Dialouges

Question 1

Simmilarities between the Goals of Benthams Utilitarianism and ChristianEthics

Answer 1

The goal of Christianity is arguably to get into heaven, which is infinite happiness. Arguably the goal of utilitarianism and religious ethics is thus the same, it’s just that Bentham doesn’t believe that there is a heaven so for him it is only the happiness and pain in this life which has moral significance whereas for Christians happiness and pain in this life is insignificant compared to the eternity experiences in the afterlife.

Question 2

Similarities between Jesus’ consequentialist actions and Benthams Utilitarianism

Answer 2

Jesus seemed to act in a way that showed concern for suffering and happiness rather than ridged adherence to the rules of the Old Testament. This suggests Jesus had a consequentialist approach – rules could be bent or broken depending on the consequences for happiness. When asked whether the Sabbath had to be kept, Jesus replied ‘the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27).

Question 3

Differences between Christianity as deontological and Utilitarianism

Answer 3

Religious ethics seems deontological in that the Bible explicitly condemns actions rather than consequences. E.g. the ten commandments “Thou shalt not murder”. So perhaps Jesus felt there was some leeway with the rule about the Sabbath, but that doesn’t justify interpreting his as a consequentialist. In fact Jesus made the rules on killing more strict, by saying you couldn’t even have hatred in your heart for someone.

Question 4

Main simmilarity between Kantian ethics and Christian Ethics

Answer 4

Two of the three postulates are religious; God and immortality. Furthermore, the goal of morality for Kant is the summum bonum, which is similar to the goal of Christian ethics and the idea of judgement and an afterlife in which those who did good actions receive a reward.

Question 5

Difference between Kantian ethics and Christianity, reason

Answer 5

Kant arrives at this formulation through reason, not faith. Therefore even though it is similar to Jesus’ command in practice, the foundation for belief in it is very different. Kant believed that we should figure out ethics using reason, not by having faith in the revelation of the Bible.

Question 6

Love thy Neighbor and Kant

Answer 6

Kant’s second formulation involving treating people as ends is arguably similar to loving your neighbour as yourself.