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Christian Living Education IV

Ethics is that branch of philosophy concerned with questions of right and wrong with respect to human actions. Normative /Descriptive Ethics seeks to ascertain what is right or wrong in itself. Prescriptive / Comparative Ethics studies how man acts morally in conformity with the existing values of society. ______________________________________ Morality Definitions: Franz Bockle Morality is a search of free human conduct in the light of revelation. Antonin Sertillanges Morality is a science of what man ought to be by reason of what he is. Michael Pennock Morality is a response to Gods freely given love and his gift of salvation offered to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. Bernard Haring Morality is creative responsibility. ______________________________________ Different Notions of Morality Epicureanism- that which god is pleasure. Epicurus believes that a person must enjoy to the fullest all the comforts of life. Utilitarianism according to this theory, the morality of an action is determined solely by its consequences.

Moral Laxism laxism values the freedom of a person. Freedom is goodness. Marxism For Karl Marx, goodness is not related to God since there is no God. For him, God is simply an invention of the mind. Achievement of Perfection to be perfect is for man to attain his true potential towards goodness. Obedience to the Law the law specifies the goodness that man has to do, that is if the law in accordance to Gods will (lawful rather than legal). Imitation of Christ imitating Christ is not merely imitating his actions but obeying his will. Love the highest good. It was through the love of God that we now exist. ______________________________________ Kohlbergs Law of Moral development Level One: Pre-conventional especially common in children, although adults can also exhibit this level of reasoning(egocentric). Stage One (Obedience and Punishment driven) Individuals focus on the direct consequences of their actions on themselves. For example, an action is perceived as morally wrong if the perpetrator is punished. Stage Two (Self-interest driven) Right behavior is defined by whatever is in the individuals best interest.

Level Two: conventional the morality of an action is judged by comparing these to societys views and expectations. Stage Three (Interpersonal Accord and Conformity driven) The self enters society by filling social roles. Individuals are receptive to approval or disapproval from others as it reflects societys accordance with the perceived role. Stage Four (Authority and Social Order Obedience driven) It is important to obey laws, dictums and social conventions because of their importance in maintaining a functioning society. Moral reasoning is thus beyond the need for individual approval. Level Three: Post-conventional there is a growing realization that individuals are separate entities from society, and that individuals own perspective should have precedence over societys view. Stage Five (Social Contract driven) Individuals are viewed as holding different opinions and values. Stage Six (Universal Ethical Principles driven) States that moral reasoning must be based on abstract reasoning using universal ethical principles.

Morality According to Philosophers Socrates No one ever deliberately chooses evil. This does not mean that no one ever does wrong, but rather than chooses the opposite of what he considers good for himself. Plato The good life of man is one wherein the goods of the body are only means to the enjoyment of the goods of the soul. Aristotle Happiness is the highest good of man. Thomas Hobbes Establishments of societies is based on a Social Contract. All men are naturally selfish. In the state of nature, possesses an unlimited right. David Hume Christian virtues such as humility are degrading. Reason is and ought to be slave of passions. Immanuel Kant moral philosophy begins with the human will. Everything in nature works according to the laws. John Stuart Mill Utilitarianism states that a good act is that which provides for the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Friedrich Nietzsche the individuals has the right to steer his own destiny, unfettered by outmoded moral percepts. Values are what we create. Nothing is right or wrong except what is ale to prevail, and that you have as much right to prevail as anyone else. Jean-Paul Sartre Man is condemned to be free. There is no such thing as human nature. Therefore, the idea that mans natural purpose is happiness, or that man is naturally selfish, or that we are naturally anything at all must be rejected.

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