The Scream: Personal response compels action.

  2. The Beggar: Encounter with the Other invokes ethical decision-making (Levinas).

  3. "I Have To": Duty arises from authority (Kant).

  4. "This is Intolerable": Response to injustice or inhumanity.

ETHICAL DILEMMAS

  • Ethical moments often frame as "How can I NOT respond?"

  • Ethical choices may not always be perfect; growth in ethical sense is essential.

NATURAL LAW

  • Questions on universality of laws: Some laws may be natural or universal across cultures and time.

  • Natural Law characteristics:

    • Based on principles and truths inherent to creation.

    • Universal, eternal, immutable.

  • Man's law: Based on belief constructs, varies by location and time.

HUMAN NATURE AND NATURAL LAW

  • Brainstorm on universal human laws: Encourage collective discussion on applicability.

  • Examples of natural inclinations and morality: violence, prejudice, killing, cannibalism, etc.

KEY POINTS ON HUMAN NATURE

  • Universal human notion of behavior linked to an inscribed law.

  • Awareness of the Law of Nature exists, yet individuals often fail to abide by it.

ETHICS VS. MORALITY

  • Ethics: Focuses on good character, happiness, and freedom (Greek: ta ethika).

  • Morality: Concerned with customs and rules for attaining goodness (Latin: moralitas).

ADDITIONAL THEMES

  • Examination of sin and the nature of God in Christianity is encouraged for reflection and discussion.