Ethics test 3

Do you believe in God? Currently-89%Belief in God by demographic categories-What are the differences among groups based on age, geography, educational level, or political affiliation?Younger Americans (18-29)=84% Eastern U.S.=84%South=92%Post-graduate education=77%Liberal=86%

American Belief in God

Old Testament: History of the Jewish people-Creator-God-Life and morality come from GodAbraham: Covenant with GodThree major world religions: 2/3 of world's population trace roots to AbrahamJudaism: IsaacIslam: IshmaelChristianity-Christ through line of Isaac-Moses/Ten Commandments: basis of many of our ethical beliefs and laws-Faith in and Obedience to God indicate RIGHT or ethical living.

Ancient Hebrew Culture

A philosopher of the Classical Period, this pupil of Greek philosophy believed that reaching one's full potential through the development of virtues was the key to a moral life.

Aristotle

Student of Plato; believed that the life of virtue was the ethical life

Aristotle

The trend was toward a comprehensible God who could be understood, reasoned and even scientifically modeled.-In the extreme, God became more a theory than a person.

As a result of the ideas of early modern era philosophers:

A set of laws governing conduct is built into nature.These laws are universally known by reason apart from revelation. While natural law ethicists think biblical revelation of moral norms is important, they hold that even without that revelation everyone can know by reason alone the basic principles of right and wrong. Consequently, one need not be a Christian or theist to know the moral law. Since human nature and the natural order do not change, whatever ethical norms are derivable from nature do not change from time to time and place to place.

Basic assumptions of Natural Law Theory

The scientific community was looking for an explanation for life other than God. -Darwin gave them their God substitute: Natural selectionDarwin's own search was not solely scientific: He saw "cruelties in nature" that he could not reconcile with a loving God.

CHARLES DARWIN

If there are no moral absolutes---no agreement upon right/wrong—

Chaos

What would the world be like if there were noPhysical absolutes

Chaotic

All Greek philosophers emphasize the LIFE OF REASON as a means to understanding ethics and living morally.Ethical emphasis was the DUTY of the individual as a citizen of the city state.Ethics =spiritual counterpart to medicineThe function of ethics=to provide care of the SOUL

Classical Era

Socrates, Aristotle and Plato were key philosophers during this era.

Classical Period

The moral focus was on the duty of the individual as a citizen and the function of ethics was to provide care for the soul.

Classical Period

1. there was a general turning away from organized religion especially the Roman Catholic Church with less emphasis on literal interpretation of the Bible.2. there was an emergence of a secular public culture that challenged authority previously held by the Roman Catholic Church and state leaders.3. it provided the philosophical foundations for the American Revolution for leaders such as Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson

Conclusions about the enlightenment

Roman Ruler-He converted to Christianity and persecution of Christians decline under his rule.

Constantine

Goes from a general theory to the particular experiments

DEDUCTIVE METHOD

The ideas of Bacon and Descartes led to the development of the scientific method, a set of simple steps that can be easily followed to solve even the most complex of scientific problems.-These ideas spread resulting in the Scientific Revolution.-The Scientific Revolution challenged established ways of thinking replacing faith with science and reason.

DESCARTES and BACON

His theory of evolution changed our view of our origin and redefined "purpose" and "meaning" His view that we are driven by the need to procreate and transmit our genes to the next generation changed our view of morality to "do what you have to."

Darwin

The title: "Origin of Species" mistakenly indicated that the theory of evolution could explain how life arose from natural processes.Darwin himself said: "Science as yet throws NO LIGHT on the far HIGHER problem of the essence of ORIGIN OF LIFE."**

Darwin's book title: "Origin of Species"

DNA drives all life and its processes-Natural selection is the process through which evolution occurs; also sometimes called "survival of the fittest"- His ideas redefined the PURPOSE and MEANING of life.

Darwin's conclusions & Impact on ethics

French philosopher who believed that SELF KNOWLEDGE is the basis of ALL KNOWLEDGE; God as the revealer of truth is "pushed from center" and "WHAT I THINK" replaces TRUTH by REVELATION from a higher source; his most famous quote: "I think; therefore, I am."

Descartes

The measure of "right" is whatever "feels right."(EMOTIVISM)-Believed we are born GOOD -We are all "noble savages" (an idealized form of human uncorrupted by civilization) -Man must immerse himself in a "back to nature" movement**

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Diametrically opposed to Hobbes' pessimistic view -Believed that all people have natural rights including life, liberty and property.-Saw America as a vast Enlightenment laboratoryBelieved we are born: "TABULA RASA"---blank slate-EXPERIENCE is the source of all knowledge and understanding.-Argued that pleasure is the standard of moral judgment. (EMOTIVISM)

John Locke

believed all people have "natural rights:" these include life, liberty and property

John Locke

Marx proposed the law of evolution in human HISTORY.-Influenced by the French Revolution and in particular the ideas of Rousseau"All of history can be viewed as a series of conflicts resulting from competition over scarce resources."Two classes of people: the rich & the poor (bourgeoisie & proletariat)

KARL MARX

An English philosopher who believed that PERSONAL EXPERIENCE is the basis of life and reality; prosed the idea or concept of "tabula rasa." Man becomes the "center " of his own universe His ideas of "rule by the people for the people" in his treatise—The Social Contract" was influential in the creation of the U. S. Constitution.

Locke

A German monk who challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church; posted 95 theses or arguments against the "sale of indulgences"

Martin Luther

Rise and spread of Christianity supported the model of moral absolutism; built on the birth, life and teachings of Jesus; great impact on ethical thinking in Western Civilization for centuries

Medieval Era of Ethics

Its intellectual and social context was Christianity with its emphasis on the individual's obligations to God as set forth in the Bible and interpreted by the "church."

Medieval Period

St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas were important figures during this period.

Medieval Period

A time of corruption in the Roman Catholic Church in which the sale of indulgences had become a common practice; Martin Luther posted his 95 theses in protest of the practice which was the start of the Protestant Reformation

Middle Ages

Moral context and social climate are characterized by intellectual and social upheaval.-Paradigm Shift begins. -New paradigm of ethics is moral relativism.

Modern Era:

During this era, scripture became available to common man and introduced the idea of each person interpreting the Bible for him/her self. Later, scientific discoveries shifted the focus of morality from the Bible to science.

Modern Period

time period for this era was 1500 to the present

Modern Period

Assumes there is a definable & knowable truth.Assumes there are moral principles (absolutes) that apply to all people in similar circumstances.Assumes moral principles are OBJECTIVE

Moral Absolutism

Moral Relativism is based on a type of thinking called the DIALECT.Which is An IDEA and its COUNTER IDEA are synthesized (combined) to form a NEW IDEA

Moral Relativism LOGIC

There is NO OBJECTIVE truth.There are NO absolute moral principles.Right and wrong are SUBJECTIVE or (open to interpretation) .Each person defines right and wrong according to his/her own desires a term, thing, or concept that is dependent on something else

Moral Relativism's Assumptions

There are BOTH physical laws & moral laws & God is the author of BOTH-These laws are built into Nature-They can be universally known by reason apart from revelation -Taught that we are NOW to pursue the goodness of God, our well-being (telos) -We do this through a virtuous life and the law found in Scripture & nature.

Natural Law Theory

Believed that religion and morality were only for the weak who used it as a crutch; led the "death of God" movement

Nietzsche

A state of meaninglessness and chaos out of which, according to Nietzsche, a 'superman' would arise who would be above any morality

Nihilism

A paradigm is a standard, pattern or model; a framework for understanding something : a system of beliefs.

PARADIGM

A change from ONE WAY of thinking to another; a change in thinking which occurred as we moved from the beliefs of moral absolutism to those of moral relativism

Paradigm Shift

Pupil of SocratesWrote Socrates' teachings in "The Republic"Ethics was grounded in the nature of external reality ----"perfect" standard existed in the "realm of forms" a world beyond our senses.Believed the perfect society would be ruled by "philosopher kings"

Plato

Student of Socrates; believed the "world of ideas" or Realm of Forms was the highest "good"and where reality is.

Plato

This philosopher believed in a more extreme view of maintaining a proper ethical perspective and believed in the denial of bodily pleasures.

Plato

Laws of evolution apply to social structures and lifeSocial structure is engineered and controlled by impersonal forces rather than by God

Social Darwinism:

Dominant figure of the classical era of ethics; most famous for his method of teaching which was to ask questions; most famous quote: The unexamined life is not worth living

Socrates

Happiest and best life is the LIFE OF REASON"The un-examined life is not worth living."In vented the Socratic Method

Socrates

The dominant figure in the Classical Period, this philosopher believed it was possible to develop a universal set of ethical standards to guide conduct. The key to doing so, he believed, was human reason. "The unexamined life is not worth living.

Socrates

A philosopher who made Plato's ideas the basis of Christian ethics, this philosopher believed that earthly l life is only a preparation for eternal life.

St. Augustine

Made Plato's philosophy the basis of Christian Ethics; propose a two sided system of moral law—the life of reason and faith

St. Augustine

He taught that ethics has two dimensions---the natural and the theological. His philosophy was built around the belief that there is a Natural Law (the divine law of God as written in man's heart). He also taught that "all of man is fallen except his intellect.

St. Thomas of Aquinas

A phrase used by the English philosopher, John Locke meaning "blank slate." This view promotes the belief that we are born NEITHER "good" or "bad" but BLANK and that experience writes our reality.

Tabula rasa

St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas

Two Great Thinkers of the Medieval Era of Ethics

Something that is not doubted or questioned.Something that exists outside our subjective realitySomething that does not change. Exists without being dependent on anything else.

What is an absolute?

Theistic answer to this question is GOD.Assumes that God or a Higher BEING exists.Morality comes from God or a higher being. Morality is OBJECTIVE.

Who Makes the rules?....

The Humanistic answer is Humans.There is no authority other than humans.Humans must KNOW all and BE all.There is NO definable TRUTH .

Who makes the rules?

A French philosopher who believed that children are born good and become corrupted by the constraints of society.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Roman ruler who made Christianity STATE religion of the empire (official)

Theodosius

But....Isn't this an ABSOLUTE statement???

There are NO absolute moral principles...

An idea and its counter idea BOTH CAN NOT BE TRUE. If one is RIGHT or TRUE the other is WRONG or FALSE.

Thesis/Anti-thesis Logic

Inductive method + deductive method

= Scientific Method

a norm or principle that is true at all times and in all places and admits no exceptions. CIRCUMSTANCES may change the JUDGEMENT of the action, but the PRINCIPLE does not change

A MORAL ABSOLUTE:

Pupil of Plato/tutored Alexander the Great-As part of this purposeful universe, humans, too, have purpose.-We all move toward a telos (goal)=well-being-He believed we all share a nature which requires us to live a LIFE OF VIRTUE in order to find well being.Life of reason includes:1.Pursuit of truth through reflection (REASON)2.Pursuit of Virtue through conduct (PRACTICE)

ARISTOTLE

Origin of the 3 major monotheistic religions of the world

Abraham

This type of thinking has resulted in the unwillingness to say that ANY BEHAVIOR is wrong.

Absolutophobia

A time which glorified man's ability to reason and was a time of "illumination" in which rational thought was viewed as way to rid ordinary man of ignorance and make a way for productive living.

Age of Enlightenment

Also known as the age of reason; began in 16th century and marked the beginning of the paradigm shift from moral absolutism to moral relativism;

Age of Enlightenment

views of ethics that see God as the ultimate source of morality.According to this view, God wills right because His character is a reflection of all that is good, just, moral and ethical. Thus, to be made in His image we have the capacity to choose good and to live morally is to follow His will.

Divine Command Theory

God's will is right because His character is a reflection of all that is good, just, moral and ethical. -Thus, to be made in His image we have the capacity to choose good and to live morally is to follow His will.

Divine Command TheoryDivine

No RATIONAL basis for ethics; all moral statements are just expressions of our own feelings, attitudes and preferences

EMOTIVISM

Used a rational approach to science based on experimentation and arriving at conclusions based on careful observation. (Empiricism)

FRANCIS BACONFRANCIS BACON

Promoted the INDUCTIVE METHODHe believed that science would free men from ignorance so they could lead productive lives; his ideas along with those of Descartes set the stage for the scientific revolution

Francis Bacon

one of the two "fathers" of the enlightenment who believed that science could free ordinary man from ignorance and allow for a productive life.

Francis Bacon

A 19th century psychologist who changed our view of the ability to "control our impulses;" according to this theorist we are driven by unconscious desires which give us license to do what we want.

Freud

Saint AugustineSaint Thomas Aquinas

Great thinkers of the MEDIEVAL ERA:

Early ancient culture built on the history of the Jews; Old Testament and 10 commandments; influenced ethical thinking in Western Civilization

Hebrew Culture

A system of thinking in which "man" is the only reference point for truth and morality

Humanism

Answers the questions: Where does morality come from? & Who makes the rules? by claiming that all morality comes from man

Humanistic Approach to Ethics

Never happen in a vacuum- Ideas are framed within a CONTEXT-They have CAUSES and CONSEQUENCES

IDEAS

Goes FROM the particular experiments to a GENERAL theory

INDUCTIVE METHOD

Humans are nothing more than a higher sort of animals -Soul, spirit and eternity are but chemical actions of the brain-If there is NO MEANING in our origins (Random origins), NO MEANING beyond biological drives to ensure our DNA continues and NO MEANING beyond THIS LIFE, then WHY SHOULD WE CARE, BE GOOD, or DO GOOD?**

Ideas originated from DARWIN'S theories

Compared the universe to a clock that had been designed by a master clock maker—an all powerful God---who set the universe in motion and then left it alone. - God as Clockmaker= DEISM

RENEE DESCARTES

Religion was a system of illusions and superstitions that "fed" social inequality by reinforcing beliefs and practices of the wealthy.-Thus religion was "an opiate" of the people which caused the poor to accept their conditions in life by promising a better life to come-God is an illusion; we can create our own "utopia" **

Religion according to Marx

Father of modern philosophyMost famous quote: "I think; therefore I am." SELF knowledge defines existence

Renee Descartes

One of two "fathers" of the "Enlightenment" who believed that match and reason were all that are necessary to discover truth in sciences; developed the 'clock-maker' theory of creation; developed a field a mathematics called analytic geometry.

Renee Descartes

A French philosopher who believed that we are "born good;" he believed that what corrupts an individual are the constraints and rules of society; an early proponent of "following our feelings" as the basis of making moral decisions

Rousseau

believed people who lived in civilized society were unhappy and that everyone should live outdoors in harmony with nature.

Rousseau

In this module's context is the view that if moral standards are changed in one area it leads to changes in morality in other areas and eventual moral decay of society

SLIPPERY SLOPESlippery slope

He developed a two sided system of morality.1. Life of reason leads to earthly well being (internal peace here)2. Faith leads to salvation and eternal happiness Wrote The City of God

ST AUGUSTINE:

Used Plato's philosophy in developing a system of Christian ethics: Plato's realm of forms = Christian heaven-Plato believed this world was imperfect (a copy)/ Christianity argues that we live in a fallen imperfect world-Plato emphasized self-denial/Christianity does the same

ST AUGUSTINE:

-He combined Biblical principles with the ideas of Aristotle-Agreed with Aristotle that the universe has PURPOSE built into it—however, proposed that this was due to the creative work of God.-Developed an approach to ethics called NATURAL LAW THEORY

Saint Thomas Aquinas

The Scientific Revolution*Brought new discoveries / inventions which changed how people thought and lived

The Scientific Revolution

A thinker of the medieval era of ethics; built on the ideas of Aristotle and believed natural law was the basis of understanding morality

Thomas Aquinas

- First thinker to systematically approach ethics from a scientific viewpoint.-Argued that human nature is inherently BADIf this nature is left unchecked, the rule of self-preservation will produce a morality based on self-interest-Argued that the concept of right/wrong only exist when a civil society is formed.

Thomas Hobbes

He was the first philosopher to systematically treat ethics from a scientific viewpoint. He believed that man's tendency to self preservation produces a morality based on self interests.

Thomas Hobbes

Life is nasty, short and brutish." Conflict is a part of human nature

Thomas Hobbes

Post-Modern definition---acceptance of any action as within the "person's right" to his/her own morality that extends to condoning the action

Tolerance -Post-Modern definition-

original definition---to listen respectfully to differing views in a COMMON SEARCH for TRUTH

Tolerance: original definition-

StabilityOrderSecurityConfidencePhysical absolutes establish BOUNDARIES: lines of protection; lines that keep us safe or at the least are in our best interest and/or the best interests of others

some functions of physical absolutes

Our "hedonistic" nature rebels at the idea of being confined by boundaries and restrictions. IF there are absolutes that means that EACH of us is bound by a defined RIGHT AND WRONG.IF there are NO absolute principles, then each one is FREE TO DO WHAT ONE WANTS

why do we rebel against the idea of MORAL ABSOLUTES?