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To alter the belief that some people have that the only source of morality is religion.
Thesis:
Morality is a complex fixture of modern humanity that is created through a combination
of innate and external motivations and constructs and is not, as some believe, solely
derived from religion.
What is morality?
Morality is the system through which we determine right and wrong conduct -- i.e., the
guide to good or right conduct.
Ethics is the philosophical study of Morality.
o Explaining the difference between morality and ethics will clarify the exact
definition of morality—what I am discussing in this paper. The two are often
incorrectly used interchangeably.
The philosophy of morality is not so much about which actions are right and which ones
are wrong, as it is about what makes actions right or wrong. What are some theories of
morality’s source?
o “What makes morality right and wrong” is part of the internal or external drive
motivations debate.
What creates morality?
Possible sources include- Culture, religion, feelings, pain and pleasure, interests,
rationality, rights, relationships, and character
Moral Subjectivism- Right and wrong is determined by what you -- the subject -- just
happens to think (or 'feel') is right or wrong.
Cultural Relativism- Right and wrong is determined by the particular set of principles or
rules the relevant culture just happens to hold at the time.
Ethical Egoism- Right and wrong is determined by what is in your self-interest. Or, it is
immoral to act contrary to your self-interest.
Divine Command Theory- Many claim that there is a necessary connection between
morality and religion, such that, without religion (in particular, without God or gods)
there is no morality, i.e., no right and wrong behavior.
Virtue Ethics- Right and wrong are characterized in terms of acting in accordance with
the traditional virtues -- making the good person.
Feminist Ethics- Right and wrong is to be found in womens' responses to the
relationship of caring.
Utilitarianism- Right and wrong is determined by the overall goodness (utility) of the
consequences of action. Utilitarianism is a Consequentialist moral theory.
Kantian Theory- Right and wrong is determined by rationality, giving universal
duties. Kantianism is a Non-consequentialist moral theory.
Rights-based Theories- We are to act in accordance with a set of moral rights, which we
possess simply by being human.
Contractarianism- The principles of right and wrong (or Justice) are those which
everyone in society would agree upon in forming a social contract.
o These help explain the multitude of theories that people have had for ages about
the sources of morality and the confusion about which is right.
The religious conservatives have morally failed because they ended up doing everything
that they once condemned as unjust and cruel. The religious conservatives have become
corrupted by power. But power corrupts more easily when you have neither principles
nor integrity.
“there should be no religion without morality.” –Mustafa Cagrici (Prominent theologian
and former mufti of Istanbul)
“Religion… can be a source of self-education, or it can be a source of self-glorification”
“assuming that you are already moral and virtuous simply because you identify with a
particular religion is” dangerous
Abiding by a legal code makes the believer feel upright in the eyes of God, even if she or
he is immoral when dealing with fellow human beings.
o Shows that religion isn’t the soul source of morality because it can be used as an
excuse for immorality
What are other influencing factors?
This second study replicated the God Effect, but it also revealed a comparable legal
institutions effect. Participants in [the legally primed] group proved just as generous as
those who had had religious concepts primed.
A picture of two eyes on the wall, as opposed to a picture of flowers, was, for example,
sufficient to significantly increase the payments for drinks in a lounge using the honor
system. Religious concepts have what it takes to inspire better conduct, but the eyes have
it too.
o Shows proven techniques that work just as well as religion