Study Of Religion

Question 1

Normative Ethics

Answer 1

Branch of ethics concerned with determining what is morally right or wrong, and what people should do
e.g. Lying is wrong

Question 2

Descriptive Ethics

Answer 2

The study of people’s actual behaviors and beliefs about morality

Question 3

Natural Law

Answer 3

Theory that moral principles are inherent in nature and can be understood through reason
E.g. ‘It is wrong to kill’ because it goes against the natural purpose of life

Question 4

Personal Ethics

Answer 4

The ethical principles that guide an individual’s personal behavior (Personal values)

Question 5

Social Ethics

Answer 5

The ethical principles that guide behavior within a society or group

Question 6

Deontological Ethics (duty)

Answer 6

Morality of an action is decided whether or not the action itself is wrong, according to a set of rules or criteria (moral rules/duties)
- not concerned with consequences

Question 7

Divine Command Theory

Answer 7

deontological approach to morality because it gives a set of rules by which an act can be deemed wrong or right
- ethical theory bound up with religious beliefs
(10 commandments)

Question 8

Teleological Ethics (sci knowledge)

Answer 8

Primarily concerned with the ends that are achieved by a certain action
- morally right = best possible outcome/maximise good

Question 9

Utilitarianism

Answer 9

Teleological ethics - an action determined by its utility to humans as a whole “the greatest good for the greatest number”

Question 10

Other teleological ethics

Answer 10

Egoism: Greatest good for yourself
Altruism: Greatest good for others
Evolutionary Ethics: best action for survival and growth of species
Despotism: Max accumulation of power
Pragmatism: best action that’s most practical to achieve satisfaction
Existentialism: best action for max freedom