First test Flashcards
What is deontological?
ethical approaches based on rules and duties, for example – Never tell lies/always tell the truth.
With this kind of ethical approach, breaking the rule is wrong regardless of the outcome.
What is teleological?
ethical approaches based on fulfilling a particular purpose
What do we call knowledge about God that has been revealed by God?
Divine Revelation
What do we call the academic process whereby humans work out knowledge about God?
Natural Theology
Name some categories of the hedonic calculator
Intensity, duration, certainty,Propinquity/Remoteness, Fecundity/Production, Purity, Extent
What is summun bonum?
The only thing that can be intrinsically good is being perfectly rational
3 forms of categorical imperatives
“Act only according to that maxim whereby you can will that it should become a universal law.”
Do not treat humans as means to an end, but as ends in themselves.
…every rational being must so act as if he were through his maxim always a legislating member in the universal kingdom of
ends.”
Differences between Kantian decision
making and religious decision making:
Kant did not simply justify the existence of the God of Classical Theism – Jesus is not necessarily the son of God, and God himself is explained through rational principles, not seen as an ineffable mystery as many Christians would argue He is.
Kant is known for criticising arguments for God such as Anselm’s Ontological Argument.
Kant’s focus on being perfectly rational is not the same as Classical Theism’s focus on following God’s laws (DCT/NML) or following the example of Jesus to show agape love (SE).
SE would be seen as being too emotional and irrational due to its teleological nature and focus on love.
Similarities between Kantian decision making and religious decision making
According to Kant, the most compelling historical modal of moral behavior is Jesus of Nazareth, for he is said to have resisted all temptations – this is like SE that sees Jesus as a role model.
Kant thinks the best way to promote ethical laws is through the “church invisible.” The invisible church is universal; it applies equally to everyone – showing that he is pro religious structures and authorities.
Kant says that it is not necessary to believe that Jesus was the son of God, but it is important to believe in the possibility that Jesus actually attained moral perfection – sees Jesus as a moral teacher.
Kant argued that God did exist as a perfectly rational being.
Kant provides a deontological framework that is not dissimilar to DCT/NML.
Kant did not simply justify the existence of the God of Classical Theism – Jesus is not necessarily the son of God, and God himself is explained through rational principles, not seen as an ineffable mystery as many Christians would argue He is.
Kant is known for criticising arguments for God such as Anselm’s Ontological Argument.
Kant’s focus on being perfectly rational is not the same as Classical Theism’s focus on following God’s laws (DCT/NML) or following the example of Jesus to show agape love (SE).
SE would be seen as being too
emotional and irrational due to its
teleological nature and focus on love.
How Utilitarian’s make decisions:
How religious people make decisions:
Consider the “Principle of Utility”.
Consult the Hedonic Calculus.
Reflect on their own experiences and the experiences that history has
taught us to help them understand the possible consequences of their
actions.
Use their ability to reason.
Weigh up what the best option is and choose that outcome
Consider religious guidelines, e.g. Scripture, Traditional Laws (such as those
contained in the Bible) DCT.
Pray for guidance.
Reflect on their own experiences and the experiences of others from history
and within their religion.
Use their ability to reason (NML), follow primary and secondary precepts.
Consider the agapeic action (SE).
Follow the religious law because it is their duty.
Sources of authority used in religious decision making (to be compared with Kant/Bentham):
Scripture – e.g. the Bible – which contains both deontological rules and illustrative stories of religious
role models to influence morality (e.g. narratives of the life of Jesus).
Church/religious
