Has the universe as a whole been designed with a telos Flashcards
INTRO - define
Telos - final end (purpose) what everything is working towards and trying to achieve
INTRO - define both sides of the debate
Absolutist deontological approach, which follows Gods law / Relativist would disagree and argue that morality needs to be relativised to each circumstance
Section one: AO1
INTENTION AND DESIGN?
Based on the Aristotelian theory that goodness is linked to telos (final purpose all contingent things are working towards) Fulfilling the human telos achieves eudaimonia (flourishing); for humans, that is a life of reason with virtue, where humans use their practical wisdom (phronesis) to discern good.
Aquinas developed this and believed that eudaimonia can be achieved in community (polis) but can only be achieved after death with God (beatific vision)
Section one: AO2 FOR
INTENTION AND DESIGN?
Why would God create humans with the propensity for practical wisdom (phronesis) and reason if did not intend for humans to reach Eudaimonia and the Beatific vision
Section one: AO2 AGAINST
INTENTION AND DESIGN?
1) Not every action ends in causing us to flourish as human beings. There’s good sex and bad sex (even if the end is babies; sex can be exploitative, or violent or selfish)
-NML not helpful as bases teachings off of a higher good all humans are working towards when there is no moral good and humans are just intrinsically selfish
2) Cyclical argument: what is the good? The good is what people pursue. What do people pursue? People pursue the good.
- Does not fully explain what good is and how to achieve it only that good is something that we are all pursuing. Not helpful as people don’t know what the good is so how can they apply it to moral dilemmas.
Section one: AO2 CONCLUSION
INTENTION AND DESIGN?
Weaknesses overcome the strengths. Although the idea of humans having practical wisdom and reason points to some higher power and purpose the idea of Eudaimonia and good is not fully explained. This is not helpful in moral judgement as if people don’t know what the good is how can they apply it to moral dilemmas and reach Eudaimonia?
Section 2: AO1
4 TIERS OF LAW
4 Tiers of Law: Eternal, Divine, Natural, Human
Section 2: AO2 FOR
4 TIERS OF LAW
Romans “The Law is written on our hearts”
=We hold ourselves accountable for our actions and feel guilt as we know that this contradicts Gods eternal law
- Suggests that everything is working towards a higher purpose
Section 2: AO2 AGAINST
4 TIERS OF LAW
Barth/ Nieblur humans “fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and born into sin. Always tempted to do evil “For I do not know why I do bad when I do good” so won’t be able to discern the good and Gods eternal law
-Suggests that if humans did have a purpose it would not be reflected in NML and our propensity to reason as humans are flawed
Undermines Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross
Section 2: AO2 CONCLUSION
4 TIERS OF LAW
NML recognises the sovereignty of God’s eternal law and this is strengthened by his law being seen universally within all human societies, which suggests that all humans are working towards a higher purpose. However, this suggests that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was unneeded and it is a contradiction if humans can interpret God’s eternal law for themselves and not need Jesus
Section 3: A01
SYNDERESIS / PP
Main principle that humans tend to do good and avoid evil and this is where all the other rules flow
primary precepts from God: 1. preservation 2. reproduction 3. education 4. worship 5. Order
using the virtue of practical wisdom (phronesis) can apply the primary precepts to different situations.
Secondary Precepts = derived from the primary precepts through ‘proximate convulsions of reason’
Section 3: A02 FOR
SYNDERESIS / PP
Universality of these ideas in different societies suggest that these conclusions are reflected in God’s sternal law, which we have accessed through reason
Nuremburg Trials
Prosecution had to rely on Natural Law theory as most of the actions of the defendants were recognized as being legal under the judicial system of the Third Reich
Section 3: A02 AGAINST
SYNDERESIS / PP
Catholic Church condemns contraception as goes against the Primary precept of the Preservation of life and against the purpose( or telos) of the sexual facility
Does not allow people to be fully rational and decide what to do with their bodies. Seems unethical to take away human autonomy
Feminists: NML has reinforced gender roles and subjected women to male domination under the argument that nature predetermines gender roles (primary precept of Reproduction)
Idea of purpose has been used immorally throughout history. Some such as Marx would argue idea of purpose has only been used to reinforce gender role
Section 3: CONCLUSION
SYNDERESIS / PP
Whilst in some situations such as the Nuremberg trials NML has been helpful = completely judicial approach without human reason could justify immoral acts i.e. mass genocide of the Jews and suggests that humans have been created with reason for a purpose. However NML not helpful as has also used to justify gender inequality and does not recognise how humans are inherently flawed and using reason to help with decision making will thus lead to immoral outcomes.
