Good and Evil Flashcards
What is morality ?
Where does it come from
Principles and standards determining which actions are right and wrong
At first we learn from the people who bring us up but as we grow up we gain more influences.
What is socialisation?
The way we learn about the correct way to behave in our own society; the habits, norms and manners of society
What is conscience?
How does it relate to guilt?
An inner guide to whats right and wrong
Many people experience strong feelings drawing them towards certain actions or guilt when they did not follow their conscience
Muslim and Christian views on conscience
Muslims believe that Allah has given each of us a conscience or an sense of balance to guide us towards what is right, even when we do not have acess to the messgae of the quran
Christians believe that consciene is the voice of God in their mind, orin relelation of the Holy spirit
Some Athesis would say our sense of conscience is a result of socialisation
What does virtues mean?
Give examples
Qualities that you think are good and moral
Truthness, generosity, pride and self control
Who is Aristotle?
A Greek philosopher who said that law or religion were not always the best guides to morality
Instead we should try and show certain virtues or characteristics (for example, courage generosity, pride and self control)
Explain the idea of gloden mean?
Virtues were always the middle way, balanced perfectly between two mistakes or excesses
For example, generosity is a virtue but give too much and you won’t have enough for yourself but give too less and look foolish
Aristotle said to be virtuous you should always follow the golden mean
What is crime
A crime is anything against the law that the goverment has made
Causes of crime
Mental health or addiction
No non-violent or positive role models
Due to proverty or lack of education
Parents not strick enough
Genes
Put off - Deterrence
Deterrence is the action of discouraging an action
To put someone off doing the same thing again, or to put another person off doing it
For example public executions
Protection
If someone will harm others, their freedom needs to be taken away to protect other people and maintain a free and fair society
For example murderer
Pay back - retribution
Retribution - punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong o
Some people say the criminal should suffer the same way they have made others suffer
This is revenge and many people would say retribution is justice
Put right - reformation
To give the person a chance to change and ‘fix’ the causes of their crime
Involves space and time and things like therapy
What is a prison reformer?
People who want conditions to improve in prisons such as Elizabeth fry
Elizabeth fry, Quaker prison reformer
Was a prison reformer who volunteered in Newgate prison when the conditions were harsh and dangerous. She belived that people were put into prison due to inequality such as a provertyor lack of education.
Changes Elizabeth Fry made
She gave prisoners clean clothes to wear ofor dignity
She gave prisoners freash food to keep healthy
Ran Bible studies as she believed this would teach forgivness
She educated the prisoners like taught the children to read so they can acess information
Prison Chaplains
What they did
A chaplain is a religous minister (imaan or priest)
- They are avalible to pray with prisoners if requested
- They advise prison staff on religious needs like how to help prisoners in ramadan (eat at right times)
- They listen to prisoners as someone who is outside of the criminal justice system to talk for support
- They lead religious religous services and prayers like new or renewed faith can help carry them through difficult prison life guide the to morality
Christianity views on Punishment
Talk about forgiveness
Forgivness is very important (Jesus said you should forgive someone 70x7 who has sinned against them)
All who have sinned need forgiveness to allow us to be close to God (atonement)
Therefor, punishment should focus rehabilitation and reformation to help criminals to understand their mistakes and avoid them in the future
Many people think forgivness and punishment are both needed but people should not punish for revenge but to help maintain justice in society
Christianity views on Justice
Bible says “God loves justice”
Some christians might think justice is only possible when revenge or retribution is achived
“an eye far an eye and a tooth for a tooth”
Meaning that it is just to pay back violence with violence
Islamic views on Justice
Justice is very important to muslims (One of Allahs 99 names The just)
However, muslims believe that Khalifas are meant to maintain a just society and are responsible
Such as Prophet Muhammed used his wisdom to discern when to use punishment and when to forgive
What is absolute and relative morality?
Absolute morality is when a person has a principle such as “it is wrong to kill” and they apply this to all situations no matter what context it is
Relative morality is where a person has moral principles but is prepared to adjust it in certain situations
