Biology 2
Ethics
Arguments
What is Ethics [Moral Philosophy]?
The branch of philosophy which deals with questions about:
Good & Bad, Right & Wrong, “Should’s” & “Should not’s”
[Value, Rights, Responsibility, etc.]
Ethical Theory
What is morality? What does it mean to say something is ‘good,’ ‘right,’ etc?
How do we know [or can we know] what is right or good?
Which kinds of things [actions, motives, consequences] are morally right or wrong, good or bad?
Applied Ethics
Which actual things [actions, motives, consequences] are morally right or wrong, good or bad?
The question/formation of ethical principles & rules.
[P: Causing needless pain is wrong. R: Do not kick people.]
Application of principles and rules to specific situations.
Where is the point of significance?
Motive
Act
Consequences
1 Sam 16:7 “…man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”
Romans 2:28-29
Matt 5:21-22; 27-28
Moral Rules
Universal Rules
All lying is wrong
Qualified Rules
Some lies are wrong
Problem
Qualified but Universal
Some lies are wrong
This act is an act of lying
 This act is wrong
[invalid]
All lies are wrong, except to prevent harm
All lies are wrong, except to prevent harm
This act is a lie, and it was not to prevent harm
This act is wrong
Religion and Ethics
Broader issue: What grounds ethics? What is the foundation? Where do the why’s stop?
That act of kicking is
wrong.
Kicking is wrong.
Causing needless pain is
wrong.
???
For you to have an
abortion is wrong.
Abortion is wrong.
Killing the innocent is
wrong.
Life is sacred.
???
For me to have an abortion
is OK.
Abortion is permissible.
The right to choose.
Freedom is an inalienable
right.
???
Where does the most basic principle come from?
A Christian Worldview:
– revelation
– God’s nature [not “just because God said so”]
 Some will say that religion is really no better than relativism; that we just accept religious
rules “by faith” without any good reason. Christians would [should!] say that there are rational
reasons for accepting revelation; for knowing who God is and why good & right are defined by
His very nature.
Moral principals in a Christian worldview
 Love God
 Honor God—and not other gods
 Love your neighbor
 The sanctity of life—humans are created in the image of God
 Honor your parents
 Honesty
 Fidelity
Moral rules in a Christian worldview
Rules against:
 Idolatry
 Murder
 Adultery
 Deceit
 Coveting





Stealing
Drunkenness
Sexual immorality
Envy
Slander