RELG 2650 Exam Questions With Complete Solutions
Ethics
Sustained and intentional reflection on morality and the moral life with analysis, discernment, reasoning, and argument. The process of evaluation on human morality. The Moral Event.
Morality
The dimension of human experience and hum...
Ethics
Sustained and intentional reflection on morality and the moral life with analysis,
discernment, reasoning, and argument. The process of evaluation on human morality.
The Moral Event.
Morality
The dimension of human experience and human meaning that deals with our beliefs,
sensibilities, decisions, patterns of living concerning what is RIGHT and what is
WRONG. Thinking about the human good. Measure of "shouldness"" what SHOULD
people do?
Ethical Emphases
- Moral Norms= "deonotological", focuses on universal impartial rules and
responsibilities of moral conduct (actions make something right/wrong)
-Moral Actor= "virtue", regards the character of the person making a decision, virtue of
their decision (coward/brave), and moral formation surrounding decision
-Moral Outcomes= "consequential", concerned with effects of moral decision, maximum
positive effects determine good/wrong of actions
Bioethics
The study of moral and ethical questions in the medicine/healthcare field. Evaluates
ethical implications, moral subjects, moral dilemmas. Ties back to our fundamental
beliefs. Emerged in 1960s with advances in medicine/technology. Shaped by its history.
Multi-disciplinary: philosophy, medicine, theology, law, etc. It is controversial.
Utilitarianism
,A theory associated with Jeremy Bentham that is based upon the principle of "the
greatest happiness for the greatest number". The fundamental moral good is
maximizing "utility" through ethical decisions. Cost benefit analysis. Ex. Weighing
resources and risks of treatment. Allocating finite resources.
Downfalls of Utilitarianism
1. no independent weight to individual rights, autonomy, justification
2. difficulty of anticipating all outcomes and preventing negative outcomes
3. overly demanding (does not differentiate moral minimums from supererogatory)
4. do we not want to consider motive??
5. end means problematic
6. absence of sacrifice, altruism
Deontological
Formed by Kant. Ethical theory based on duty and obligation. Focuses on the moral
norm/nature of action. Inspired by Enlightenment rationalism and autonomy. Absolute
rule derived from ostensibly universal principles of reason, done out of sense of duty.
ex: must always believe that lying is wrong: Kant believed he could logically derive
absolute rules against killing the innocent, lying, committing suicide, and failing to
rescue others, II- people cannot solely be a means; they must always be an ends
Categorical Imperative
A concept developed by the philosopher Immanuel Kant as an ethical guideline for
behavior. In deciding whether an action is right or wrong, or desirable or undesirable, a
person should evaluate the action in terms of what would happen if everybody else in
the same situation, or category, acted the same way (under universal law and
importance of human relationship).
Natural Law
A form of deontology and a doctrine that society should be governed by certain ethical
principles that are part of nature (God embedded moral order into structure of creation)
and, as such, can be understood by reason. Influential in the Roman/Catholic tradition.
Nature is teleoogical (it has a purpose/meaning). This theory overrides considerations of
utility, personal preference, and culturally specific laws. Supplies basic moral principles
, that can be applied to various situations.Right action conform to the moral standards in
nature, general moral norms, Roman Catholics
Rights Theory
An ethical theory that identifies a hierarchy of rights that should be considered in solving
ethical dilemmas. Derived from modern democratic thinking. Emphasizes that besides
duties, consequences, and virtue, it is important to recognize positive "rights" that
persons bear since it is essential for ethics. Person who holds a right is allowed for
justified claim (+) or recognizable claim to be free from someone(-). Unethical for an
entity to override anyone's rights, even if there is moral justification on the basis of utility
and duty.
Casuistry/Ethical Pragmatism
Too many problems emerge when trying to apply "abstract" rules/theories, therefore
causitry focuses on the details of specific cases that arise with intuition of moral
problem. Pays attention to the DETAILS of a particular circumstance (the moral event),
this helps us feel more confident about judgments in that situation. Analyzes cases and
then analogical reasoning from "pragmatic cases" (cases that seem morally clear) as a
source of comparison and guidance.
Divine Command
What is moral is relative to God, there are no universal moral principles that are binding
on all people, morality is dependent on God's will and may differ from person to person
or from religion to religion. God's will!
Revelation
In this beginning of forming a special relationship with God of a particular figure with
particular people that God communicates his will and understanding for the good human
life, how to flourish in both vertical relationship with God, and horizontal relationship with
one another, and how God gives this as a GIFT to people. Used in Protestant bioethics,
scripture alone- have to look at Bible, contains, essentials of the moral life mediated
through scriptures and heritage of church, depositum fidei, God communicates his will
for good human life, God gives this as a gift to his people
Covenant
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