This paper is a review of the book, Reviving Evangelical Ethics: The Promises and Pitfalls of Classic Models of Morality by Wyndy Corbin Reuschling. This book addresses the misconceptions of Christian ethics and why it needs to be revived. Reuschling writes as a Christian social ethicist who understand the language, the communities, the commitments, and the moral and spiritual practices valued in evangelicalism. Reuschling approaches the moral formation of ethics by examining the three classic theories of ethics, deontology, teleology, and virtue ethics. Reuschling defines the term deontology as the study of duty or obligation. Teleology is “understood as the ascertaining and achievement of moral outcomes or ends by considering the consequences …show more content…
Clearly she has done a tremendous amount of research on the three classic theories of ethics. Where her strength is in the research conducted, the weakness of chapter one is the unnecessarily complicated explanations of these theories. There is tremendous value in the ability to explain the complex in easily understood terms, even to academics, which Reuschling seemingly …show more content…
Reuschling points out that Kant’s deontology “is a moral scheme wherein God is unnecessary, because human have the ability through reason to ascertain truth and to act accordingly.” The rules are there to be implemented and followed to make sense according to reason even if previously revealed to make sense. In the deontological perspective, “faith is beside the point, because the highest claim on our lives is the imperative duty for the sake of duty.” Reuschling mentions there is no need to engage in moral reflections scriptures, tradition, or fundamental conversions. We just need to “trust and obey”. The scriptures omit the context and narratives behind scriptural prescriptions and commands. Yet, acknowledging that deontological commands exist. There is a purpose to our moral instruction in which, we must understand the contextual and contingent of commands. There is a moral reality that extends beyond while practicing and obeying the command so the community can be
This paper is going to discuss Ethics and Ethical Theories. It will include an introduction to ethical theories, virtue ethics, and care ethics. There will be sections discussing absolutism versus relativism, consequentialism versus deontological ethics, and lastly, free will versus determinism. It will also include a discussion about the study of morality and identify which of the approaches (Scientific, Philosophical, or Theological/Religious) are closest to my own personal beliefs. There will be a discussion regarding the three sources of ethics
People from all walks of life face many ethical dilemmas. These dilemmas have consequences. Our worldview determines how we deal with these dilemmas, and guides us to the right decisions. In this essay, I will examine an ethical issues through my Christian worldview. I will also present other viewpoints, and compare them to mine.
Deontology is an ethical theory concerned with duties and rights. The founder of deontological ethics was a German philosopher named Immanuel Kant. Kant’s deontological perspective implies people are sensitive to moral duties that require or prohibit certain behaviors, irrespective of the consequences (Tanner, Medin, & Iliev, 2008). The main focus of deontology is duty: deontology is derived from the Greek word deon, meaning duty. A duty is morally mandated action, for instance, the duty never to lie and always to keep your word. Based on Kant, even when individuals do not want to act on duty they are ethically obligated to do so (Rich, 2008).
These individuals are known to be experts of morality. The chapter proposes two reasons as to why these individuals are called upon so frequently. One, for those who believe and have some sort of religious back round, and second, for those who believe in what is called a “scientific view” of the world. This chapter presents the idea that there is some popular belief that religion and morality go hand in hand and that in order to understand morality, you must understand religion. It is explained that when we view morality from a religious perspective, we give meaning to morality in a way that a “good man” made this world that we currently live in and that we are his children. While the book proposes the question that people who believe in God, or a higher power, base their values on what those religions state is right or wrong, whereas for an atheist the question still remains; how do these individuals weigh their moral compass and place their values?
Christians are called to the higher purpose of fulfilling a spiritual life in accordance to God’s will (II Timothy 1:9 New Living Translation, NLT). At the same time Christians are a part of society and therefore participate in the wealth of the economy. Although some have challenged business is morally neutral, business can be a wonderful way to bring glory to God (Grudem, 2003). This is possible when Christians apply their Christian worldview and abide by a code of conduct constructed from this worldview (Ruddell, 2004). This paper will examine the process of constructing an ethics program based on a Christian worldview.
1. The biblical basis of Jubilee 2000’s call for the immediate canceling of all debts of HIPC’s is found in Leviticus. This bible book states that “you shall not oppress one another.” Also in the book of Leviticus in the case of someone who becomes poor and in turn to sells his possessions then his relative may redeem the possessions he sold. Or if the man has no one to redeem it but he himself becomes able to redeem it then let him count the years since the sale, and restore the remainder to the man whom he sold it, that he may return to his possessions. But if he’s not able to have it restored to himself, then what was sold shall remain in the land of him who bought it until the year of Jubilee and in the
2. Discuss ethics in the context of relativism, psychological egoism, utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics.
Assignment 5: Based on your reading in Ch 9 in Kessler, the posted readings Morality Without Religion and Universality of Moral Law, the Socrates & St. Augustine power point, pgs. 24-39 in Nye, and the Popular Culture power point.
Ethics and virtue have been a very contentious issue facing society for centuries. Many argue over the merits of various theories, each with its own philosophies and assumptions. It is this argument that has given rise to many popular and followed theories of ethics and virtues. The theories discussed primarily in this document include the virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological theory. Each is very distinct to the others in regards to its principles and assumptions regarding human behavior. Each however, has merit in regards to question of ethics and virtue, and how it should subsequently be valued.
There are a variety of different ethical systems that have developed of the course of millennia. However, even though the subject has been covered so thoroughly, it is still heavily debated. The varieties of ethical systems that are in existence look at various ethical problems from different perspectives and can be applied differently in different circumstances. Because of the subjective aspects to applying ethics, they can be as much an art as they are a science. Ethics are something that must be practiced and really cannot be perfected. In this way, studying ethics is a continual process that does not really stop. This paper will argue that ethics are the most important subject that an individual can pursue.
In Chapter seven we discussed deontological ethics and how good actions are made by the moral agent following moral rules. Deontological ethics has two types of intuition theories it is associated with: act-based and rule-based. Act-based intuitionism allows one to use their conscience to make decisions, general rules should not guide our actions. Joseph Butler was a key act-intuitionist in the 1700’s. Rule-based intuitionism states that our actions must be guided and followed by universal rules. William Ross is one of the most famous rule-intuitionist in history. Another theory associated with deontological ethics is divine command; this theory mentions that God commands and wills morality to one. Ross created seven duties that signify initial
Any beneficial conversations about morality that occur between those who practice religion and those who do not, or those with different religions, must incorporate a common set of ethical concepts and a shared procedure for resolving issues and making judgments, all of which ethics provides. It is also understood that in these conversations moral positions on the issues
Almost a decade ago, after I had spent a year of in a discipleship program, I adopted the mission statement: Make the next right decision, and promptly admit when I’m wrong. To me this statement encompasses everything I know about applying Christian ethics to everyday life. Motivated by love, I seek to act in holiness and justice in every choice I make, including admitting promptly when I choose wrong. To make the best decisions possible I apply a biblical perspective, and ethical evaluation toward sound reasoning in recognition of both the spiritual and natural world.
Livingston opens his discussion about ethics by introducing the question “how are we to live in relation to the Sacred and our fellow human beings?” (Livingston 259). There are three traditional ways of thinking about and approaching philosophical ethics: deontological ethics, teleological ethics, and virtue ethics. Furthermore, there are three sources and norms from which moral authority can be drawn. Those sources are cosmic or natural law, moral exemplars and ethical prophets, and the divine command theory.
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a subject of philosophy that engages itself in systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong. It investigates questions of right and wrong and of the best way of living for people. In this essay I am going to explain the differences between the ethical schools of consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics and argue that in my opinion deontology is the most reasonable theory of the three.