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