Morality in the Modern World
Area 1:
The Relationship
between Religion and
Moral Values
Area 1 Overview
The Relationship Between Religion and Moral Values
a) Euthyphro Dilemma
b) Religious Morality
- Moral autonomy / moral heteronomy
- Golden Rule
- Interpretations of Sacred Scripture
c) Utilitarian and Kantian Ethics
- Utilitarianism
- Immanuel Kant
Area 1 Overview
The Relationship Between Religion and Moral Values
a) Euthyphro Dilemma
b) Religious Morality
- Moral autonomy / moral heteronomy
- Golden Rule
- Interpretations of Sacred Scripture
c) Utilitarian and Kantian Ethics
- Utilitarianism
Sections in red will be
- Immanuel Kant
completed after the prelim
Lesson Aim
 Today we will be learning about moral
autonomy and moral heteronomy
Area 1:
Relationship Between Religion and Moral Values
a) Euthyphro Dilemma
b) Religious Morality
- Moral autonomy / moral heteronomy
- Golden Rule
- Interpretations of Sacred Scripture
c) Utilitarian and Kantian Ethics
- Utilitarianism
- Immanuel Kant

Any idea what moral autonomy might be?



The word auto means self
The word autonomy means to self-govern
It comes from the Greek autonomiā
which literally translates as independence
Moral Autonomy



Moral autonomy is all about using reason
to work out what is right and wrong and not
simply follow a set of rules.
It means doing things your own way.
Independently.
It means that your values are not linked to
any kinds of religious belief or founded on
any religious principles.
So how does moral
autonomy work?


Autonomy is based on reason.
Basically this means thinking things
through and coming up with a
decision.
Autonomy: pros and cons


Using reason to make a moral decision is
seen by many as the best way – because
you take account of as many things as
possible and make your decision based on
all the facts while staying flexible about
the choice you make.
Others think it is too flexible and reduces
right and wrong to whims, likes and
dislikes.
Discussion

Does reason
seem to you like
a good way to
make moral
decisions?
Group Work: Collect a
Worksheet

Step 1: Select two moral
problems, and use your reason
to decide what you would do.

Step 2: Discuss what decision

Step 3: Write a few sentences
you would make by following the
table
summarising what this tells you
about moral decision making
Discussion Point


Can we be ever be fully autonomous in
our moral decision making?
Do we often make truly independent
decisions?
How Might Christians Feel
About Autonomy?
How Might Christians Feel
About Autonomy?



This totally depends on what kind of
Christian you are.
Some Christians feel that autonomy is a
problem and only God should be our
guide for making moral decisions.
Others say that making decisions
ourselves is exactly what God wants us to
do! Christians should use the Bible,
community and traditions as well as
reason to make decisions.
Arguments for Moral Autonomy
– Moral autonomy is based on
your own reasoned thought
and is more likely to produce
good moral decisions than just
blindly following a religion.
– God gave us intelligence and a
conscience – he expects us to
use them.
Religious Morality
Moral Heteronomy:

Any idea what this might mean???
Religious Morality
Moral Heteronomy:

The word hetero comes from Greek
and means 'different'
Religious Morality
Moral Heteronomy:
The word hetero comes from Greek
and means 'different'
 Morality is heteronomous if it is
dependent upon something else
 In this context, it refers to morality
that is dependent upon religion

Moral Heteronomy
 Moral heteronomy is dependent upon
religious beliefs
Christianity on Heteronomy


Christians are comfortable with
this. They would argue that God
directs them towards doing the
right thing through the scriptures,
prayer and other traditions.
Christians are also supported by
the Christian community to help
make decisions. This means
Christians do not feel isolated and
can get support.
Discussion

How might
thinking
‘What would
Jesus do?’ be
helpful
/unhelpful for
a Christian
when making
a moral
decision?
Arguments for Moral Heteronomy
– If God has given us guidance we
ought to follow it.
– Makes use of centuries of wisdom
and experience.
– We are less likely to be selfish or
arrogant if we allow ourselves to
be guided by someone else

Here are 3 slides for you to take
notes from.....
Copy the following...
Moral
Values
are…
The guide
to moral
decision
making is
…
Moral
Autonomy
Moral Heteronomy
independent
of religious
belief.
grounded in
religious
belief.
human
reason
alone.
religious belief, and
the interpretation of
sacred writings
guided by faith,
tradition and reason.
Arguments for Moral Autonomy
Copy the following...
– Moral autonomy is based on
your own reasoned thought
and is more likely to produce
good moral decisions than just
blindly following a religion.
– God gave us intelligence and a
conscience – he expects us to
use them.
Arguments for Moral Heteronomy
Copy the following...
– If God has given us guidance we
ought to follow it.
– Makes use of centuries of wisdom
and experience.
– We are less likely to be selfish or
arrogant if we allow ourselves to
be guided by someone else
In Your Jotters...


Are you morally autonomous or morally
heteronomous? Or perhaps a bit of
both?
Write a paragraph describing which
view best describes your own morality.
Read p74

Complete the tasks
Extension Qs

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Can ethics ever be completely separate
from religion?
What might people look to for moral
authority if they are atheist/agnostic?
What are the sources of moral authority
for religious ethics?