4.2 Religion And Morality Flashcards
What is meant by theonomous ethics?
- argues that morality stems from god
- religion and morality are DEPENDENT on each other
What is meant by autonomous ethics?
- argues that morality is decided by the moral agent
- morality is INDEPENDENT to religion; it is separate to god
What is meant by heteronomous ethics?
- argues that morality is defined by an external force
What is platos euthyphro dilemma?
- is something morally good because the gods command it or whether the gods command something because its morally good?
- is goodness essential to gods nature, or is it good because its essential to gods nature?
What does Kant argue in terms of autonomy?
- morality needs autonomy, to be moral agents we must be free, otherwise we cannot be held responsible for our actions
- Kant argues that if god exists, he and humanity abide by the same rational principles
- we need god as the best possible explanation of why we should act morally: for the Summum Bonum
What does Nietzsche argue about religion and morality?
- human flourishing is achieved by understanding ourselves and setting our own goals
- but religion encourages man to be suffering and weak in the face of wrong
What does Nietzsche mean by master morality?
Morality should be based on what individuals deem to have value
What does Nietzsche mean by slave morality?
Pity, patience, humility, self-sacrifice are the ideas put forward by religion that are at odds with human flourishing
What does R A Sharpe argue about religion and morality?
The commands of Christianity and religion are immoral e.g. better not to use contraception, no divorce
Distorts the desire to do good acts by false promises of heaven; they only behave well because they are frightened of hell
What does Richard Dawkins argue about religion and morality?
- religion is opposed to morality - humanity would be better off without religion/belief in god
- religion positions on morality, especially when taught to children, represent a form of INDOCTRINATION, teaching dubious and uncritical moral codes
- therefore argues for a morality that values autonomy
What does Richard Dawkins argue about biblical parenting?
Biblical parenting condemns some behaviours - masturbation, sex before marriage, homosexuality - as impure to the point where it could lead you to hell
What are the beliefs of the Quiverfell movement?
- a conservative evangelical Christian religious group
- believe that having children is a blessing from god and the purpose of sex is reproduction
- comes from psalm 127 - ‘blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them’
- its a Christian duty to have as many children as possible to build an ‘army of god’
What is wrong with the quiverfell movement?
-it is inherently patriarchal: women are defined by the fact that they have a womb and can bear children
- the woman’s role is to mother and nurture children
What are the beliefs of the westboro baptist church?
- an American hate group founded by Fred phelps in 1966, who argue that events such as 9/11 are DIVINE RETRIBUTION for americas support and tolerance for homosexuality
- argue that most people will go to hell and strongly believe in gods wrath and hatred of homosexuals
What is the euthyphro dilemma?
Whether the pious or holy is beloved by the gods because it is holy, or holy because it is beloved of the gods
What are some examples of moral rules a Christian might follow if they believed in divine command ethics?
Any command from the decalogue (10 commandments)
Example: ‘Thou shalt not kill.’
What is theonomy?
Belief that god determines, absolutely, the laws of morality associated with conservative Christian movements
Define the term Summum Bonum.
The supreme good - the result of following the moral law
What example does Sharpe give to demonstrate why Christian morality lacks compassion?
The Catholic Church which believes it is more important to follow gods commands against contraception despite bringing a child into the world that may suffer mistreatment and neglect because it is unwanted
What is an anti-theist?
Somebody who opposes religion (because it is immoral etc.)
