The Relationship
between Religion and
Moral Values
Religious Morality
MORALITY IN THE MODERN
WORLD
Area 1: The Relationship between Religion and Moral Values

Introduction (pp. 1-7)
– The Euthyphro Dilemma ‘Are actions ‘good’ simply because the gods
command them or do the gods command certain actions because they
are ‘good’?’

Religious Morality (pp. 8-21)
– Moral values are grounded in religious belief
– The interpretation of sacred writings guided by faith, tradition and/or
reason

Utilitarian Ethics (pp. 29-33)
– Act and Rule utilitarianism
– Principle of the greatest good

Kantian Ethics (pp. 34-37)
– Categorical imperative
– Universal maxim
– Respect of persons
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. In
fact autonomy literally means being a law
unto yourself.
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.
It can involve thinking about…
…








The best action to take in this situation, at this time,
for this person.
The best motivation.
The best outcome.
The best outcome for the majority even at the
expense of the minority.
General rules about right and wrong that can be
applied to the situation.
How flexible our ideas about right and wrong should
be.
Moral absolutism / moral relativism.
Self-interest / the interests of others.
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?
Autonomy put to the test


Aim to use reason to come
up with a moral choice
which everyone agrees with
to the Baboonian dilemma.
Baboonia is a relatively new
country that lies on the
banks of the South Pacific
River, just off Nepal.
The Baboonian dilemma

The government of Baboonia has
decided that people are living too
long. It can no longer afford to look
after its ageing population. So, it
come up with a solution. Everyone
will have their every need provided for
by the government up until the age of
30. Life will be sweet in every
respect. No one will be cold, hungry
or have to do without anything in life.
The Baboonian dilemma
(continued)


The price which will have
to be paid for this is that
when you get to 30 you
have to be killed.
Have the Baboonians got
the right idea?
Some viewpoints on
Autonomy

An important part of this course is the
ability to think about issues from
different viewpoints both religious and
independent of religious belief. Here
are three to get us started:
Christianity, Buddhism and Humanism.
Christianity on Autonomy



Totally depends on what kind of Christian
you are.
Some say that autonomy is a problem
and only God should be the source of
moral decisions.
Others say that making decisions
ourselves is what God wants us to do.
Christians should use the Bible,
community and traditions as well as
reason to make decisions.
Buddhism on Autonomy



The Buddha himself said you should try
his teaching out for yourself and if they
don’t work for you should try something
else.
Buddhism is all about your own efforts
to strive towards enlightenment.
Buddhists also have the principle of
skilful means that what is right
depends on the situation, the people
involved, what you think the outcomes
might be and so on. There are no set
rules.
Humanism on Autonomy



For Humanists there is nothing guiding
you, just you, so moral autonomy is
what it’s all about. The ability to make
moral decisions is part of what makes us
human and something we should
celebrate.
Humanists believe in equality, fairness,
justice and that human life is precious
and worthy of protection.
They decide what’s best based on what
will be best for human society.
Time Out: Think, Pair and
Share
 What
are the
major similarities
and differences
in these three
ways of making
moral decisions?
Religious Morality
Heteronomy:
Moral
values are grounded in
religious belief.
Moral Heteronomy


Basing your moral decisions on a
range of different things and not
just acting as a law unto
yourself.
This might involve working with
others to arrive at a choices or
basing your decisions on many
sources of guidance or
information.
Moral Heteronomy (cont.)


You still make the decisions for
yourself but you do so in the context
of some other sources of guidance
from outside yourself.
You are more likely to appeal to an
outside set of beliefs and morals, such
as those found within religions.
Christianity on Heteronomy


Christians are comfortable with
this. They would argue that God
directs them towards doing the
right thing through 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?
Buddhism on Heteronomy


For Buddhists, faith is built around
taking ‘refuge’ in the Buddha (the role
model), the dhamma (his teachings)
and the sangha (the community).
Each decision is yours, but Buddhists
believe the teachings and example of
the Buddha help to guide you and the
sangha can support and encourage
you. In the end though, it’s down to
you.
Humanism on Heteronomy


Humanists are like Buddhists in the sense
that they don’t make decisions about right
and wrong in isolation. Humanists consult
others, learn lessons from human history
and match up what they think with
documents from organisations like the
United Nations.
The Humanist community worldwide also
have shared moral values and these can
help, just as scriptures and religious
leaders can help guide religious people.
Time Out: Think, Pair and
Share


How would this article in
the UN Declaration of
Human Rights guide
moral decision-making?
Article 3
– Everyone has the right
to life, liberty and
security of person.
Check Your Notes



Here’s a tune and the PowerPoint
again.
Check your notes and make sure they
are accurate.
Take a note of any questions you want
to ask me.
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. In
fact autonomy literally means being a law
unto yourself.
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.
It can involve thinking about…
…








The best action to take in this situation, at this time,
for this person.
The best motivation.
The best outcome.
The best outcome for the majority even at the
expense of the minority.
General rules about right and wrong that can be
applied to the situation.
How flexible our ideas about right and wrong should
be.
Moral absolutism / moral relativism.
Self-interest / the interests of others.
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.
Christianity on Autonomy



Totally depends on what kind of Christian
you are.
Some say that autonomy is a problem
and only God should be the source of
moral decisions.
Others say that making decisions
ourselves is what God wants us to do.
Christians should use the Bible,
community and traditions as well as
reason to make decisions.
Buddhism on Autonomy



The Buddha himself said you should try
his teaching out for yourself and if they
don’t work for you should try something
else.
Buddhism is all about your own efforts
to strive towards enlightenment.
Buddhists also have the principle of
skilful means that what is right
depends on the situation, the people
involved, what you think the outcomes
might be and so on. There are no set
rules.
Humanism on Autonomy



For Humanists there is nothing guiding
you, just you, so moral autonomy is
what it’s all about. The ability to make
moral decisions is part of what makes us
human and something we should
celebrate.
Humanists believe in equality, fairness,
justice and that human life is precious
and worthy of protection.
They decide what’s best based on what
will be best for human society.
Religious Morality
Heteronomy:
Moral
values are grounded in
religious belief.
Moral Heteronomy


Basing your moral decisions on a
range of different things and not
just acting as a law unto
yourself.
This might involve working with
others to arrive at a choices or
basing your decisions on many
sources of guidance or
information.
Moral Heteronomy (cont.)


You still make the decisions for
yourself but you do so in the context
of some other sources of guidance
from outside yourself.
You are more likely to appeal to an
outside set of beliefs and morals, such
as those found within religions.
Christianity on Heteronomy


Christians are comfortable with
this. They would argue that God
directs them towards doing the
right thing through 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.
Buddhism on Heteronomy


For Buddhists, faith is built around
taking ‘refuge’ in the Buddha (the role
model), the dhamma (his teachings)
and the sangha (the community).
Each decision is yours, but Buddhists
believe the teachings and example of
the Buddha help to guide you and the
sangha can support and encourage
you. In the end though, it’s down to
you.
Humanism on Heteronomy


Humanists are like Buddhists in the sense
that they don’t make decisions about right
and wrong in isolation. Humanists consult
others, learn lessons from human history
and match up what they think with
documents from organisations like the
United Nations.
The Humanist community worldwide also
have shared moral values and these can
help, just as scriptures and religious
leaders can help guide religious people.
Any Questions?
MORALITY IN THE MODERN
WORLD
Area 1: The Relationship between Religion and Moral Values

Introduction (pp. 1-7)
– The Euthyphro Dilemma ‘Are actions ‘good’ simply because the gods
command them or do the gods command certain actions because they
are ‘good’?’

Religious Morality (pp. 8-21)
– Moral values are grounded in religious belief
– The interpretation of sacred writings guided by faith, tradition and/or
reason

Utilitarian Ethics (pp. 29-33)
– Act and Rule utilitarianism
– Principle of the greatest good

Kantian Ethics (pp. 34-37)
– Categorical imperative
– Universal maxim
– Respect of persons