RS end of year revision Flashcards
(9 cards)
CONSCIENCE
. INTERNAL-YOUR INNER RULE BOOK
.DEVELOPS AS WE GROW OLDER
.HAVE DIFFERENT CONSCIENCES DUE TO DIFFERENT LIFE EXPERIENCE
.OUR CONSCIENCE IS FALLIBLE
.CAN BE USED TO SOLVE MORAL DILEMMAS
UTILITARIANISM
. JEREMY BENTHAM 1748-1832
. DEVELOPED IN LATE 18TH CENTURY ENGLAND
. MAINLY DIRECTED AT REFORMING THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL SYSTEM(NOT MORAL PHILOSOPHY)
. DETERRENCE IS ONLY JUSTIFICATION FOR PUNISHMENT AS PUNISHMENT IS EVIL AS IT CAUSES PAIN
.TELEOLOGICAL/CONSEQUENTIALIST-IT STRESSES THE EFFECTS WHICH AN ACTION HAS (NOT MOTIVE AS IN KANT)
. NO ACTIONS ARE GOOD IN THEMSELVES
PRINCIPAL OF UTILITY-A RIGHT ACTION IS ONE THAT PRODUCES THE GREATEST HAPPINESS FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER
. IN THIS CALCULATION EVERYONE WAS EQUAL
HEDONIC CALCULUS (PLEASURE CALCULUS)
Intensity of happiness
Duration of happiness
Certainty of happiness
Remoteness of happiness
Fecundity of happiness
Purity of happiness
Extent of happiness
PROS AND CONS
CONS
.how can you foresee the results
.can we really measure pleasure or pain
.silences conscience
PROS
.judges actions by consequences
.democratic
NATURAL LAW
RULES and FOUR LEVELS OF LAW:
RULES:
.HUMANS ARE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
.WE HAVE GOD-GIVEN REASON
.A FORM OF DEONTOLOGY
.A CERTAIN ACTION IS RIGHT OR WRONG IN THEMSELVES
.A FORM OF MORAL ABSOLUTISM
.ALSO TELEOLOGICAL
.WAS CREATED BY AQUINAS
FOUR LEVELS OF LAW
.ETERNAL
.DIVINE
.NATURAL
.HUMAN
Explain the relationship between secondary and primary precepts in natural law :
In Natural Law theory, primary precepts are universal, foundational moral principles derived from human nature, while secondary precepts are specific rules derived from those primary precepts through reason. Think of it like this: primary precepts are broad guidelines (e.g., “protect human life”), and secondary precepts are the detailed instructions that help us apply those guidelines in specific situations, (e.g., “do not kill.”)
HOW a religion or religious organisation protect the environment:
Globalone (foundation)
Uk-based muslim women-led international development
How does Islam protect the environment?
Uk-based muslim women-led international development
The Foundation Globalone’s environmental protection efforts revolve around reducing its own carbon footprint, minimizing waste, and increasing the use of digital platforms. They achieve this through strategies like promoting video conferencing, public transport, and sustainable office practices, as well as partnering with carbon offsetting practices.
How does Islam protect
the environment?
. According to Islamic teachings, all living things, not just humans, have a right to share in nature’s basic elements: water, fire, wood, and light
“the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater indeed than the creation of man.”
. Forbids unnecessary and excessive exploitation of the environment.
. Prophet Muhammed said to not burn palms or crops before going into battle
. Looking after Allah’s creations is an act of charity.
What are different religious ideas on the SANCTITY OF LIFE?
Islam
. God created us all to be unique individuals
. We each have a soul which will live on with Allah after we die
. God gave us life, and only God can take that life away
Buddhism
. Each life form has the potential to become enlightened, it has Buddha nature
. All forms of life should be treated with respect
. All creation is sacred
Hinduism
. All creation is sacred
. Each life form has the potential to become enlightened, it has the essence of God
. Potential evolves over time
Sikhism
. All creation is sacred
Every form contains the essence of God
. Potential evolves over many lifetimes to reach enlightenment
Christianity
. We were made in the image of God
. Human life has dignity and should be treated with respect
Judaism
. Life should be protected, not damaged
. God created us to be unique individuals
Is utilitarianism the best way to make moral decisions ?
PROS
. Utilitarianism, with its focus on maximizing overall happiness and well-being, offers several potential advantages as a moral framework. It’s a clear and simple guide, promoting the greatest good for the greatest number, and is flexible enough to be applied in various situations.
. Clarity and simplicity, it’s easy to understand the idea that we should all act to increase general welfare.
CONS
. It fails to take into account considerations of justice
. Utilitarianism cannot make sense of individual rights
. Many find it objectionable that utilitarianism seemingly licences outrageous rights violations in certain hypothetical scenarios, killing innocent people for the greater good.
. It is thought by some philosophers that utilitarianism pays insufficient heed to rights, as well as to justice and deserts.
How do PRIMARY and secondary Precepts align?
PRIMARY
Preservation of life
Ordered society
Worship god
Educate the young
Reproduction
SECONDARY
A secondary precept can override a primary precept when a higher moral value, or a specific circumstance, dictates it. For example, while the primary precept of “preserve life” is generally upheld, a situation might arise where saving a group of innocent lives necessitates sacrificing one life, thus overriding the secondary precept of “do not kill”.
Elaboration:
Primary Precepts:
These are fundamental moral truths derived from human nature, such as the desire for self-preservation, reproduction, education, living in an ordered society, and worshipping God.
Secondary Precepts:
These are more specific moral rules derived from the primary precepts, like “do not steal” or “do not lie,” which are applications of the primary precepts to specific situations.
Overriding a Secondary Precept:
In some cases, a specific situation might demand that a secondary precept be overridden to uphold a more fundamental primary precept. For example, stealing to feed a starving child could be seen as overriding the secondary precept “do not steal” to preserve life, which is a primary precept.
The Role of Reason:
Aquinas, the philosopher who developed the natural law theory, emphasized the role of human reason in applying primary precepts to specific situations.
Example Scenarios:
Preserving Life: A doctor might choose to abort a pregnancy to save the mother’s life, even though abortion is generally considered wrong as it violates the secondary precept of “do not kill”.
Ordered Society: In a situation of war, soldiers might be required to kill enemy combatants to defend their own country and uphold the primary precept of “protect and defend”.
Releasing a Prisoner: A prisoner might be released if their imprisonment is unjust and they are likely to cause harm if held, even though releasing them goes against the secondary precept of “do not release prisoners”.
