Philosophy: Issues of Good and Evil Flashcards
What is morality?
Principles and standards determining which actions are right or wrong
What is conscience?
An inner voice which keeps a person on the right track and helps us make the right choice
How do people make moral decisions?
Conscience The law Religious leaders of teachings Login/Reason Past experiences Other beliefs and values
What is Absolute morality and Relative morality?
Absolute morality: when a person has a principle such as ‘it is wrong to kill’ and never alters it
Relative morality: when a person holds moral principles but is prepared to alter it in certain situations
What are the causes of crime?
Poor education Poor parenting Poverty Mental health issues Addiction Peer pressure Media Unemployment
What are Christian attitudes towards crime and punishment?
Christianity believe in forgiveness (retribution shouldn’t be an aim of punishment)
Forgiveness and punishment go hand in hand
They believe in support restorative justice programmes in prison
Jesus taught compassion
Some become prison chaplains to help prisoners reform
What does the Bible say about justice?
'’But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream’’
What are Muslim attitudes towards crime and punishment?
Shari’ah law outlines rules and punishments
Many Shari’ah law punishments are made in order to deter wrongdoers
Punishment is seen as essential in keeping people from straying
Punishment does not remove sin
Muslims hope that offenders will repent and seek forgiveness
What does the Qur’an say about justice?
'’Indeed, God orders justice and good conduct and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression’’
What is a prison chaplain and what is their role?
A minister, priest, etc
Attached to non-religious institutions such as prisons, hospitals, etc
Their job is to provide counselling for the inmate
What did Kate Johnson (Quaker and Prison chaplain) say about prison chaplains?
'’You are there primarily for the inmates… we do offer them enough compassion’’
What are Christian attitudes towards the death penalty?
Only God has the right to take a life
Execution goes against the sanctity of life
Jesus taught Christians to be compassionate and forgiving
Reform over execution
Turn the other cheek
Conservative Christians advocate the death penalty (an eye for an eye)
What does the Bible say about the death penalty?
'’Father forgive them, for they know not what they do’’
‘‘Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed’’
What are the Muslim attitudes towards the death penalty?
Islam accepts it
It should be issued for the most severe crimes
Forgiveness is important but so is the protection of the ummah (Muslim community)
Punishment is central to justice
The Qur’an forbids taking a life
What does the Qur’an say about the death penalty?
'’Nor take life- which God has made sacred, except for just cause’’
What are arguments for the death penalty?
It acts as a deterrent
It allows you to get revenge
‘‘I believe that people who go out prepared to take the lives of other people forfeit their own right to live’’ -Obama
Jonathan Vass murdered his ex girlfriend after raping her, he was jailed for 30 years
What are arguments against the death penalty?
Life is sacred, shouldn’t be ended by humans
violates basic human rights
Evidence shows that it doesn’t deter crime
It discriminates against those who are oppressed
Can be used as a political tool
‘‘I do not think that God approves of the death penalty for any crime’’ -MLK
What is a case study on forgiveness?
Julie Nicholson, 7/7 bombings in London
Her daughter died
She cannot forgive her daughter’s killers
‘‘It is very difficult for me to… lead people in words of… forgiveness when I feel very far from that myself’’
What are Christian attitudes towards forgiveness?
Christianity is a religion of forgiveness and love and compassion
The Bible instructs Christians to forgive
Christians can only accept forgiveness from the Lord if they are forgiving
Catholics believe you can be forgiven through atonement and confession
Evangelical Christians believe forgiveness of sins is granted by God
What does the Bible say about forgiveness?
'’Forgive their sins, as they forgive those who have sinned against them’’
What are Muslim attitudes towards forgiveness?
Those who forgive others will be rewarded by God
Forgiveness is the path to peace
2 types of forgiveness: God’s and human’s
Humans need both types
There is no limit to God’s mercy
God will forgive those who truly repent
Prophet Muhammad was forgiving
What does the Qur’an say about forgiveness?
'’If you pardon and overlook and forgive- then indeed God is Forgiving and Merciful’’
What is good?
Something that is considered morally right and to our advantage
What are Christian attitudes towards Good?
God created a world that is good
God also gave people free will
Free will can be used to stray from good
God has shown people how to live a good life
