religion exam notes
Religion Exam Notes
Unit 1
Chapter 1 Introductory Notes
Ethics (theoretical)
Comes from the Greek word ta ethika, meaning good character.
A discipline that deals with the nature of the good, the nature of the human person, and criteria that we use for making right judgement.
It is a standard code of behaviour.
The Three Main Theories of the Study of Ethics:
1. Normative Theories: the theories of morals and morality which is further divided into three categories:
a) Theories of action: deal with questions about how people should act and why.
b) Theories of character: they are sometimes called virtue theories because they deal with character traits that are good and bad. For example, courage and wisdom are considered morally good.
c) Theories of value: deal with questions about people’s values. For example, what is justice? Injustice?
2. Metaethics: involves examining the meaning of the terms when exploring ethical questions, as well as the methods used to carry out the exploration. It also explores how, and in what sense, ethical judgments can be justified. For example, a metaethicist will explore the meaning of the word. “should”, before attempting to answer the question, “what should I do?”
3. Applied Ethics: refers to the application of normative theories to ethical dilemmas of human life (i.e. business, sports, medicine).
Morality (practical)
Comes from the Latin, moralitas, meaning manners, customs, habits that shape human life.
A system of right conduct based on fundamental beliefs and obligation to follow certain codes, norms, customs and habits of behaviour.
It focuses more on human actions or ways we, humans, can attain the good through rules, laws, commandments, etc.
It is a personal code of behaviour.
The Four Types of Morality:
1. Subjective Morality: what an individual believes to be right or wrong (my feelings, my views, my world).
2. Objective Morality: the idea that there are certain absolute rights and wrongs independent of
Unit 1
Chapter 1 Introductory Notes
Ethics (theoretical)
Comes from the Greek word ta ethika, meaning good character.
A discipline that deals with the nature of the good, the nature of the human person, and criteria that we use for making right judgement.
It is a standard code of behaviour.
The Three Main Theories of the Study of Ethics:
1. Normative Theories: the theories of morals and morality which is further divided into three categories:
a) Theories of action: deal with questions about how people should act and why.
b) Theories of character: they are sometimes called virtue theories because they deal with character traits that are good and bad. For example, courage and wisdom are considered morally good.
c) Theories of value: deal with questions about people’s values. For example, what is justice? Injustice?
2. Metaethics: involves examining the meaning of the terms when exploring ethical questions, as well as the methods used to carry out the exploration. It also explores how, and in what sense, ethical judgments can be justified. For example, a metaethicist will explore the meaning of the word. “should”, before attempting to answer the question, “what should I do?”
3. Applied Ethics: refers to the application of normative theories to ethical dilemmas of human life (i.e. business, sports, medicine).
Morality (practical)
Comes from the Latin, moralitas, meaning manners, customs, habits that shape human life.
A system of right conduct based on fundamental beliefs and obligation to follow certain codes, norms, customs and habits of behaviour.
It focuses more on human actions or ways we, humans, can attain the good through rules, laws, commandments, etc.
It is a personal code of behaviour.
The Four Types of Morality:
1. Subjective Morality: what an individual believes to be right or wrong (my feelings, my views, my world).
2. Objective Morality: the idea that there are certain absolute rights and wrongs independent of