Ethics: ethical theories to issues of life + death

Question 1

ETHICS

Answer 1

Area of philosophy concerned with the study of moral judgement

Question 2

MORAL

Answer 2

Actions, behaviour and intentions considered good or right

Question 3

IMMORAL

Answer 3

Actions, behaviour and intentions considered bad and wrong

Question 4

MORAL/ETHIC THEORY

Answer 4

A set of ideas about ethics and how people should behave

Question 5

MORAL AGENT

Answer 5

someone involved in making ethical and moral decisions

Question 6

NORMATIVE ETHICS

Answer 6

Branch of ethics which discusses what individuals ought to and not to do. Questions; what is it to be a good person?

Question 7

CONSEQUENTIALIST

Answer 7

Term applied to ethical theories which judge whether an action is right or wrong based on the consequence of actions, not action itself. (utilitarianism)

Question 8

DEONTOLOGICAL

Answer 8

term applied to ethical theories which make judgments about ethical actions based off the intentions of the moral agents or consistency with moral laws (moral law)

Question 9

TELEOLGICAL

Answer 9

term applied to ethical theories which are interested in the end outcome, rather than means (situation ethics)

Question 10

CHARICTER-BASED

Answer 10

term of ethical theories that make judgements about persons rather than actions (Aristotles virtue ethics)

Question 11

ACT-CENTERD

Answer 11

Term applied to ethical theories make judgements about actions rather than persons (Kantian Deontology)

Question 12

APPLIED ETHICS

Answer 12

application of ethical thinking to real-world issues e.g: euthanasia

Question 13

2.4 capital punishment

Answer 13

It represents justice for victims of the most serious of crimes. Outlawed in Britain since 1965, it believed just less than 50% of population want the practice to be reinstated

Question 14

2.4 capital punishment

LEX TALIONIS

Answer 14

Old Testament: EXODUS 21: “But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth.”
= law talionis = law of RETALIATION. (punishment should fit the crime) - Jesus sermon on the mount “eye for an eye”
Jesus also said “If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
GHANDI RESPONSE: disagrees “ an eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind”

Question 15

2.4 capital punishment

1st justification

Answer 15

RETRIBUTION:

Against this is “2 wrongs don’t make a right” - cycle of violence leaving few without blood on their hands.

Question 16

2.4 capital punishment

2nd justification

Answer 16

DETERRENCE:
Against this is scientific studies have consistently found effectiveness of capital punishment as a deterrent as flawed in United States. “violence only breeds violence” states who allow C.P have higher murder rates.
because crimes are normally acts of passion or influenced by drug usage.

Question 17

2.4 Capital punishment

3rd justification

Answer 17

PROTECTION: (ruling out the possibility for people to reopened)
Against this is life sentencing would achieve the same outcome.

Question 18

2.4 capital punishment

natural moral law

Answer 18

AQUINAS in Summa Theologiae he favoured C.P

1) “treatment to be commended is his execution in order to preserve the common good “ He believes, those who have C.P have forfeited their natural goodness + are no more than creatures of sin.
2) Those who commit serious crimes are a threat to “common good” + best interests in society that they are killed. Its the duty of the government in “one entrusted with the care of the whole community”

Against this: in his time hearing voices was considered a demonic possession, now its a sign of mental illness. Criminals who show they are insane or at that time, are confined to a mental institution + are often not given C.P

imprisonment instead of C.P, risk of false accusation like in the past, to avoid miscarriage of justice.

Question 19

2.4 capital punishment

Fletchers 4 working principles

Answer 19

PERSONALISM: “There is nothing individualistic about personalism… a solitary man is no man at a all”
Thus, C.P is relative to the needs of society
Does executing criminals have the best interests of AGAPE(“love” in N.T -brotherly love, goodwill +benevolence)
LEGALISM: (in Christian theology, putting law above the Bible) He suggests killing “innocent people might be right” Is means C.P is not always right or wrong (legalism) judge to execute on case-by case.
DETERRENCE + PROTECTION: are loving consequences (interest of agape) they are the prevention of more deaths or harm.
RETRIBUTION: is supporting Jesus teaching “turn the other cheek” (agape) Followers of situation ethics may argue C.P more loving, than keeping someone locked up for years.

TELEOLOGICAL THEORY: has problems justifying C.P.
someone wrongly accused= deterrent + false impression of protection to society.
Execution can deter, but also martyr

OVERALL, Fletcher shows he doesn’t agree with C.P as it doesn’t parallel Jesus’ teachings. Jesus wanted redemption, thus why many Christians believe in reforming.

Question 20

2.4 capital punishment

ARISTOTLE

Answer 20

Talked about virtue of justice- can be seen as flourishing society as a whole. ( seek only what is fair for them to receive, Nicomachean Ethics- justice is = with justice)
NE- “In an unjust action, to have too little is to suffer injustice, while having too much is to commit it”
Its basically paralleling lex talionis
2 problems: Not clear crimes =”gain” or advantage for offender. Not clear C.P represents persons justice.
C.P PROVIDES JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS FAMILY-
Arisotles justice as a virtue- victim themselves have been wrongly done, thus justice is owed to them.
unfair gain is compensated to the loss suffered.
Suggests NO execution, but feat of necromancy.
Aristotle unreliable as can’t raise people from the dead.

Question 21

2.4 capital punishment

Answer 21

DEATH PENALTY: in singapore possession of drugs = can be C.P. although it is hard to see benefits for addict, they are better off without the drugs.
Murder, awful mistake, someone under the influence, crime of passion.
Its dubious whether C.P as deterrent is effective, only purpose is it reduces the incidence of crime.

Question 22

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Answer 22

the execution of criminals guilty of committing serious crimes. Eg: Romans crucified murderers + those guilty of treason if not romans + beheaded those who were.

Question 23

NATURAL MORAL LAW

Answer 23

takes a deontological approach to ethics + so would take the same issue of capital punishment

Question 24

2.4 capital punishment

facts + case study

Answer 24

1)C.P is abolished throughout Europe
2)keeps law-abiding population safe
3) 25 death row inmates executed in 2018
FREDERICK BAER- killed a woman and her daughter. Is on death row in Indiana, since 2005.
FOR: a way of protecting police force
most murders are freed before they complete their sentence
AGAINST: Justice system is not infallible
executing people for political reasons turn them into martyrs
life is sacred + should not be taken away in a civilised society

Question 25

2.4 capital punishment

More quotes

Answer 25

Instructions from scripture: “Whoever takes a human life, shall surely be put to death” LECITICUS 24
C.P: disorders society, an ordered society take protective measures.
Disrupts principles of society, like protect not harm.

Question 26

2.4 c.p

Pope

Answer 26

“improve prison conditions, in respect of the human dignity of the person deprived from freedom.” Pope Francis.
Virtue ethics: for christians: forgiveness, reform + rehabilitation.
Singapore severe penalties has decreased versions of particular crime.

Question 27

capital punishment

NML

Answer 27

W- worship God 
O- ordered society
R- reproduction
L- learn
D- defend life