Christian Ethics Flashcards
What does a morally significant action mean?
They involve right and wrong.
What does a morally neutral action mean?
They do not involve questions of right or wrong.
What are some features of morally significant actions?
• It is performed by a moral agent – an intelligent creature that is capable of free choice.
• It is the result of intention; the action was done on purpose with a particular motive.
• It has significant consequences for others e.g. causing harm or bringing about some benefit.
What does a Deontological approach involve?
There are absolute rules that should be followed at all times. We have a duty to follow these rules in all situations.
What does a Consequentialist approach involve?
Only the consequences determine whether an action is good or bad. What we should do depends on the situation. There are no fixed rules.
What does virtue mean?
An ‘excellence of character’. If it is a habit that we can learn to develop e.g honesty, generosity, courage, faithfulness, self control.
What are three sources of authority for Christians?
• Bible – the holy book for Christians.
Contains the 10 commandments, teachings of Jesus (The Golden Rule; the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the Parable of the Sheep & the Goats etc.)
• Church – the hierarchy of the Christian religion.
May give guidance from priests/bishops, church traditions etc.
• Conscience – the ‘voice in our heads’ that tells us right from wrong.
What are some Christian moral principles?
• Do not steal
• Do not kill
• Do not lie
• The Golden Rule – ‘treat others as you wish to be treated’
• ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’.
• Stand up for the weak, the poor and the excluded (taken from the example set by Jesus)
What are some Christian Principles that can be defended when associated with different theories?
For principles regarding lying, stealing and killing, they can be defended with situation ethics. E.g a mother who needs to steal bread for her starving children - stealing is morally wrong but the action is correct in the moment and is done with loving intentions. The outcomes of the actions are positive as they help the children, which would also make the decision correct from a consequential view.
What does Situation ethics mean?
Situation ethics is a Christian consequentialist ethical theory, which describes how In each situation we should aim to do the most loving thing, even if it means breaking moral principles e.g. stealing or killing. This means that we cannot say in advance what we will do as each situation is different. It is based on Jesus’ commandment to ‘Love your neighbour’.
What are some examples of Christian love?
• Agape love (universal love for all humankind)
• A concern for people’s wellbeing whether we like them or not
• Being charitable
• Sacrificial love – doing things for others even if it may be detrimental to ourselves.
What are some strengths of situation ethics?
• Puts people before rules.
• Flexible, allowing individualised responses to different contexts.
• Suggest solutions that work - useful.
• Focuses on the end or outcome of an action.
• Allows the individual to make their own decisions.
• Focuses on love and motive.
What are some weaknesses of situation ethics?
• Vague and misguided
• Can allow things like adultery, theft, lying and murder which is not permitted in the bible.
• Gives the individual more power than they should have.
• There is not a clear base of the meaning.
What does Humanism mean?
An approach to life based on humanity and reason. Humanists do not believe in God.
What are some Humanist views on ethics?
Do not think that moral rules need to be given to us by God – we can work them out using reason.
• Do not believe we will be rewarded or punished for our actions in the afterlife.
• Believe we should still act morally. as our actions have consequences for others.
• Accept teachings like the Golden Rule.
What does a non - religious theory mean?
Does not rely on God/sacred writings to determine what is right. We can work out what we should do through reason.
What is an example of a utilitarian view?
We should always try to produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number. This means the most overall amount of pleasure spread amongst the most people.
What are some strengths of utilitarianism?
• Preserves happiness and prevents harm.
• Inclusive and easy to use
• Clear objective
• Allows the greatest good to come out of a situation
What are some weaknesses of utilitarianism?
• The end does not justify the meaning.
• Unpredictable and immeasurable
• People can’t always be trusted
• Tyranny of the majority
What is meant by the term sacrificial love?
Doing things for others even if it may be detrimental for ourselves.
What is a quote regarding situation ethics from Joseph Fletcher?
“There are times when a man has to push his principles aside and do the right thing.”
