Introduction to Ethics Definition of Morality and Ethics Fields in Ethics –descriptive,...

Introduction to Ethics

Definition of Morality and EthicsFields in Ethics

– descriptive, normative, metaethicsOther Normative Disciplines

– law, religion, etiquetteDomains of Moral Assessment

– act, consequences, character, motive

Ways of Moral Reasoning

DeontologicalTeleological/UtilitarianRelativismEgoismEmotivismVirtue Theory

Deontological Ethics

Defined: principle-based3 Main Types of Deontology:

– Divine Commands– Natural Law– Kantian deontology

Natural Law Ethics

Defined: general revelation in the area of moral values

Biblical Basis: – Jeremiah 33: 25-26, Proverbs 8:22-31 – Romans 2: 14-16– Proverbs 6:6-11, 24:30-34

Teleological Ethics

Utilitarianism Defined: greatest good for the greates number.

Act and rule utilitarianismAppeal of UtilitarianismProblems with Utilitarianism

– Can’t predict/measure harm and benefit; harm depends on prior principles, can’t protect minorities.

Teleological Ethics

Ethical Egoism defined: self-interestAppeal of EgoismProblems with EgoismBalancing self-interest and altruism

Relativism

Different cultural standardsMulticulturalism and the revival of

relativismTypes of Relativism: cultural, individual,

situation ethicsCultural Relativism defined:Problems with relativism

– self-defeating, can’t condemn tyrants

Virtue Theory

Action oriented ethics vs. virtue oriented ethics

Approach of the Virtue ethicist to cases Intuitionist--right and wrong known directly

by intuition/conscience

Conclusion

Systems have one main point of difference--source of moral authority

Scripture uses a variety of types of reasoning, but is primarily deontological/virtue based

Watch the news for discussion of the issues--watch how they determine right and wrong