Liberty University PHIL 201
Module Week 8 Study
Guide Lesson 23 solutions answers right
Study Guide Lesson 22
Study Guide Lesson 24
Study Guide: Lesson 23
Deontology and Christian Ethics
Lesson Overview:
In our last lesson, we explored 2 ethical theories
based on consequences. These theories hold that the morally right thing to do
is that which produces the best consequences. In this lesson, we will explore
ethical theories that are non-consequentialistic. These are called deontological theories, and they hold
that the right thing to do is not based on consequences but on obligations. Deontological
theories hold that we have a moral obligation to perform certain actions
whether or not they produce good consequences. For Christians, these
obligations are grounded in our commitment to God. We will read 3 chapters from
Holmes for this lesson. In Chapter 6, Holmes sets up a structure from which to
approach a Christian ethic and will introduce the 2 overriding principles that must
guide our thinking about moral obligations. In Chapter 7, we will explore the
different ways we can learn about our moral obligations. Finally, in Chapter 8
we will examine exactly how our obligations are grounded in our relation to
God.
Tasks:
View and take notes on the video, “A Comparison of
Consequentialism and Deontology.” While it is brief and aims mainly to orient
you to the readings, try to catch these points in the video:
·
the areas of contrast between
consequential ethics and deontological ethics
·
how the terms “right” and “good” may be
used differently in consequentialism and deontological ethics
·
how “rules” figure into both of these
types of ethics
Read Chapters 6 and 7 of Ethics: Approaching Moral Decisions: “Toward a Christian Ethic,”
and “Moral Knowledge.” As you read,
make sure to know and understand the following questions and points:
From Chapter 6:
·
What is the most important good for
Christians?
·
What 2 major principles should guide all
Christian ethics?
·
Why does Holmes believe Christian
utilitarianism fails?
·
List the 4 ingredients to Holmes’
structure for a Christian ethic.
·
List some characteristics of moral
principles in general.
·
How do love and justice relate to and
balance each other?
·
Know the distinction between an act-ethic
and a rule-ethic and why the latter is superior.
·
Why is a rule-ethic not legalism?
·
What are 2 ways deontologists normally
deal with moral dilemmas?
From Chapter 7:
·
Know the problems with appealing to common
morality, conscience, and intuition as sources for moral obligations.
·
Explain Kant’s form of deontology (duty
for duty’s sake). What are some problems with applying the categorical
imperative?
·
What are some reasons Holmes offers in
support of deriving our moral obligations from Natural Law? What are some biblical
reasons that support it?
·
Know the distinction between what is
essential to human nature and what is culturally or historically relative.
·
Know and be able to explain the 3 aspects
of Holmes’ moral reasoning for Christians.
Terms:
Make sure you fully understand the following
terms and concepts:
·
Intrinsic/Extrinsic Value
·
Love
·
Justice
·
Moral Cases
·
Area Rules
·
Moral Principles
·
Basis for Morality
·
Rule-ethic
·
Act-ethic
·
Moral Dilemma
|
·
Common Morality
·
Conscience
·
Intuitionism
·
Categorical Imperative
·
Natural Law
·
Pragmatic
·
Principlistic
·
Extrinsic Value
·
Intrinsic Value
|
Study Guide: Lesson 22
Consequentialism
Lesson Overview:
In this lesson, we explore the major ethical theories.
The first of these is consequentialism. Consequentialism is the view that says
the right thing to do is that which produces the best consequences. According
to this view, ethics is about achieving good results and therefore an action is
judged by the results it produces. For example, lying is wrong if it produces
bad results, but is right if it produces good results. We will examine 2
consequentialistic theories in the chapter. The first, egoism, says an action
is right if it produces the best consequences for me. The second,
utilitarianism, says an action is right if produces the best consequences for
all concerned.
Tasks:
Read Chapters 4 and 5 of Ethics: Approaching Moral Decisions, “Ethical Egoism” and
“Utilitarianism.” As you do, consider the following questions and points:
·
List some modern examples of egoism.
·
Explain the leap from psychological fact
to ethical ought in psychological egoism.
·
Problems with psychological egoism.
·
Butler’s argument against psychological
egoism.
·
Contrast the hedonic paradox with true
self-love.
·
Know the distinction between psychological
egoism and ethical egoism.
·
Explain Holmes’s argument for why egoism
cannot succeed as a viable ethical theory: Why does individual egoism reduce to
universal egoism? Why would universal egoism collapse into anarchy?
·
Explain Holmes’s 4 conclusions concerning
ethical egoism.
·
List 2 reasons utilitarianism is probably
the most popular ethical theory.
·
Explain Holmes’s non-consequential
argument against utilitarianism.
·
Know the distinction between Bentham and
Mill.
·
What are the problems with quantifying
pleasure?
·
Explain the “simplified” problem of
distributive justice.
·
Explain the inherent conflict between
utilitarian distributive justice and equal rights.
·
What does the empiricism that supports
utilitarianism end up saying about the value of persons?
·
How does the concept of moral integrity
criticize utilitarianism?
·
Contrast hypothetical and categorical
imperatives.
Terms:
Make sure you fully understand the following
terms and concepts:
·
Egoism
·
Hedonistic Egoism
·
Psychological Egoism
·
Hedonic Paradox
·
Ethical Egoism
·
Individual Egoism
·
Universal Egoism
|
·
Utilitarianism
·
Hedonic Calculus
·
Distributive Justice
·
Moral Integrity
·
Hypothetical Imperative
·
Categorical Imperative
|
Study
Guide: Lesson 24
Virtue Ethics
Lesson Overview:
Up until now, we have been concentrating on actions. What is the
right thing to do? Consequentialists
say the right thing to do is that which produces the best consequences.
Deontologists say the right thing to do is that which fulfills our moral
obligations. However, many ethicists believe that we are asking the wrong
question. The question we should be asking is, “What kind of person do I want
to be?” Rather than concentrating on the right thing to do, we should be
concentrating on becoming virtuous people. Virtuous people are those who have
developed moral characteristics as part of the fabric of their being and
therefore consistently live morally upright lives. In our final lesson in this
unit, we will explore the tradition of virtue ethics.
Tasks:
Read Chapter 14 of Ethics:
Approaching Moral Decisions, “Virtue Ethics” and Chapter 13 (just the
section “Our Telos: The Highest Good”). As you read, make sure you understand
and can explain the following points and questions:
- List and explain
Alasdair MacIntyre’s three objections to the 19th (and 20th)
century conception of “moral science” (From Chapter 13).
·
Explain Aristotle’s concept of relating the
moral life to a goal (telos) and how
it relates to Christianity (this is important to understanding the basis for
virtue ethics).
·
Explain how virtue ethics allows a place for
motives and intentions to play a part in morality that deontology may ignore.
·
How are virtues acquired, and how do they
affect our moral decision making and behavior?
·
How do virtues relate to God?
·
How does Holmes answer the question of the
relativity or diversity of different virtues within different communities or
traditions?
·
Explain Aristotle’s concept of virtue as a
means between excess and deficiency.
·
How does Aristotle view character development?
·
Contrast the 2 views of character development
that arose in the 19th century: rational vs. passions and desire.
Why does Holmes favor the latter?
·
What is the main problem with Freud’s
deterministic view of character development?
·
What does Aquinas say we need along with
habituation of the virtues?
·
Explain Stanley Hauerwas’ emphasis on the need
for community in character development.
Terms:
Make
sure you fully understand the following terms and concepts:
·
Telos (See
page 128)
·
Eudiamonia (See
page 128)
·
Virtue
|
·
Plato’s 4 Cardinal Virtues
·
Aquinas 3 Theological Virtues
·
Vice
|
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