Week One: Ethical Models

Question 1

Deontology

Answer 1

the theory of duty or obligation

Question 2

Teleology

Answer 2

stresses the end or result

Question 3

Fletcher’s three models of ethics

Answer 3

Legalism
Antinomianism
Situation Ethics

Question 4

Larson’s 4 Categories

Answer 4

Authority
Deontology
Teleology
Responsibility

Question 5

Authority model

Answer 5

A person makes decision based on the command of an authority.
The rightness or wrongness of the action depends on the command of the superior.

Question 6

Weaknesses of authority model (4)

Answer 6

Authority could be wrong
Could give poor advice (something is “right” at the wrong time or wrong setting)
Defer thinking to others instead of making moral decisions for oneself.
It is arbitrary

Question 7

Strengths of authority model (2)

Answer 7

One benefits from experienced persons
Saves time in making crisis decisions (make a decision fast when you have no time to think over the pros and the cons)

Question 8

Deontology model

Answer 8

What is ones duty/obligation (don’t think about right or wrong, just duty)
Concern is not for whether the outcome is good or bad (always right to follow the law and one’s duty)

Question 9

Two shades of deontology

Answer 9

Absolutists: It is never right to lie, even if an innocent life is at stake
Hierarchical: Telling the truth is good, but not at the expense of sacrificing a life. Evil is not immoral if it is for a greater purpose. Puts what is right on a hierarchy.

Question 10

Deontology weaknesses (2)

Answer 10

Because it is legalist it can be inflexible and uncompromising.
In the hierarchical model, how can one be certain which norm is higher?

Question 11

Deontology strength (1)

Answer 11

recognizes that there are basic norms

Question 12

Teleology model

Answer 12

A person makes a decision based on the consequences
It is pragmatic and stresses the end result – will it be positive or negative? (Positive = do it, Negative = do not do it)

Question 13

Two shades of teleology model

Answer 13

Antinomianism
Situation ethics

Question 14

antinomianism

Answer 14

Decisions are made based on the existing situation without reference to any laws, codes, or set principles.

Standard of value: hedonistic/nonhedonistic

Whose interest is primary: egoistic/universalistic

Question 15

situation ethics

Answer 15

there is one absolute law/principle = love
This means doing what will produce the greatest good for the greatest number (utilitarianism).
Fletchers concern is the quality of life. Based on LOVE and UTILITARIANISM (the greatest good for the greatest number of people). (Love is the ultimate norm, not the Bible in Fletchers model)

“The situationist follows a moral law or violates it according to loves need” (You can break a rule or commandment for the sake of love, if you need to break it for the sake of love)

Question 16

teleology weaknesses (4)

Answer 16

How does one know the end result?
The end cannot justify the means if you don’t know the end!
How does one determine a standard of value (Hedonistic or non-hedonistic)
How do you determine whose interest is primary ?
For Christian Ethics, it doesn’t use Scripture as a norm

Question 17

teleology strength

Answer 17

It is flexible and takes into consideration that each situation is different

Question 18

Responsibility model

Answer 18

What is most responsible/redemptive (the basis of this model is what’s redemptive. The whole bible is about redemption, everything Jesus did was about redemption)
The question is: How can we be sure what is the fitting response? How can I be sure this is the most responsible, redemptive response.
Those who take the Bible seriously answer that the Bible gives guidelines which help the Chrisitan in making that fitting response.

Question 19

responsibility model weakness

Answer 19

It does not spell out the detail of a particular response. You not know what is right or wrong in every situation.

Question 20

responsibility model strength

Answer 20

It is flexible while taking the Biblical story seriously. God works at different times in different ways

Question 21

What are the four factors brought into consideration when making a choice?

Answer 21

What are the facts?
Are my actions and motives just?
What is the most good for all involved?
Am I following the paradigm of Gods graciousness and love? (I don’t care about this one because God is not real)