Download Ethical Theories

Key Questions
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Are there any things which are always
wrong?
Should decisions be based on the situation?
Should religious people have high moral
standards?
Are they realistic?
What exactly is and isn’t “good”?
Can you have morality without religion and
religion without morality?
How are Religious and Moral
decision making related?
Here we need to look at two Key ideas
Autonomy
And
Heteronomy
What is meant by the claim that
moral values are autonomous?
• It means that moral values are independent of
religious belief.
• It contrasts with Heteronomy
• Highlights reason as the main source of morality.
• Describes reasons for the rejection of religion as the
source of Morality. (e.g. conscience, upbringing)
• Explains that both religious and non-religious people can
accept that moral values are autonomous
What is meant by the claim that
moral values are heteronomous?
• Morality is heteronomous if it depends on religious belief
or if it has been developed with reference to a set of values
provided by a religion
• Natural Law Theory – reason based on religious principles
• Society influenced by religious views and attitudes, these have
an unconscious effect, even on those who are not religious.
• Religious inspiration to give courage and conviction to put
what one understands as right into effect
• Heteronomous moral systems give greater guarantee of
conformity to moral rules (autonomous rely on
reasonableness and good-will)
• Ultimate authority for Christian morality (as for other
religions ) is God’s will.
Ethical Theories
The Euthyphro Dilemma
• Discussion between Socrates and
Euthyphro.
(Socrates -was an ancient Greek philosopher who is
widely credited for laying the foundation for Western
philosophy.)
(Euthyphro is one of Plato's known early
dialogues.Shortly before the Greek philosopher
Socrates is due to appear in court, he encounters a
young man, Euthyphro, who has gained the
reputation of being a religious expert.)
Euthyphro’s Position –
Whatever the God/s command is
obligatory just because they
command it – God/s commands
are absolute.
Socrates position
There is a standard of goodness
independent of the gods (God). The
God/s are no longer standard of
morality.
Questions
• Is a thing right because the Gods
command it?
• Do the Gods command it because it
is good?
Socrates -
God commands us to do good
because it is Good. Actions are
good in themselves.
c.f. Plato’s Form of the Good.
Euthyphro
A divine command theory
If God commands it then it is good.
1. God is always right
2. If God appears to be wrong, refer to point 1 above.
Theists position
Goodness intrinsic to God
Intelligent responses to Divine
Command theory
The Intelligent person cross checks commands, holy
books, traditions, teachers.
It goes beyond what they think God is telling them.
The Golden Rule
• Found in all religious traditions, and cited by many non
religious moral philosophers.
“So in everything, do to others what
you would have them do to you, for
this sums up the Law and the
Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12