key terms

moral law: binding moral obligations

maxims: a personal/subjective rule for behaviour; another word for moral rules, determined by reason

duty: duties are created by the moral law - to follow it is our duty. the word deontological means duty-based

summum bonum: the highest, most supreme good

good will: a person of good will is a person who makes decisions according to the moral law

categorical imperative: something human beings are duty-bound to do whatever the circumstances. not dependent on external factors » MUST DO

hypothetical imperative: something human beings should do in order to achieve a certain end/goal » OUGHT TO DO

kingdom of ends: an imagined future in which all ppl act in accordance to the moral law, the categorical imperative

faith: voluntary commitment to a belief without the need for complete evidence to support it

empiricism: a way of knowing that depends on the 5 senses

natural theology: drawing conclusions about the nature n activity of God by using reason and observing the world

protestantism: a form of christianity which rejects the authority of the catholic church n places greater emphasis on the Bible and on personal faith

revelation: ‘uncovering’. in theological terms, this is when God chooses to let Himself known

immediate revelation: where someone is given direct knowledge of God

mediate revelation: where someone gains knowledge of God in a secondary, non-direct way

grace of God: God’s unconditional n undeserved gifts

wisdom literature: a genre of writing from the ancient world, teaching about wisdom n virtue. in the Bible, books such as Proverbs n Job are classified as wisdom literature

3 postulates: 1. freedom (summum bonum) - the highest degree of life; 2. immortality; 3. God - his theory implies a God that can be accessed through application of moral reasoning