Postmodernity Flashcards
significant critiques of representative positions of “classic modernity.” Two such modern ideas that are being abandoned are:
(1) A single, reasonable “normative ethical method” is required if one is to make reliable ethical decisions.
(2) Human reason is able to be a neutral, objective judge of truth.
argues that there is no reality behind the linguistic concepts we employ only social constructed concepts to determine truth
Nihilism
———argue that there is no truth
relativists
___________ or _______argues that all knowledge and ethical decisions require a radical faith commitment at some point, and ultimately this radical faith commitment cannot be justified (it is a “leap of faith”)
Coherentism or fideism
We may not have a single “normative ethical method”, but we can and should still argue for
particular ethical beliefs.
Some suggestions for making ethical decisions
- Pray for discernment from God.
- Gather the facts and determine the issues.
- What does scripture say? Do other rules or principles have a bearing on the issue (for example, natural law or civil law)?
- What consequences might follow from various alternative actions?
- What type of person do I want to become, and how does this decision affect that?
- What do others in the church, whom I respect, think?
- What does my conscience say?
- Discern your options and make a decision.