Religion & Morality

Definitions

The Foundation for Morality

• Many people claim that religion is the foundation for all morality.
• In this way, it is religion that teaches people what is good or right or praiseworthy.
• For some religious traditions, the phrase "obey the commands of God" expresses the highest standard of the moral life.
• But this claim raises the key questions (first posed by Socrates): "Do the gods love the good because it is good, or is it good because the gods love it?"

Defining Morality

Priority of Religion or Morality?

• Religion and morality are interconnected, but religion and morality can also conflict.
• If such conflicts occur, which is to have priority?

Abraham

Soren Kiekegaard

• Kierkegaard analyzed the story of Abraham as a paradox between Abraham's two "loves" – his son and God.
• Abraham was (evidently) willing to sacrifice his son at God's command, which indicates that his love of God took priority.
• Thus, Abraham was a true "knight of faith."
• Abraham's love for God is an example of the religious point of view taking priority over the moral.

Immanuel Kant

• Kant takes the opposite position of Kierkegaard.
• Kant argued that if anyone thinks he or she hears a command like that of Abraham's, it is obligatory to ignore or renounce that directive.
• Thus, the positions of Kant and Kierkegaard present two sides of the questions about which should take priority, religion or morality, in cases of conflict.
• Overview of Categorical Imperative 1st formulation of which is: "Act only in such a way that one can at the same time will that it should become a universal law."

Ethics

• What does it mean to live well?
• Is a given course of action right or wrong?
• What standards should be used in evaluating particular acts or the persons who engage in them?
• Discussion of moral justification for bombing Syria

Justification

• justification – or reasons for action
• practical justification = advancing reasons in support of a particular action
• religious reasons may or may not be advanced

Deontological Approach to Opposing legal and safe abortions

• δεοn = "necessary, or duty"
• An appeal to duty.
• one ought to do something regardless of the consequences

10 c's

Conditional Commandments Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 8:1

Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the LORD promised on oath to your ancestors.

Teleological Approach to Opposing legal and safe abortions

• τελος = "end" or "goal"
• An appeal to consequences.