Download L/O: To understand the coursework task. To understand different

L/O:
To understand different types of
moral decision making.
Ethical/ Moral Issues
• A moral issue is a belief about whether an
action is right or wrong, in the sense of it
being good or bad.
What are the different ways of making
a moral decision?
• Deontologist believe that there are set rules for
living, which may never be broken. These are
principles.
(Eg. Murder is wrong – based on religious belief
that only God has the right to take away life).
• Teleologists (or consequentialists) look to the
outcomes of their actions to help them decide
what is right.
(Eg. Murdering Hitler would be acceptable because
of the lives saved in doing so).
Would the below statements have
come from a Deontologist or
Teleologist?
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Murder is wrong. This is one of the 10 Commandments.
In the Bible it says that life is sacred.
Murder can be justified.
All actions should have loving, caring outcomes.
Only God can give or take life.
Religious and societal rules show us the best way to live and should
be followed.
• A women should be allowed an abortion in some circumstances.
• Human beings should be control of their lives in making decisions.
• Jesus said to do the most loving thing – this should guide us in
making moral decisions.
Understanding and Analysis Questions
1. Which approach to reaching a moral decision
would an atheist be more likely to adopt? Explain
you reasoning.
2. “Religious people always follow rules in order to
make moral decision.” Is this correct? Explain
your answer.
3. Which approach to decision making do you think
is best? Explain your answer.
Deontological Approach
Advantages
Disadvantages
Teleological Approach
Advantages
Disadvantages
How has moral decision making
changed over the last 200 years?
- Increasing influence of the mass media means
that there are more people and organisations
influencing us.
- We are more aware of different values.
- Organised religion does not have as much
influence over people.
- Advances in science bring up new moral
questions and increasingly require
internationally agreed decisions.