Download Introduction to Religion REL 2000 Winter III 2009 Fridays 8:30am

INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION
REL 2000
OCTOBER 30, 2009
VALERIE J. JOHNSEN
Introduction to Religion
Values and Morals

Values
 Values
are the rules by which we make decisions about what is
good and bad.
 Principles,
standards, or qualities considered worthwhile or
desirable
 They
tell us which are more or less important, which is useful
when we have to trade off meeting one value over another.

Morals
 principles
or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct.
What is Ethics?

1. a system of moral principles: the ethics of a culture.
2. the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular
class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc.:
medical ethics; Christian ethics.

3. moral principles, as of an individual: His ethics forbade
betrayal of a confidence.

4.that branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to
human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness
of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the
motives and ends of such actions.

Philosophical Ethics – 3 Principal Traditions

Deontological Ethics



Necessary, obligatory, and unconditional, irrespective of conditions or consequences.
Teleological Ethics

Focuses on the consequences of actions for the greatest good for the greatest
number.

The foundation of the philosophy of Utilitarianism.

Utilitarian ethics calls for moral behavior by individuals and communities that
contribute most effectively to the greatest overall happiness for the greatest number
of persons
Virtue Ethics

Considers what makes up a virtuous life

Based on virtues such as generosity, truthfulness, and justice. Virtuous actions derive from
virtuous motives.

Based in the individual, they are important for the community as well

Looks to emulate the kind of person who is considered good
ACTIVITY



The recession has spiraled into a full-blown depression. 45%
of the population is unemployed – including you. The value
of our currency is falling rapidly. Inflation is at an all-time
high. All social services have broken down.
You are the sole provider for 3 small children. Your stores of
food are nearly depleted. The children are hungry all the
time and you do not know how to feed them – bread is $12
per loaf.
You are walking down the street one day and see a
merchant with a cart load of bread he is taking into his
store. He has stopped to argue with a customer. He and the
customer have their backs turned from the cart. It seems that
no one would notice one loaf missing – What do you do and
Why?
Religious Ethics V. Secular Ethics

Secular Ethics

Religious Ethics
Sources for Sacred Authority

Cosmic or Natural Law (Dharma, Tao)

Moral Exemplar or Prophet (Buddha, Jesus,
Mohammed)

Divine Command
Ethical Implications of Divine Command
The regulations, obligations, and actions dictated
by this sacred authority may require outward or
inward response

Failure to fulfill the obligations carry a variety of
consequences


Kierkegaard's response to Abraham's sacrifice
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development

Level 1 (Pre-Conventional)

1. Obedience and punishment orientation
(How can I avoid punishment?)

2. Self-interest orientation
(What's in it for me?)

Level 2 (Conventional)

3. Interpersonal accord and conformity
(Social norms)
(The good boy/good girl attitude)

4. Authority and social-order maintaining orientation
(Law and order morality)

Level 3 (Post-Conventional)

5. Social contract orientation

6. Universal ethical principles
(Principled conscience)
Types of Religious Communities

Natural Religious Communities
 Based
on Kinship, Race, Nationality, and/or Geography
 Two examples
 Nationalistic
religions
 The secret society
Types of Religious Communities

Voluntary Religious Communities
 Founded
Religions
 Denominations
 Sect type
 Cult
Protest and Reform

Protest and reform from within

Protest leading to secession