RE- Ethics

Question 1

Absolutism

Answer 1

That things in life are always right or wrong

Question 2

Relativism

Answer 2

that there is no such thing as moral truth as we live in a changing world

Question 3

deontology

Answer 3

that we have a duty to always do the right thing even if we don’t want to

Question 4

the natural law

Answer 4

that goodness comes from God and that we can see goodness in the world

Question 5

2 quotes about natural law

Answer 5

Genesis 1: 31 ‘God looked at everything he had created, and he was very pleased. Evening passed and morning came that was the sixth day’.
Romans 2: 15 ‘The law of God is written on men’s hearts’

Question 6

5 precepts

Answer 6

WORSHIP
ORDER IN SOCIETY
REPRODUCTION
LEARNING
DEFENDING LIFE

Question 7

KANTIAN ETHICS

Answer 7

Kant argued that the ‘ends can never justify the means’. An evil action is ALWAYS an evil action. To Kant actions such as killing, stealing, lying and cheating can never be justified. Kant believed that ACTIONS are the only thing we can control.

Question 8

Person known for situation ethics

Answer 8

Joseph Fletcher

Question 9

the sanctity of life argument

Answer 9

Catholics believe that every human life is sacred
Every human being is made Imago Dei (in the image of God) meaning that every individual is loved by God.
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) states that all Catholics should promote the common good and human dignity.
Jesus said ‘whatever you do to the least of my people you do to me’ (Matthew 25: 40)

Question 10

Reason why death sentence is good

Answer 10

• It removes dangerous people from the world. This promotes the common good and makes us all safer.
• It acts as a deterrent stopping people from committing serious crimes because they don’t want to die.
• It provides justice for people who have been seriously wronged.

Question 11

Abortion

Answer 11

the deliberate termination of a pregnancy

Question 12

Quote for abortion

Answer 12

Catholics believe that life starts at conception… ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you’ (Jeremiah 1: 5).

Question 13

Arguments for abortion

Answer 13

It has been said that ‘an acorn is not the same thing as an oak tree’. A foetus is not the same thing as a person. Some argue that even if the foetus is a person, then abortion might still be the most loving thing to do. What about the rights of the mother to do whatever she wants with her own body? What about the quality of life that the baby will have? What about health implications for the mother and the baby?

Question 14

Arguments against abortion

Answer 14

A teenager and an adult are not the same thing, but a person is always a person! Why should your location, your appearance or your age affect whether you are a ‘person’ or not? All people have a right to do what they want with their bodies unless it causes harm to themselves or to others. Abortion is clearly an example of harm to others. Who are we to decide whether a person’s life is going to be worth living or not? Why should somebody else decide?

Question 15

Euthanasia

Answer 15

Euthanasia means ‘happy death.’ It is the process of ending a person’s life early in order to relieve them of pain and suffering. It is sometimes referred to as ‘mercy killing.’

Question 16

Example of situation ethics

Answer 16

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed in 1945. He was a German citizen who believed that the Nazi philosophy in Germany was deeply wrong. He used his position as a respected pastor and theologian to get close to Adolf Hitler and assassinate him. He believed this was the most loving thing to do. The assassination attempt failed, and Bonhoeffer was arrested for treason. He was hung at Flossenburg concentration camp.

Question 17

Utilitarianism

Answer 17

The belief that ethical decision making should bring about happiness for the majority.

Question 18

Person known for utilitarianism

Answer 18

Jeremy Bentham

Question 19

Arguments for euthanasia

Answer 19

Many terminally ill people in desperate situations believe that it should be their own decision to end their own life. They argue that they are the only ones who truly understand their pain. Some organisations such as ‘Dying with Dignity’ have argued that keeping a person in a state of pain is similar to torturing them.

Question 20

Arguments against euthanasia

Answer 20

Sanctity of Life argument
All life belongs to God. It is not for us to take it. ‘Thou shalt not kill.’
Medical Argument
It is not fair to put that level of responsibility onto doctors.
Psychological Argument
A person must be able to show that they are of ‘sound mind’ to make this type of judgement… The vulnerable are often not ‘Compos Mentis’.

Question 21

Arguments against death penalty

Answer 21

The death penalty goes against our most basic human right - the right to life
Being killed by lethal injection or being electrocuted is not always smooth and painless, sometimes it causes a painful death
Mistakes are sometimes made in the law - what if someone is killed who is actually innocent?