Ethics

Question 1

Moral absolutism

Answer 1

A command that is true for all in all places and in all situations-ethical view that some actions are intrinsically right or wrong.

Question 2

Moral absolutists beliefs

Answer 2

-Believe that certain ethical norms or precepts exist independent of human experience
-Argue that it would be illogical if an ethical principle were morally RIGHT for one SOCIETY yet ethically WRONG for another.
Essentially how can sumthin be calm in one place but a big no no in another area?
E.g Torture of Prisoners Arranged Marriage Female Circumcision

Question 3

Types of Moral Absolutism

Answer 3

Human Rights
Platonic Idealism
Religious Absolutism

Question 4

Types Of Moral Absolutism- Platonic Idealsim

Answer 4

Philosopher Plato believed that the realm of the forms was permanent and unchanging, thus teaching philosophers eternal truths- Theory Of Forms

Moral absolutes are backed by the theory of forms as it explains that we naturally know right from wrong as are SOULS have witnessed TRUE UNCHANGING FORMS/CONCEPTS in the realm of the forms.

Question 5

Types of Moral Absolutism- Religious Absolutism

Answer 5

Comes in various forms most notably Natural Law and Divine Command Theory.

Natural Law- Many world religions accept the idea that God created the universe. This belief led to the idea of Natural Law Theory- a combination of BIBLICAL understanding and work from Philosopher Aristotle.

Divine Command Theory- Many Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired WORD of God- in the Bible, God starts the process that results in the incarnation through Jesus Christ. Thus showing that the Bible is SALVATION HISTORY, which gradually conveys the DIVINE NATURE and God’s Moral Teachings. This developed the DIVINE COMMAND THEORY from this UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURES.

Question 6

Types of Moral Absolutism- Human Rights

Answer 6

Human rights Theory- the theory that every individual is entitled to certain fundamental rights: right to have children

Human rights impact moral and legal decisions making surrounding issues such as whether a terminally ill person should be able to take their own life.

Human rights theorists agree that individual have certain natural and unchallengeable rights. However they differ over the extent of those rights.

Question 7

Primary Rights

Answer 7

Natural rights that all human beings have I.e freedom to be happy or sad, to have a family etc

Question 8

Secondary Rights

Answer 8

Require the existence of state and government- e.g right to medical treatment education and welfare.

Question 9

Secondary Rights- Family Rights

Answer 9

These include
Legal rights
Security Rights
Political Rights
Welfare Rights
Equality Rights

Question 10

Strengths of Moral absolutism

Answer 10

It allows different societies to share COMMON VALUES
Provides CLEAR MORAL JUDGEMENTS in situations where there is a need for ethical guidance
Enables the possibility of dialogue between different societies because they SHARE COMMON VALUES
Morality is not based on individual or group preferences but rather an ABSOLUTE AND UNIVERSAL VALUES
Allows for quick ethical decisions to be made

Question 11

Weakness of Moral Absolutism

Answer 11

It takes no account of CULTURAL DIFFERENCES- It is argued that moral laws differ from SOCIETY to SOCIETY. However Absolutes do not recognise this

Does not take into consideration of INDIVIDUAL LIFESTYLES. There is no recognition that people differ in their PERCEPTION OF MORALITY due to LIFESTYLE DIFFERENCES

Does not consider the SITUATION. Scholars argue absolutist moral theories ignore the CIRCUMSTANCES in which Ethical Judgements are made

Does not account Historical Developments: things that may have been moral in past might not be in the present Absoultes disregard this idea