OCR A-Level Religious Studies
Religion and Ethics Topic Summary/Revision A3 Sheets
Each sheet contains a summary of the topic with strengths and weaknesses of each argument including other scholars views and quotes.
Based on the OCR H573 Specification
-Natural Law
-Situation Ethics
-Kantian...
Natural Moral Law: NML is an absolutist, Christian normative ethical theory which arguably is both How can we know NML?
deontological and teleological. It is founded by Aquinas in "Summa Theologica" which was highly influenced by 1. Through Revelation: Paul's Letter to the Romans-> asks
Aristotle. "these laws are written into their hearts and conscious", God's Law
What is NML? creation. God given ability to know right from wrong. God gave 2 la
Includes ethical theories that state there is a natural order in the world that should be followed. Natural order 2. Through Reason: a moral life is a life lived according to r
is determined by supernatural power. Originated in philosophy of ancient Greeks- Aristotle and then developed us that the ultimate telos of human life= fellowship with God. Aquin
by Aquinas. Absolute but not rooted in duty or externally imposed laws, but in human nature and in search of universe and moral law. Every individual has telos. Since moral law
our telos (purpose)-> happiness and fulfilment. Aquinas-> through reason we can discover our telos. Having the same since creation
discovered telos, we can then work out how to achieve it-> understanding God's plan for us built in our nature Real and Apparent Goods
and creation. Aquinas assumes human nature is essentially good. If all humans na
Origins of NML distinction between real and apparent goods: what is actually good
Stoics believed humans had divine spark within them to find out how to live according to the Will of God, to live good supposing it is really good e.g. Eating junk but not real good->
"in accordance with nature". Humans chose to obey laws that govern the universe but need to use reason to aren't. Real goods are in line with the human telos and bring human
understand and obey cosmic laws. Aquinas linked view of cosmic law with Aristotle's view that people have a Interior and Exterior Acts
specific purpose/function. Aristotle believed everything had a purpose and its supreme good (actuality) is With other deontological theories, intentions are important. Aquin
found when it fulfils its purpose. Eudaimonia is the purpose of humans meaning happiness but also flourishing are an ethical action. Actions are only morally good if both interior
and thriving. Aquinas uses these ideas to underpin NML. Aquinas believed our purpose was not "eudaimonia" should give glory to God. Give money to charity to make people like
but as we are made in imago dei, the supreme good is the development of this image. Fulfilment= drawing accordance with their telos, God is glorified.
closer/ fellowship with God. Becoming in his likeness- true happiness found in the afterlife. Doctrine of Double Effect
Thomas Aquinas: 1225-1254 Intention matters-> interior acts are about our motivation. An actio
Born in Sicily-13th century Italian Philosopher. Book: Summa Theologica. Theologian-> making explicit and neutral. Bad effect should not be the means by which the good effe
defending revelation of the creation of the world, salvation of world and future of the world-> contained in to exterior-> self-defence, intention to self-preserve (first PP) not k
Bible and Church teachings. Philosopher-> discovering what kind of place the world is and discover truth Proportionalism
through reason. Bernard Hoose. We live in a fallen sinful world and suggests the be
Aquinas' 4 Tiers of Law perfection. Do best we can, knowing our actions are not always righ
In Summa Theologica- attempts to work out what perfection actually is by examining the reflections of NML wrong but a proportionalist would allow it in certain circumstances
revealed by: Eternal, Divine, Natural and Human Law. carried out. Proportionalism is more compassionate and flexible th
• Eternal: principle by which God made and controls universe Strengths
• Divine: God's Will and Wisdom is given through the Bible and Church ✓ Certainty: absolutist system, source of clear values and moral c
• Natural: moral law built into human nature-> does not depend on reason but used to understand ✓ Universal: focus on reason allows it to transcend differences be
• Human: law created by humans coming from God ✓ Purpose: emphasis upon the purpose of humanity give people s
Aquinas' Basic Moral Law ✓ NML gives concrete reason to be moral and a firm basis from w
"Good is to be done and pursued... And evil is to be avoided"- Synderesis Rule and support for certain core ideas which are popular in modern
Synderesis Rule-> Good is very first thing understood by practical reason and all rational people will pursue another and for one to set standards to be morally superior tha
good as it is why we have been designed by God. Starting point of NML is synderesis rule- do good and avoid ✓ NML not as rigid as it appears. PP were unchangeable, SP may c
evil. This innate, God given tendency that all people pursue good and avoid evil, inclinations to do good-> ✓ Xn version of NML is seen as a way of combining faith with reas
subject to reason. ability to reason. Morality is arbitrary Will of God and respects
Reason Identifies 4 Cardinal Virtues ✓ NML appeals to many people's instinctive conviction that right
• Prudence: wise in practical affairs, discreet, careful in providing for the future convection. Ways in which very different societies comes to sam
• Fortitude: mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty the idea that it is part of human nature to recognise this law th
• Temperance: moderation and self-restraint in action childhood tell us right from wrong.
• Justice: quality of righteousness. Weaknesses
, Kantian Ethics: is an absolutist, rational, deontological, normative ethical theory which arguably is religious as it 3. 3rd Maxim: Kingdom of Ends-> act as a legisla
made of all people, all of whom are entitled to
postulates God. Immanuel Kant founded this theory as discussed in Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785). It is
everyone else has same human rights as them
a priori and empirically based.
law. "In the Kingdom of Ends everything has e
Immanuel Kant: 1724-1804
Kant's Examples: Deception: Do Not Deceive, Theft: D
Part of the "European Enlightenment" attempt to get beyond authority and superstition and deal with world on basis of
be lazy, Charity: Do not be selfish, Cruelty to Animals: D
human reason. Influenced by science and in assessment of empirical evidence. "Greatest thinkers of all time". Books:
have a duty to obey.
Groundwork of Metaphysics of Morals (1785), Practical Reason (1788) and Critique of Pure Reason (1781).
Duty Strengths
Term deontological derived from Greek word Deon meaning duty. Concerned with describing our moral duties-> intrinsic • Human Rights: Kant's theory provides basis for h
properties of actions being good or bad. Actions are either right or wrong-> consequences don't matter. Humans find an countries and is world's most translated docume
awareness of what ought to be done. Do what we ought to do. Ought implies can. We need to be free and autonomous • International Law: Kant's theory underpins most
finding moral law within. "Duty for duties sake". Duty is what makes the Good Will. Good-> duty to follow moral law within, killing of Thomas Youk, the judge limited evidenc
different from acting out of love/compassion. Absolute-> do duty because it is our duty to do so. Basis of Duty is the Youk or if Youk died, it’s the act that was import
Categorical Imperatives. • Equality and Justice provides foundation for mod
Moral Theory family, friends or nations. No nepotism. Rejects
1. Role of Reason: reason marks humans as different to animals. Our ability to reason and make moral decisions is what • Clear and Straightforward: based on reason thus
makes us human. Reasoning ONLY way to make moral decisions. Rejects Hume's emotion and compassion-> believes • Duty: fits with human experience. At first may se
side-track us to wrong moral decisions. Numenal World of Reason vs Phenomenal World of Experience and Senses. bad choices out of love. Acting out of duty alway
Reason is universal. may be good for us may not be for everyone else
2. Moral Law Within: comes from reason. This meant idea of moral obligation comes from within us and we experience • Autonomy: greatest respect for human dignity a
it as categorical imperative. Autonomy: make unbiased decisions with no influence from outside sources. True dependent on motive, consequence or religious
Religion. A priori, synthetic: moral statements are a priori synthetic. Knowable through reason, not experience, may Against UT.
be moral or immoral-> should reflect moral law, legal law reflects moral law. • Universal: holds universally, regardless of culture
3. Good Will: highest form of good as not concerned with self-interest or consequences. Innate human interest. "Good in another. Prevents cultural relativism.
Will shines forth like a precious jewel". Decisions guided by this, know what right action is. Summun Bonum: Weaknesses
"happiness crowned with virtue". Virtue rewarded by God in next world. Striving to ultimate good-> not achieved in ▪ Too abstract and not easily applied to modern si
our world but in the next therefore God exists. Duty: acceptable reason for Good Will into action is to maintain sense right thing in certain situation.
of duty. Good Will + Duty= a moral act leading to Summun Bonum. ▪ Alasdair MacIntyre: use universalizability to just
4. 3 Postulates of Morality: ▪ Confusing: confused over whether ethics are deo
a. Freedom- rational beings capable of knowing duty choose freely how to act. If expected to do duty, we must be basis of action. Yet Kant has a cleat inbuilt goal t
free to do so "ought implies can". Necessary to punish/praise. If follow moral law and duty humans achieve and SB
Summun Bonum. "Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration the starry skies above me ▪ Conflicting Assumptions: in favour of freedom an
and the moral law within me." in Categorical imperative and taxonomy of dutie
b. Immortality- achieve Summun Bonum after death. Perfect Virtue is rewarded with perfect happiness ▪ Sartre: conflicting duty- pupil torn between look
c. God- must exist to provide Summun Bonum. Enables us to be immortal French Forces. "I find myself drawn into a viciou
Categorical Imperative: contains no uncertainty or dependence on other factors. Universal principle that applies ▪ Too idealistic: is it possible to do your duty, with
▪ Vardy: putting duty above feeling is cold and inh
to all. Obligation to do. Hypothetical Imperative: reason for action is related to outcome. No obligation to obey
▪ Shouldn't ignore consequences of our actions, if
imperative unless wanting to achieve outcome e.g. "if you want to get into shape then you should exercise". Kant
▪ Too vague: not clear as to how CI should be appl
was searching for absolute moral rule therefore HT was useless as was not connected to morals and was
weeks. Contrary to the Will, as no rational perso
dependent on outcome. It is teleological, relative and has no obligation to obey thus Kant found CI which is ▪ Kant's view depends on some idea of God to exp
universal, absolute and have a duty to obey. ▪ Kant tells us in general terms to respect others a
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