Theft And Lying Flashcards
NML and lying
Always wrong
Goes against our god given reason
Against primary precept of ordered society - creates disorders Soc e.g. adultery
Honesty is an important virtue needed for virtuous Soc. to thrive, breaks cardinal virtue of practical wisdom, courage and justice
Can deviate from the truth - exceptions
Axe murderer eg
SE and lying
Lying acceptable if most loving thing to do e.g. not hurt someone’s feelings, save a life (axe murderer)
VE and lying
‘ the good for man is activity of the soul in accordance with virtue’
Not absolutist, character based with teleological aspects
Agent should evaluate each situation using best ability, use knowledge,exp. And judgement
Overarching goal is to be virtuous person
Lying not a virtue but honesty is so if lying becomes habitual then could lead to disorder and character being questioned
Over honest to point its harmful is not good
Difficult when virtuous person lies for another virtue e.g. compassion - solution is to think what an ideal person would do.
Corrie ten boom
Received the ‘righteous among the nations’ award from state of Israel
Hid Jews during WWII in family home in Netherlands, motivation was religious - equality of all humans before God
NML and theft
General problems is dishonesty and disordered society
Breaks commandment ‘ do not steal’ theft goes against morals in virtuous society and goes against worship God as goes against one of Ten Commandments
Can stela to save a life - doctrine of double effect - inconsistent view, can steal to save a life but not lie, breaks every deontological precept
Proportionalism: breaks precepts wrong unless proportionate to do so
VE and theft
Emphasises experience and reason
‘When it comes to Acton’s, adultery, theft and murder’ no good can come - baseless actions
Modern approach may make it acceptable if compassionate
Ari. May talk about theft with malicious intent
SE and theft
Depends on situation e.g student cannot afford book so steals and returns it after exam
Motive is to pass test
But not justifies as ignores ‘end’ of all action
Love and justice distributed - may be unfair to student who didn’t have book - action is self motivated
