Christian Ethics

Food & Agriculture Metaquestions

1. How do we balance appetites -- fulfillment for health, pleasure, and disorder (relates to food & sex). 2. How does the culture of food translate to culture as a whole? 3. Relation to animal ethics -- is commercial farming ethical? 4. How does privilege/poverty relate to food culture? 5. Should Christians be different in how we eat? (little Israel) 6. How is eating an act of stewardship? 7. Do motivations matter?

Post No Evil Author

Adler

Peter Singer and Christian Ethics: Beyond Polarization Author

Camosy

Casual Sex Premise

Casual sex depends on the relationship bw partners, not the motive, manner or consequences Sexual acts can be good, bad, or neutral. An act may be morally wrong if it (a) has bad consequences (b) is done with a bad motive, or (c) it is inherently bad. Greater variety of sex possibly offset by the experience being less exciting/enjoyable due to the normality; lose rebellious thrill. Lose one of the elements of life that gives it significance; the way we treat sex makes it significant or the other way around? Treehouse Metaphor Does not assign a value to sex itself, rather sex gains a positive, negative or neutral value due to the consequences, means & intentions. Casual sex does not necessarily lead people to be casual about sex, and so decides there is nothing morally wrong about it.

In defense of casual sex Author(s)

Clark-Fory

Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)

Clinton's response to Oregon v Smith -- designed to protect minority religious groups. Lies behind the cake-wars law philosophy.

Rethinking Animality: Towards a New Animal Ethics Author

Clough

Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination Author(s)

Corvino & Anderson

Casual Sex Author(s)

Ellis

The Abuse of Casuistry: a History of Moral Reasoning Author(s)

Jonsen & Toulmin

The Context of Eco-Theology Author

Kearns

Cooked Author(s)

Michael Pollen

Survival Lottery: Who & What

Mulgan suggested that in an assumed broken future, half of the population should be wiped out at random to conserve resources for future generations. He argued that current people have a responsibility to future generations.

Feeding People versus Saving Nature Author

Rolston

Religious Liberty: Freedom of Conscience or Freedom of Choice Author

Sandel

Fast Food: A Critical Theological Perspective Premise

"To be drawn into fast food culture, however, is to give oneself over to consumerist patterns of desire rather than allowing oneself to be shaped by the love of God." Points to the incarnation -- God amongst humans in daily life Food is a gift from God meant to be enjoyed within defined limits (Lev & Deut -- distinguished Israel from Gentile nations; protection of hospitality resembles the Gentile inclusion) Community through food; eating as a shared and received act of love; Cooking as an act of stewardship of God's gifts Aquinas: eating in the wrong way at the wrong time. McDonaldization/24 hour society -- disruption of flow of human life/erosion of the homelife; designed for isolation, lack of hospitality/comfort, no cultural representation, resists asceticism. Creates a false illusion of plenty Gluttony -- food enjoyed as an end in itself rather than as a gift and blessing of God. Eating to live or living to eat. Modern food culture has created overfed and undernourished people. Redeemed food practices -- everyone will eat and be satisfied. Fast food disrupts God's intended social character of eating, good nature of food, rhythm of life, and the purposeful nature of work.

Commentary on Dignitatis Humanae Premise

(1) Failure to deal with history -- the Catholic church was late to the political discussion Protestants agree with the outcome (religious freedom is good), but not with the foundations (difference in theological background & human nature) (2) Failure to deal with the implications of an establishment -- DH emphasized that religious freedom is important for individual rights, it ignored that it is important in making a strong government (3) DH has a greater commitment to religion than to freedom. Denies that all religions can be true. Religious freedom provides freedom to find & follow the one Truth. It is an important document; although thinly argued, the Catholic church finally got on board with religious freedom in politics.

Rethinking Animality: Towards a New Animal Ethics Premise

(1) Human treatment of animals is a big issue (2) It is a new issue -- the industrialization of farming & consumption of meat has increased (3) We don't have an adequate moral framework to tell us what behaving morally looks like (4) Approaching animal ethics with theology is helpful People should stop consuming intensively farmed animals.

Food Ethics in the Middle Ages Premise

(1) Impact of religion on eating -- God gave Christians the right to eat meat (through Peter in Acts) and people placed more restrictions on eating to curb indulgence, waste, gluttony & lust (2) What they said about animals as food. There is a hierarchy of nature with humans on top. (3) Moral aspect of eating governed by the virtue of fasting and the vice gluttony Food was important to the culture of Medieval Europe & played an important role in Christianity

Poverty Metaquestions

1. Does proximity matter? 2. Do intentions or outcomes matter more?

Classic Liberalism

1. Equality of Citizens 2. Individual Rights 3. Limited Government 4. Freedom of Religion Prior to Pope Paul VI, the Catholic church said no to all 4 tenets.

Week 1 Metaquestions

1. How do we make ethical decisions -- rules that apply to everyone or on a case-by-case basis? 2. Where should the line be drawn between protecting and preparing people in debating touchy subjects?

Potential Problems with For I Was Hungry: Catholic Reflections on Food, Farmers, and Farmworkers

1. Is the argument biased towards farmers -- what about the other seemingly worthy professions? Romanticized view of farmers being extra special. 2. Is the document big government? 3. Forcing Christian values on others?

Ways out of the Starbucks vs Donate Debate

1. Relational Proximity 2. Physical Proximity 3. Invisible Hand (paying for Starbucks means contributing to allowing a mother to keep her job or contributing money to fairtrade) 4. Someone else's responsibility (fair share argument) 5. Give more later 6. Directness argument 7. Knowledge/Possible Ineffectiveness 8. Calling -- I need caffeine to do my job

Eco-ethics Metaquestions

1. What are our obligations -- to nature, to one another, to future people? 2. What are values? How do we decide what does and doesn't have value? Intrinsic vs Instrumental value (motivations) 3. What is stewardship? What is dominion? Does it come from a stance below, above, or among? 4. How do we/the authors employ the 3 types of environmental ethics -- eco-justice, creation, and stewardship?

Non-human Animal Metaquestions

1. What does it mean to have dominion? 2. What gives something more rights/value than something else? 3. What obligation do people have to animals (stewardship & dominion) 4. Do Christians have a greater obligation to animals? 5. Do motivations make a difference if the outcome is the same?

Week 2 Metaquestions

1. Where do we draw the line in making exceptions? At what point does bending the rules for religious purposes place religious people at an unfair advantage over non-religious people? 2. Making decisions by obligation or preference.

Post No Evil Premise

A look at Facebook Censoring -- at first an attempt to geometric reasoning (one ideal rule applies to all), then they had to adjust to use practical reasoning (make judgement calls on a case-by-case basis); The rules are always being adjusted.

For I Was Hungry: Catholic Reflections on Food, Farmers, and Farmworkers Premise

Agriculture is more than economics. It is food and hunger. It is how we treat the workers and how we shape the nation and world. Spark new and inclusive conversations that result in an advancement of the dignity of farmers. 1. Overcome Hunger & poverty 2. Provide safe, affordable, and sustainable food supply 3. Ensure a decent life for farmers 4. Sustain & strengthen rural communities 5. Protecting God's creation 6. Expand participation 1) Protect Human Life & Dignity -- everyone sacred in identity in God and therefore entitled to enough food to sustain a dignified & full human existence 2) Social Nature of the Person -- humans are inherently social & societal functions affect human dignity; social nature + justice = need for people to participate effectively in the decisions that affect their lives 3) Option for and with the Poor & Vulnerable -- Scripture, Jesus & Christian teaching say we should take special care to protect and care for the vulnerable and poor. Agricultural structures must follow this as well; trade must be fair and protect the dignity of farmers in poor/vulnerable countries. 4) Dignity of Work & the Rights/Duties of Workers/Owners -- Must provide workers with fair conditions, wages, healthcare, voice, etc; Owners and workers must steward and protect the land on which they work for the sake of creation and the common good 5) Solidarity -- We all are interconnected across borders and cultures; Agriculture is a global reality; support development of organizations at the local, national, and international levels (subsidiarity + solidarity) 6) Respect for Creation -- Stewardship of land, animals, resources, etc is a community responsibility

Elevator Analogy

Analogy for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. As a treatment for fears (in this case elevators) the person each day gets a little closer to riding in the elevator, at first looking at it, then pushing the button, then getting inside, then riding in it, etc. The person is desensitized to elevators & gradually learns over time that their fear does not translate to actual potential harm. This translates to trigger warnings & discussing volatile topics. If we shy away from the things that scare us, are hard to talk about, or have been a source of trauma in the past, then we will never be able to overcome the fear. If society continues to require more and more trigger warnings, everyone will become scared of everything & society will come to a standstill since so many issues will go undiscussed out of fear of offending/triggering someone else. We should be creating safe spaces to overcome trauma, not places where we avoid sources of trauma and therefore further the fear. The issue of trigger warnings translates to a culture of "unhealthy mental habits" -- avoidance rather than healthy recognition/overcoming. This is a harm to social progress and education.

Camosy "For the Love of Animals" Argument

Animals are owed moral treatment as an act of justice and as a specifically Christian act of defending vulnerable populations while sacrificing something personally. Core cultural issue of making us vs. them (core of racism, sexism, ageism, etc); fallen human state to exploit the weak when we are the ones with power

Augustine & Sex

Appetite Metaphor: Food could be bad or unhealthy for some people, but it is not unusual or anything like that; some forms of eating are clearly unhealthy, but there is more than one reason to eat (nourishment, fellowship, pleasure, etc) Purpose of Marriage 1. Procreation 2. Friendship 3. Image of Mystery (mystery in Greek = sacrament)

The Rhino Hunter Premise

Auctions for selective hunting rights -- conservation by selective destruction. Is it ethical to sacrifice a little for the benefit of a lot (utilitarianism)? Do motivations matter (i.e. want to conserve vs thrill of the kill vs monetary gain)? Question of intrinsic vs instrumental value -- virtue ethics.

What Makes Humans so Special?

Augustine: genetic lineage (sons of Adam & daughters of Eve) Tooley: self-awareness (what about drunk/sleeping humans) Boethius: rational nature McCormick: human relationality; human capacity to relate/interact face-to-face Hauerwas: animals and humans separated in the unique purpose given to people by God (image) to tell animals who they are; links violence in war with violence to animals Eberstadt: links pro-life & ethical vegetarianism -- both result from a gut reaction against violence Fletcher: neocortical function (cerebral cortex concerned with sight & hearing); the brainstem is special among humans (what about humans in vegetative state or chimps/dogs/aliens) Imago Dei (Image of God) -- God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them - Genesis 1:27 (doesn't say how being the image of God gives us the right to kill/mistreat animals)

The Abuse of Casuistry: a History of Moral Reasoning Premise

Began with geometric reasoning which deduces small conclusions from universal principles Aristotle introduced practical reasoning which makes decisions on a case-by-case basis based on experience. The issue comes if they are separated. They need to be balanced for sound ethical decision making. Different circumstances call for a different ratio of practical:theoretical (doctors vs. physicists).

Remember the Poor: Duties, Dilemmas, and Vocation Premise

Bridges Singer's utilitarianism with Christian ethics in the treatment of the poor. "Utilitarianism as secularized Christian ethic." Both call for a similar way of life -- one that promotes universal good. Christians do this by declaring inactivity/harm to the poor is a sin; Singer calls it dodging a moral obligation. Issue of proximity -- Singer dismisses the issue of proximity. Christianity places stake in proximity; christian ethics points to a need for personal connection in helping your neighbor -- giving to the faceless other or a brother/sister in Christ? Augustine: you cannot love every neighbor so love any neighbor along your path. Where are we crossing the road? Singer & Christians acknowledge the failures of human nature in not doing all we should do. Not doing all you should do while still doing more than others does not excuse not doing all you should/can do. "Creation goes deeper than the fall" worldly brokenness & tendency of free will to sin is no excuse to continue sinning -- confess the sin of sloth

Peter Singer and Christian Ethics: Beyond Polarization Pt 2 Premise

Camosy compare modern Christian viewpoints to Singer. Lewis, along with Stanley Hauerweis and Mary Eberstadt, shows deep empathy for animals. Therefore, the Church does not limit personhood to only humans. Boethius's argument: rational nature = personhood. Aquinas' argument: intellectual nature = personhood. Medieval argument: rational life in half animal/half men. Celestial argument: rational life beyond earth. Camosy argues that animals in close proximity to people can come to know and understand God.

Dignitatis Humanae Premise

Catholic church's first declaration that religious freedom is good. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion in such a way that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs. The right to religious freedom has its foundation in the very dignity of the human person revealed word of God and by reason itself. You are morally obligated to follow Truth, but you have the right to choose if you will follow it or not. Man is meant to adhere to the Truth once he finds it. (freedom of conscience) Freedom of religion is important in the public sense -- man is meant to profess his religion & religious communities ought to be free to practice. Religious freedom is therefore good insofar as it can lead people to the Catholic Church. This truth that the Catholic Church provides can only be reached freely - people cannot be forced into religion. Gov't must favor religious people by not hindering them and making their practice truly free. Forms of government still exist under which, even though freedom of religious worship receives constitutional recognition, the powers of government are engaged in the effort to deter citizens from the profession of religion and to make life very difficult and dangerous for religious communities. Evangelii Gaudium tie-in: We each have the right to consider all the religions and follow whichever one we deem to be true; we can still unite with people who practice other religions or no religion at all in pursuit of social justice

Liberalism and Catholicism Premise

Catholicism still has problems with liberalism, but most Catholics do not. The Vatican opposed religious freedom because Catholicism should be the legal religion Catholics in post WWII US began to be for liberal values since Catholics were in the minority in the US, they would benefit more from religious freedom American liberals expressed concerns about the US Catholics taking over from within and imposing their values/hierarchies on the American gov't. Modernity no longer divides Catholics from Protestants and Jews. Rather, there are modernists and traditionalists in all three religions. If anything, liberal individualism--the ideology that seemed so morally impoverished to many Catholic theologians in the nineteenth century--has become a way of life for many, if not most, Catholics. The modernization of Catholicism suggests that whatever individual Catholics think about the hierarchical character of the Church, they are going to organize their own institutions-- families, schools, and workplaces--in a fashion more committed to the egalitarian values of modern society. If being liberal means being open to a diversity of views and a willingness to recognize that those who are different are not necessarily enemies, liberals could do more to recognize that strict interpretations of separation of church and state often leave religious believers, especially liberal religious believers, feeling alienated from liberalism. Liberalism and Catholicism can coexist, but each side must concede something to the other.

Do we have obligation to future generations? (Mulgan)

Challenges: Motivational: motivate present people to take their obligations to future people more seriously than most of us do Theoretical: how those obligations should be balanced against out duties to one another Second-personal intergenerational ethic: our moral decisions must be justified against some impartial standard and to the particular individuals who are affected. (look at what we would want for ourselves and forecast that to future generations; look at actions that probably/definitely will cause harm; future people have a right to complain about us).

The Context of Eco-Theology Premise

Christian ecological activism -- (1) Christian stewardship: Gen 1:28 dominion = human responsibility to care for the earth (2) Eco-Justice: eco-issues = social justice issues; right social wrongs to restore relationship bw humans and nature (3) Creation Spirituality: humans as small, yet influential parts of a bigger ecological web that connects the physical universe, the spiritual/mystical, and humans.

Freedom of Conscience vs. Freedom of Choice

Conscience dictates; religious obligations that define how you are supposed to act. "I cannot in good conscience & faith do x thing even though I may want to do y thing" Choice decides; a matter of preference "I do not want to do x thing because I would rather do y"

Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination Premise

Corvino argues that religious freedom is more like religious privileging -- Christians are given more exemptions than other religions/no religion (Hobby Lobby & Kim Davis). A religious person makes a choice based on religious obligation. A non-religious person makes the same choice, but is not protected because their motives were not religious. (same result, different motive) Corvino argues that the law needs to encumber religious people sometimes (i.e. with Kim Davis -- she is given freedom religion, but her choice is either to do her job or leave her job, not to do her job or retain her job w/o doing her job) Anderson argues the gov't should make laws based on a common good & attempt to empower all & encumber none. Laws should promote harmony within the self, among people, and with religion Laws should make exemptions for religious people on the basis of freedom of conscience Religious people should be given room in laws to act according to their moral code not forced to follow their moral code or follow the law.

In defense of casual sex Premise

Defense of hook-up culture written by a woman. Hook-up culture not a symptom of a generation unable to commit, but a generation who is willing to admit they don't know what they like yet. "Hook-up culture" is just a name for what earlier generations already did Hooking up is figuring out what/who you like so you are happier with your final investment. Takes the power out of sex. Women are worth more than their purity. Heartbreak can happen without sex involved. It's all about choice not just empowerment and respect.

Virtue Ethics

Deontology: an action is good or bad in itself not in its result (intrinsic goodness) Aristotelian Virtue Ethics: virtuous people are those that have ideal character traits and consistently act rightly throughout a variety of situations regardless of what they have to gain and without it simply being their duty.

Religious Liberty: Freedom of Conscience or Freedom of Choice Premise

Distinguishes between the freedom of 'conscience' and the freedom of 'choice'. The problem of "encumbered selves" where people are bound by duties they cannot renounce, or at least claim that they cannot renounce, despite the fact that this may differ from certain civil obligations that they face. Religious liberty is better expressed through freedom of conscience than freedom of choice. Neutrality of the gov't on religious matters is not in question, but how to best demonstrate neutrality is (thin line between favoring religion/neutrality/hostility to religion -- ex: creationism/evolution in schools) Separation of church and state is meant to avoid (1) compromising religion (2) civil strife bw sects (3) danger of coercion. Voluntarist (mordern) argument -- first amendment safeguards the free exercise of the chosen form of religion (freedom of choice). Provides a respect for individuals as free and independent self, not for religion. Argument employed by the courts/1st amendment (individual autonomy) The image of the unencumbered self is inadequate to the liberty it promises. Madison, Jefferson & Locke focused on freedom of conscience -- beliefs are not a matter of choice. Coercion produces hypocrisy, but not conviction. Duty to follow truth by the creator, not the ability; to choose what is true by the created. Religion as lifestyle vs identity. Examples of days off and the Sabbath & Amish schooling -- court said you have the freedom to choose religion or rebel from religion; yarmulke in airforce -- court denied on account of personal preference. Nativity in public square -- allowing on the grounds of christmas spirit/marketing does not respect religion either or protect the sacred symbol

Tree House Metaphor

Ellis The treehouse is made special by it's exclusivity not by the fact that it's a treehouse. It loses it's specialness when more people start coming in. The treehouse is the same, but your attitude towards it changes. Every human should have one special place; important to reserve some activity to only one (maybe sex for bio purpose, but argument does not rely on sex).

Material vs. Formal Cooperation

Formal: performing an act in cooperation/allowance of an "evil" action and endorsing that evil/action Material: performing an act in cooperation/allowance of an "evil" action but making it known that you do not agree with that evil/action Ex: a nurse assisting a doctor with an abortion can go as far as handing the doctor instruments, but cannot perform the act themselves

How does the cake baker argument tie together with Sabbath, Amish school attendance, and conscientious objections to war?

Freedom from & freedom to. A law limiting the religious individuals in doing what they want/need to do restricts their freedom from coercion/oppression. However, their freedom to choose and follow their religion interferes with non-religious individuals.

Freedom from vs. Freedom to

Freedom to choose a religion or not to choose a religion (for the Catholic church you can choose to follow truth or not) Freedom from coercion (your decision is of your own free will, not the will of another)

Geometric vs Aesthetic Ethics

Geometry: begin with broad statements that are clear and unquestionably true, then deduce conclusions that are not obvious or self-explanatory

Remember the Poor: Duties, Dilemmas, and Vocation Author(s)

Gregory

Comparing the Good Samaritan with the Shallow Pond

Gregory & Perry People cross the road/walk past the pond to avoid helping. Not helping is not a neutral act, it is an immoral act. Both question the concept of neighbor. Everyone agrees that if you come across someone who needs help, you should help them. But does modern globalization change the concept of neighbor? We can just as effectively help those abroad now.

Commentary on Dignitatis Humanae Author

Griffin

Fast Food: A Critical Theological Perspective Author(s)

Grumett, Bretherton & Holmes

Singer's view on non-human animal ethics

He calls out the Christian mindset for hypocrisy and speciesism - Christian mindset being that humans are made in the image of God and therefore have dominion; Hypocritical because of pro-life stance (should be pro-all life not just human life). (ex: Jesus letting pigs drown; Christianity in Rome allowing animal gladiator battles to continue) We are disconnected from our food; we don't question the story of the animal before it got onto our plate; Factory farmers not to blame, but the underlying system of devaluing animals Rejection of speciesism does not imply that all lives are of equal worth; in a life or starvation scenario, self-aware human trumps animal (but we aren't in life or death mode) Step 1: take responsibility for leading cruelty-free lives (i.e. stop eating meat); as a practical not symbolic measure.

Oregon v Smith

Held that the state could deny unemployment benefits to a person fired for violating a state prohibition on the use of peyote, even though the use of the drug was part of a religious ritual.

The meaning of sex: Christian Ethics and the moral life Author(s)

Hollinger

Lewis and animal ethics

Humans should acknowledge our superiority over animals in realizing an obligation to them that they can not in term realize Our superiority does not negate moral obligation, in fact it increases our duty to protect the vulnerable (Camosy claims Aquinas would share this view) Against vivisection (experimentation = speciesist) Agrees with Singer that the key question is not soullessness but ability to suffer (sentience) "Your Highness/Shall from this practice but make hard your heart" - taking pleasure from spilling blood is not virtuous. (Rhino hunter question of killing for sport vs killing for food -- outcome is the same, but does the motive make it more troubling)

Tension in First Amendment -- freedom of speech and free religious practice

If the government doesn't establish a religion, then they don't establish a basis for rules. Any religious group can attempt to gain exceptions to rules on the grounds of free speech & free religion. Playing only on a case-by-case basis; very subjective & demands that all religions (no matter how small or questionable) are allowed to ask for exemptions. Difficult to draw a line between favoring religious individuals and giving them freedom to practice religion. (Corvino)

Famine, Affluence, and Morality Premise

If we can stop something bad from happening without sacrificing anything of equal moral importance, then, morally, we should do it (marginal utility) The whole way we look at moral issues -- our moral conceptual scheme -- needs to be altered, and with it, the way of life that has come to be taken for granted in our society. Proximity and distance do not make a moral difference. Closer means more likely to do something not more obligated to do something. It doesn't matter if you are the only one who can help or one of a million who can help. People condemn those who break moral norms, but don't condemn those who choose luxury over charity. Aquinas: "whatever a man has in superabundance is owed, of natural right, to the poor... " Helping the poor is not a nice thing to do, it is a necessity due to the wide gap in life quality between rich and poor

Singer & Christian Ethics

Is proximity relevant for Christians because Christians have reason to be love that our intuition that proximity matters was put there by God? (i.e. neighbor language) Utilitarianism makes no distinguishment between doing and allowing; outcomes only, not intent or situation. In Christian ethics, intent is central to morality.

What is the principle of subsidiarity & how does it apply to food/farming ethics?

It evaluates localism -- smallest division of supervision that can deal with something should deal with it (ex: parents choose where kids go to school not the queen bc the queen is outside of the family). Applied to farming -- local villagers farms & big government; if small farms are wiped out then we need a bigger support. Our world and the spaces in which we live are made of distinct societies that interact with one another; the issue comes in when one society assumes the roles of another society (ex: when the gov't starts making decisions that parents should)

What Our Obligations to Other Animals are Not Premise

Justice applies to the relationship between equal beings. There's a fundamental equality bw beings within a class as well as a difference in quality bw the classes. Opposes Camosy's claim in "For the Love of Animals" that animals are owed the Christian ideal of justice (defend the vulnerable) Deals with the question "Why should animals be included in the "justice community" with humans? Camosy: The Bible states the inherent/intrinsic value of animals without reference to humans; the world is not created for humans; there are species above humans (i.e. angels and aliens). Camosy Opponents: Theological reasoning -- humans created in the image of God and meant to have a special relationship with Him. God became man (aka Jesus) to redeem fallen humanity; further redemption comes through the church body (made of humans) The existence of angels doesn't change man's dominion over animals; the fact that creation (including animals) is good does not mean man cannot utilize animals for food and labor; also, angels are not given dominion over people like people are explicitly given dominion over animals "Both angels and human beings are persons, rational agents capable of intellection and choice. No non-human animal fits this description." Tollefson: Animals are good & contribute to the beauty and goodness of creation. Creation does not exist for human exploitation, even if it is created as a gift for human persons. Human beings should not be confident that they are the only personal beings in the universe. However, these truths do not show that animals are on the same rational/intellectual playing field with animals, therefore, they should not be placed in the same justice community.

Rhino Hunter Key Figure

Korey Knowlton

Food Ethics in the Middle Ages Author

Lagerlund

Just Sex Podcast Premise

Looks at the hookup culture of universities. Points to a larger issue of young people not wanting to show they care/commit. Provides a reason for monogamy being valuable. Not necessarily as a reason against hooking-up. Monogamy gets you something valuable, and casual sex—while not necessarily being bad—is unable to provide that good thing.

The Coddling of the American Mind Author(s)

Lukianoff & Haidt

Evangelii Gaudium Ch 4: The Social Dimension of Evangelization Premise

Main goal: peace in a troubled world If we mess up the social part of evangelizes, we distort the original message of the gospel. There is not to be a universal rule for fixing all problems, but each Christian community should objectively analyze the situation present in their own country. The whole world belongs to everyone in it. Being born in a poorer place does not give a person any less right to dignity. We are meant to go above and beyond aiding people in survival, help them thrive. We need to attack the root of the issue -- unjust economic system. Peace is not the absence of warfare or the silencing of the broken so the rich can go about their lives without hearing the pleas of those in need. We must build a people in peace, justice, and fraternity based on four principles... 1. Time > Space (slow and steady) 2. Unity wins over conflict 3. Realities > Ideas 4. Whole > Part Catholic church needs dialogue with states, society, and with other believers not part of the Catholic Church. [very similar to the argument of WHH -- comprehensive care of the poor]

Guardian Article: Our laws make slaves of nature. It's not just humans who need rights. Author

Mari Margil

What defines personhood?

Marquis: capacity to have a future like ours Singer: having preferences (doesn't value personhood itself, but the comparison of preferences) Aquinas: capacity to know/love God and rationality/having a soul Camosy/Boethius: having the being of a rational nature Consciousness/Rationality/Self-awareness/Third-order reflection/Empathy/Morality

Moral Relativism

Moral judgements are true or false only relative to some particular standpoint and no standpoint is valued more than the others; considers context (culture or time).

Answering to Future People: Responsibility for Climate Change in a Breaking World Author

Mulgan

Laudato si' Premise

Need to realize the essential interconnectedness of nature, people, and God. Call for asceticism - move away from what I want to what God's world needs. We must find and acknowledge out unity with nature that way we may not turn nature into something to be controlled; look at nature with awe and wonder; communicate with and see God through the nature He created. Scientific/economic advancement must be paired with social/moral progress -- "our human ability to transform reality must proceed in line with God's original gift of all that is." Creation is harmed "when we see nothing else but ourselves" -- Natural and social environment have degraded due to humans' moral misbehavior. (eco issues in the same boat as social issues) "Integral Ecology" takes us to the heart of what it means to be human -- rejoining with God

Guardian Article: Our laws make slaves of nature. It's not just humans who need rights. Premise

People are trying to get nature recognized as a person in court. Although you can't sue a river for flooding or a forest for catching fire, you can recognize them as a 'victim' in crimes causing pollution, climate change, etc. We would need to change the definition of a 'legal person'. Give nature rights to existence, regeneration, and restorations as well as monetary reparation to defend the vulnerable.

How does privilege/poverty relate to food culture?

People do not have the same ability to make choices in what they eat (poverty -- lack of time to prepare food/lack of money to buy healthy food; food deserts) Americans struggle to understand that people rely on agriculture for monetary subsistence; government favors industrialized farming (productionism -- more production is always better). Luke 12:16-23 Parable of the Rich Fool -- The most basic problem is how he understands his crops and lands; he sees that they are private -- meant to benefit himself and no one else. Basil the Great -- "So that one person alone enjoys what is offered for the benefit of all in common" -- all people should have access to what they need to survive and flourish. It's not that the man takes the seat, but that he blocks others from taking a seat.

Evangelii Gaudium Author(s)

Pope Francis

Laudato si' Author

Pope Francis

Dignitatis Humanae Author

Pope Paul VI

The Coddling of the American Mind Premise

Prepare don't protect. Takes a look at the development of required trigger warnings in the classroom & society. Haidt and Lukianoff strongly disagree with trigger warnings. Universities/government institutions should encourage students/people to address volatile issues not hide from them. They acknowledge the climate that we live in (racially, socially, etc) and think we should be kind/try not to offend one another. Primary concern of universities should be preparing students to successfully navigate a world full of offenses. Cognitive distortions and how universities should better disable these types of thinking amongst students. Essentially, create a body of university students who are more mentally prepared to address the inevitable challenges they will face, not hide from them.

What is Casuistry?

Process of reasoning that seeks to resolve moral problems by extending theoretical rules from a particular case to new instances. "When the premises of a policy do not, or cannot, fit the case at hand, the rabbinic practice of casuistry suggests that we should rule with one eye on the underlying point to the law (its telos), and the other eye on analogous cases, with the goal being similar cases should be decided similarly." JP

How Porn is Affecting the Libido of the American Male Author(s)

Rothbart

Answering to Future People: Responsibility for Climate Change in a Breaking World Premise

Second-personalism is fruitful, not absurd. The Choice: Continue on as we are or Conservation - assuming broken world where future people are inherently worse off than present people. Mulgan argues for a survival lottery to sustain resources for future generations in the case of a "broken future" (hit carrying capacity) Issue with (a) the ethics of murdering people and (b) the random aspect allows that history could repeat itself -- good and bad people are equally as likely to be wiped out.

Cooked Premise

Secular look at modern food culture across countries -- American culture of eating as a form of McDonaldization. We have lost the patience and fellowship that goes into creating and enjoying a good meal.

The meaning of sex: Christian Ethics and the moral life Premise

Sex is a good, but fallen gift of God. There is power in sex. It can bring people closer together and tear them apart. It is all about how we use and approach sex; do we abuse it or use it for good. 4 purposes/ends of the gift of sexual intimacy; true meaning of sex incorporates all 4 and only within the marriage of a man and woman (1) Consummation of marriage -- ongoing affirmation of a physical union & covenant; defines a marriage from other relationships; goes back to the perfect Eden before shame entered -- full trust in partner (2) Procreation -- create children within loving, stable marriage (contraceptives are okay, as long as the couple is receptive to bring a child into their union) (stewardship -- scripture); sexuality has morphed into something to be discovered/altered (i.e. hookup culture & homosexuality); acknowledge that it is a procreative act not a "just for fun" act -- there is a greater dimension of pointing beyond the personal (3) Love -- intimate way to say I love you; imitate Christ's love for the church/bride; love must be covenental, "for keeps" & ready to bear life; Song of Songs celebrates sex as expression of a special kind of love; expression and nutrient of love (4) Pleasure -- The pleasures of sex are holistic -- physical, emotional, spiritual; the good sensations are a part of the gift but must be paired with the commitments and love of marriage; element of pleasure shows the character of God Culture of porn/hook-ups/kinky sex doesn't emphasize sexuality too much, but too little -- restrains sexuality to the genital/trivial. Not involving all 4 of the elements distorts God's intention. Some people are called to singleness, this is not a more challenging life, but a differently challenging life

Integrate Week 1 topics: facebook scrubbing, trigger warnings/microaggressions, elevator analogy, casuistry

Should we be so concerned about protecting people through censorship -- if so where is the line drawn? How do we make case-by-case decisions less subjective?

Famine, Affluence, and Morality Author(s)

Singer

Speciesism: Who & What?

Singer Giving greater weight to the interests of members of their own species when there is a clash between their interests and the interests of those of other species; not accepting that pain is as bad when it is felt by pigs or mice as when it is felt by humans Humans are considered above other animals in a certain way making it okay to not subject other animals to the same kind of moral concern we hold for humans; usually rational thought is used to make this distinction. Racism = Sexism = Speciesism Bentham: "The question is not can they reason nor can they talk, but can they suffer?" Chickens & Babies

Peter Singer and Christian Ethics: Beyond Polarization Pt 1 Premise

Singer blames Christianity for society's mistreatment of animals. Camosy counters that the root of the issue is human practice of Christianity not God's design for Christianity. 'Speciesism' is not the same as believing that God created the world to have a specific order. 1) The Catholic church acknowledges responsibility to animals 2) Dominion/stewardship has been skewed by humans, but God's intention was good 3) Aquinas had a wider argument -- hierarchy of nature does not mean anthropocentrism.

Feeding People versus Saving Nature Premise

Sometimes we must save nature because it is ungodly to put ourselves, humans, so far above the natural world we were meant to steward that we destroy it. Feeding the hungry is important but shouldn't necessarily come first. If you put all aside until poverty ends, then civilization cannot progress. Other decisions kill people besides deciding not to feed them (i.e. military, air pollution, not hiring more policemen) Therefore, we must devote time, energy and money to cultural values before feeding people, the same may be true for natural values. We reach a state of diminishing returns when we resolve to a good-better-best fallacy. We have the right to develop, but "the exercise of any right must be balanced against values destroyed in the exercise of that right." "We are not always obligated to cover human mistakes with the sacrifice of natural values." Ten Commandments - "the iniquity of the fathers is visited upon the children to the third and fourth generation" (Ex 20:5). Children & animals pay for the compounded mistakes of previous generations.

What is Catholic Social Teaching?

The Catholic church's body of teaching on social justice issues. A series of popes created 5 principles. The principle of Subsidiarity is related to food/farming ethics.

Aquinas and animal ethics

The highest good is after God God created a hierarchy and that hierarchy does not constitute anthropocentricism or speciesism Humans are not the highest is the hierarchy. There are celestial beings that lie above Humans and non-human animals share a spiritual reality/soul & practical reason

Evangelii Gaudium Ch 2: Amid the Crisis of Communal Committment Premise

The world is becoming more secular, money-driven, individualistic culture that is undermining culture and family units. The church must evangelize in order to counteract this secular culture for a faithful one that works for the common good above individual desires. Global cities provide a prime example of the disparity between rich and poor, opportunity and struggle due to the growth of secular ideals; cities should draw a focus of evangelism for this reason. Modern culture has contributed to an economy of exclusion, idolatry of money, a financial system that rules not serves, inequalities which spawn violence, spiritual sloth & selfishness in missions, sterile pessimism, spiritual worldliness, and warring within the church. A renewed ecclesial fervor in Christ counteracts these burdens of modern life and frees Christians to evangelize, help the poor & live counter-cultural lives that give life.

What Our Obligations to Other Animals are Not Author

Tollefson

For I Was Hungry: Catholic Reflections on Food, Farmers, and Farmworkers Author(s)

US Conference of Catholic Bishops

Utilitarianism (rule vs. act)

Utilitarianism: focus on outcomes; the right choice is the one that will produce the greatest good for the greatest number. Rule utilitarianism: an action is right as long as it conforms to a rule that leads to the greatest good (geometric reasoning) Act utilitarianism: an action is right if it produces the best possible results in that specific situation (practical reasoning)

Liberalism and Catholicism Author

Wolfe

How Porn is Affecting the Libido of the American Male Premise

"Men, oversaturated by porn, secretly hunger for the variety that porn offers. Women, noticing a decline in their partners' libidos, try to reenact the kinds of scenes that men watch on their computer screens. Men, as a result, get really freaked out. They don't want their real women and their fantasy women to inhabit the same body." Oversaturation of sex in modern culture -- evident in the availibility & prevalence of porn