Christian Ethics
ETHICS
I-Situation Ethics -Emphasis on the way moral rule cannot anticipate complexities of situations. -One rule has overall priority: neighbor love (Agape) -We only know what love will require in the actual situation -Not what is good or right but “Fitting” - An example of “utilitarianism”
-Choices should be morally assessed based on the state of affairs that they bring about.
-“the greatest good for the greatest number”
II-Universal Ethics-there are absolute rights and wrongs
Deontological – Actions are intrinsically wrong or right regardless of the state of affairs that action brings about. The end does not justify the means
Emphasis on actions, not situations
Begins with basic question of our purpose in life- the readings from pope john paul
Teleological- From “telos” or “end” an emphasis on the end or “object” of two things -Human life in General and each individual act -Begins with actions, not consequenses
-Some actions can be judged intrinsically evil regardless of the situation
Responses to Situation Ethics
==P==74,75 for critique
No separating love from the commandments, cannot begin from consequences and must analyze the action itself.
11/14/13
Virtue Ethics
-an approach to ethics that supplements a focus on right actions with an emphasis on the character required to perform such actions in a variety of circumstances. -Not just actions but habits (58-59) -An abiding quality a person has that characterizes who he or she is. -Emphasis on who we are, not just what we do (59)
TWO KINDS OF HABITS
-Virtues and Vices
- Habits are good virtues
Why virtues and not just good actions toward others?
- Brings about a habit of good actions, virtues, which provide reliability
- We do not enter situations from scratch
- Ability to improvise in new situations, makes being moral easier (62)
- Transferability
Two Types Of Virtue
-Cardinal Virtues Prudence-the ability to make decisions based on reason and idea
I-Situation Ethics -Emphasis on the way moral rule cannot anticipate complexities of situations. -One rule has overall priority: neighbor love (Agape) -We only know what love will require in the actual situation -Not what is good or right but “Fitting” - An example of “utilitarianism”
-Choices should be morally assessed based on the state of affairs that they bring about.
-“the greatest good for the greatest number”
II-Universal Ethics-there are absolute rights and wrongs
Deontological – Actions are intrinsically wrong or right regardless of the state of affairs that action brings about. The end does not justify the means
Emphasis on actions, not situations
Begins with basic question of our purpose in life- the readings from pope john paul
Teleological- From “telos” or “end” an emphasis on the end or “object” of two things -Human life in General and each individual act -Begins with actions, not consequenses
-Some actions can be judged intrinsically evil regardless of the situation
Responses to Situation Ethics
==P==74,75 for critique
No separating love from the commandments, cannot begin from consequences and must analyze the action itself.
11/14/13
Virtue Ethics
-an approach to ethics that supplements a focus on right actions with an emphasis on the character required to perform such actions in a variety of circumstances. -Not just actions but habits (58-59) -An abiding quality a person has that characterizes who he or she is. -Emphasis on who we are, not just what we do (59)
TWO KINDS OF HABITS
-Virtues and Vices
- Habits are good virtues
Why virtues and not just good actions toward others?
- Brings about a habit of good actions, virtues, which provide reliability
- We do not enter situations from scratch
- Ability to improvise in new situations, makes being moral easier (62)
- Transferability
Two Types Of Virtue
-Cardinal Virtues Prudence-the ability to make decisions based on reason and idea