1.3 Selfishness, greed, ignorance and sin Flashcards
2 Religious reasons for human wrong-doing
1) As a consequence of Original Sin it means our nature has been corrupted and we are inclined to do bad things. Augustine says that because of Adam and Eves bad behaviour, it explains all evil we do.
2) Aquinas says that Ignorance is the ultimate cause of wrongdoing. God gives us natural inclination to do good but our reasoning goes wrong and we identify apparent goods rather than real goods (the primary precepts)
Non-religious explanation of human wrong doing
1) Psychological egoism is the view we are selfish by nature. This is because our ancestors had to be selfish to find a lover and reproduce. This means only selfish people reproduced and those selfish jeans are passed on. This makes selfishness hard-wired into our genes
2 Religious ways human wrong-doing can be overcome
1) Some Christians believe that human beings can’t cure themselves from original Sin apart from the grace of God. They do this by accepting God’s love, believing Jesus died on the cross and getting baptised. Since original Sin is the cause …
2) Another way to overcome human wrongdoing is through displaying agapeic love to all. Jesus said “Love one another” John 13:35 and by doing this we will overcome selfishness which is a cause of human wrongdoing.
“Religious beliefs about sin are out of date.” AGAINST
1) Original Sin explains human wrong doing. Aquinas proves that original sin is the reasons we are greedy, selfish, and ignorant.
2) Not out of date, only way to be freed from bad human nature is through receiving Gods grace. Do this by accepting God’s love, believing Jesus died on the cross for us and getting baptised.
“Religious beliefs about sin are out of date.” FOR
1) Are out of date because that isn’t the reason for human wrong doing. Ignorance is the ultimate cause of wrongdoing. God has given us a natural inclination to do good and avoid evil yet we do bad because we see apparent goods rather than real goods.
2) Out of date because we are not inherently sinful and therefore have nothing to relieve ourselves from. Jean Paul Satre says that existence preceeds essence and we are not made sinful but chose how we make ourselves.
