Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies...

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Sessions 16 and 17 Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics Introduction to Ethics

Transcript of Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies...

Page 1: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

Sessions 16 and 17Sessions 16 and 17Sessions 16 and 17Sessions 16 and 17

Introduction to EthicsIntroduction to Ethics

Page 2: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

I. Introduction:I. Introduction:Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior and character, morality refers primarily to behavior and character, ethics is the discipline that tries to provide guidance ethics is the discipline that tries to provide guidance and perspective in making decisions and forming and perspective in making decisions and forming character. [It is] the systematic study of standards character. [It is] the systematic study of standards of right and wrong, justice and injustice, virtue and of right and wrong, justice and injustice, virtue and vice, with a view to applying those standards in the vice, with a view to applying those standards in the realities of our lives.realities of our lives.

Dennis P. Hollinger, Dennis P. Hollinger, Choosing the GoodChoosing the Good, 14, 14

Page 3: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

II. Understanding How Moral II. Understanding How Moral Decisions Work: The Decisions Work: The

“Ipsative” Factor“Ipsative” Factor

A. Everything is understood in contextA. Everything is understood in context

Page 4: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

II. Understanding How Moral II. Understanding How Moral Decisions Work: The Decisions Work: The

“Ipsative” Factor“Ipsative” Factor

A. Everything is understood in context

B. Values exist in hierarchy

A. Everything is understood in context

B. Values exist in hierarchy

Page 5: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

II. Understanding How Moral II. Understanding How Moral Decisions Work: The Decisions Work: The

“Ipsative” Factor“Ipsative” Factor

A. Everything is understood in context

B. Values exist in hierarchy

C. People hold similar values

A. Everything is understood in context

B. Values exist in hierarchy

C. People hold similar values

Page 6: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

II. Understanding How Moral II. Understanding How Moral Decisions Work: The Decisions Work: The

“Ipsative” Factor“Ipsative” Factor

D. The most important factor is the way similar are values are ranked

For example: Place the following values in rank order

Equality Freedom Responsibility Tolerance Self-control

D. The most important factor is the way similar are values are ranked

For example: Place the following values in rank order

Equality Freedom Responsibility Tolerance Self-control

Page 7: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

II. Understanding How Moral II. Understanding How Moral Decisions Work: The Decisions Work: The

“Ipsative” Factor“Ipsative” Factor

E. Any two values are potentially contradictory

E. Any two values are potentially contradictory

Page 8: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

II. Understanding How Moral II. Understanding How Moral Decisions Work: The Decisions Work: The

“Ipsative” Factor“Ipsative” Factor

E. Any two values are potentially contradictory

F. There are no value-free statements

E. Any two values are potentially contradictory

F. There are no value-free statements

Page 9: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

II. Understanding How Moral II. Understanding How Moral Decisions Work: The Decisions Work: The

“Ipsative” Factor“Ipsative” Factor

E. Any two values are potentially contradictory

F. There are no value-free statements

G. There is a limited and distinct number of value systems

E. Any two values are potentially contradictory

F. There are no value-free statements

G. There is a limited and distinct number of value systems

Page 10: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

II. Understanding How Moral II. Understanding How Moral Decisions Work: The Decisions Work: The

“Ipsative” Factor“Ipsative” Factor

H. Everyone orders their values, but not always in a consistent way

H. Everyone orders their values, but not always in a consistent way

Page 11: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

II. Understanding How Moral II. Understanding How Moral Decisions Work: The Decisions Work: The

“Ipsative” Factor“Ipsative” Factor

H. Everyone orders their values, but not always in a consistent way

I. It is all but impossible to add or subtract values, but they can be reordered

H. Everyone orders their values, but not always in a consistent way

I. It is all but impossible to add or subtract values, but they can be reordered

H. Everyone orders their values, but not always in a consistent way

I. It is all but impossible to add or subtract values, but they can be reordered

H. Everyone orders their values, but not always in a consistent way

I. It is all but impossible to add or subtract values, but they can be reordered

Page 12: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

III. Types of EthicsIII. Types of Ethics

A.Descriptive versus Prescriptive

1. Descriptive Ethics

A.Descriptive versus Prescriptive

1. Descriptive Ethics

Page 13: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

III. Types of EthicsIII. Types of Ethics

A.Descriptive versus Prescriptive

1. Descriptive Ethics

2. Prescriptive Ethics

A.Descriptive versus Prescriptive

1. Descriptive Ethics

2. Prescriptive Ethics

Page 14: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

III. Types of EthicsIII. Types of Ethics

A.Descriptive versus Prescriptive

1. Descriptive Ethics

2. Prescriptive Ethics

B.Philosophical

A.Descriptive versus Prescriptive

1. Descriptive Ethics

2. Prescriptive Ethics

B.Philosophical

Page 15: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

III. Types of EthicsIII. Types of Ethics

C.Professional/Specialized

1. Business

C.Professional/Specialized

1. Business

Page 16: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

III. Types of EthicsIII. Types of Ethics

C.Professional/Specialized

1. Business

2. Biomedical

C.Professional/Specialized

1. Business

2. Biomedical

Page 17: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

III. Types of EthicsIII. Types of Ethics

C.Professional/Specialized

1. Business

2. Biomedical

3. Legal

C.Professional/Specialized

1. Business

2. Biomedical

3. Legal

Page 18: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

III. Types of EthicsIII. Types of Ethics

C.Professional/Specialized

1. Business

2. Biomedical

3. Legal

4. Etc.

C.Professional/Specialized

1. Business

2. Biomedical

3. Legal

4. Etc.

Page 19: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

III. Types of EthicsIII. Types of Ethics

D.Religious

1. As a Feature of a Distinctive Religious Commitment and Way of Life

D.Religious

1. As a Feature of a Distinctive Religious Commitment and Way of Life

Page 20: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

III. Types of EthicsIII. Types of Ethics

D.Religious

1. As a Feature of a Distinctive Religious Commitment and Way of Life

2. Potential Touch-points and Tensions within the Universal and the Particular Nature of Religious Ethics

D.Religious

1. As a Feature of a Distinctive Religious Commitment and Way of Life

2. Potential Touch-points and Tensions within the Universal and the Particular Nature of Religious Ethics

Page 21: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

III. Types of EthicsIII. Types of Ethics

The great challenge for Christian ethics The great challenge for Christian ethics today is to find ways of relating a moral today is to find ways of relating a moral framework rooted in a particularistic framework rooted in a particularistic worldview to a larger society and culture worldview to a larger society and culture that have been secularized in terms of the that have been secularized in terms of the role religion plays within them.role religion plays within them.

Dennis Hollinger, Dennis Hollinger, Choosing the GoodChoosing the Good, 102, 102

Page 22: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

IV. The Distinctive Nature of IV. The Distinctive Nature of ChristianChristian Ethics Ethics

A.The Triune God of Love as the Ultimate and Definitive Foundation for Christian Ethics (1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 1 John 4:7-8)

A.The Triune God of Love as the Ultimate and Definitive Foundation for Christian Ethics (1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 1 John 4:7-8)

Page 23: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

IV. The Distinctive Nature of IV. The Distinctive Nature of ChristianChristian Ethics Ethics

B.The Centrality of Jesus Christ

1. As a Living Ethical Model (Hebrews 12:1-2)

B.The Centrality of Jesus Christ

1. As a Living Ethical Model (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Page 24: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

IV. The Distinctive Nature of IV. The Distinctive Nature of ChristianChristian Ethics Ethics

B.The Centrality of Jesus Christ

1. As a Living Ethical Model (Hebrews 12:1-2)

2. As the Embodiment of God’s Perfect Love (John 13:34-35)

B.The Centrality of Jesus Christ

1. As a Living Ethical Model (Hebrews 12:1-2)

2. As the Embodiment of God’s Perfect Love (John 13:34-35)

Page 25: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

IV. The Distinctive Nature of IV. The Distinctive Nature of ChristianChristian Ethics Ethics

B.The Centrality of Jesus Christ

1. As a Living Ethical Model (Hebrews 12:1-2)

2. As the Embodiment of God’s Perfect Love (John 13:34-35)

3. As the Redemptive Source of Transformative Power (Galatians 2:20-21)

B.The Centrality of Jesus Christ

1. As a Living Ethical Model (Hebrews 12:1-2)

2. As the Embodiment of God’s Perfect Love (John 13:34-35)

3. As the Redemptive Source of Transformative Power (Galatians 2:20-21)

Page 26: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

IV. The Distinctive Nature of IV. The Distinctive Nature of ChristianChristian Ethics Ethics

B.The Centrality of Jesus Christ

1. As a Living Ethical Model (Hebrews 12:1-2)

2. As the Embodiment of God’s Perfect Love (John 13:34-35)

3. As the Redemptive Source of Transformative Power (Galatians 2:20-21)

4. As the Goal of Christian Living (Romans 8:29; Philippians 3:7-14)

B.The Centrality of Jesus Christ

1. As a Living Ethical Model (Hebrews 12:1-2)

2. As the Embodiment of God’s Perfect Love (John 13:34-35)

3. As the Redemptive Source of Transformative Power (Galatians 2:20-21)

4. As the Goal of Christian Living (Romans 8:29; Philippians 3:7-14)

Page 27: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

IV. The Distinctive Nature of IV. The Distinctive Nature of ChristianChristian Ethics Ethics

C.The Absolute Authority of Scripture

(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

C.The Absolute Authority of Scripture

(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Page 28: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

IV. The Distinctive Nature of IV. The Distinctive Nature of ChristianChristian Ethics Ethics

C.The Absolute Authority of Scripture

(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

C.The Recognition of Both Human Finitude and Sin (Ephesians 2:1)

C.The Absolute Authority of Scripture

(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

C.The Recognition of Both Human Finitude and Sin (Ephesians 2:1)

Page 29: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

IV. The Distinctive Nature of IV. The Distinctive Nature of ChristianChristian Ethics Ethics

C.The Absolute Authority of Scripture

(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

C.The Recognition of Both Human Finitude and Sin (Ephesians 2:1)

D.Positive versus Merely Negative (Philippians 2:15-16)

C.The Absolute Authority of Scripture

(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

C.The Recognition of Both Human Finitude and Sin (Ephesians 2:1)

D.Positive versus Merely Negative (Philippians 2:15-16)

Page 30: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

IV. The Distinctive Nature of IV. The Distinctive Nature of ChristianChristian Ethics Ethics

There is a story about a schoolboy who was asked what he There is a story about a schoolboy who was asked what he thought God was like. He replied that, as far as he could thought God was like. He replied that, as far as he could make out, God was “the sort of person who is always make out, God was “the sort of person who is always snooping round to see if anyone is enjoying himself and snooping round to see if anyone is enjoying himself and trying to stop it.” And I’m afraid that is the sort of idea that trying to stop it.” And I’m afraid that is the sort of idea that the word Morality raises in a good many people’s minds: the word Morality raises in a good many people’s minds: something that interferes, something that stops you having a something that interferes, something that stops you having a good time. In reality, moral rules are directions for running good time. In reality, moral rules are directions for running the human machine. Every moral rule is there to prevent a the human machine. Every moral rule is there to prevent a breakdown, or a strain, or a friction, in the running of that breakdown, or a strain, or a friction, in the running of that machine.machine.

C. S. Lewis, C. S. Lewis, Mere ChristianityMere Christianity, 69, 69

Page 31: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

V. The Importance and V. The Importance and Difficulty of The Ethical Difficulty of The Ethical

EnterpriseEnterprise

A.The Importance of the Ethical Enterprise

1. Everyone and every society must live by some code of ethics

A.The Importance of the Ethical Enterprise

1. Everyone and every society must live by some code of ethics

Page 32: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

V. The Importance and V. The Importance and Difficulty of The Ethical Difficulty of The Ethical

EnterpriseEnterprise

Human beings, all over the earth, have this Human beings, all over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it.certain way, and cannot really get rid of it.

C. S. Lewis, C. S. Lewis, Mere ChristianityMere Christianity, 21, 21

Page 33: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

V. The Importance and V. The Importance and Difficulty of The Ethical Difficulty of The Ethical

EnterpriseEnterprise

A.The Importance of the Ethical Enterprise

2. From a Christian perspective, unethical living compromises and limits our ability to think and act in ways that honor God (Romans 1:18-32)

A.The Importance of the Ethical Enterprise

2. From a Christian perspective, unethical living compromises and limits our ability to think and act in ways that honor God (Romans 1:18-32)

Page 34: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

V. The Importance and V. The Importance and Difficulty of The Ethical Difficulty of The Ethical

EnterpriseEnterprise

Sin corrupts cognition, which leads to more sin, Sin corrupts cognition, which leads to more sin, which brings about a further corruption of the mind which brings about a further corruption of the mind and so on. The overarching point [of Romans 1] is and so on. The overarching point [of Romans 1] is clear: immoral behavior undermines one’s ability to clear: immoral behavior undermines one’s ability to think straight, at least about certain issues. From think straight, at least about certain issues. From these passages, it appears the key subjects about these passages, it appears the key subjects about which the depraved mind is blinded are God, ethics, which the depraved mind is blinded are God, ethics, and certain aspects of human nature.and certain aspects of human nature.

James S. Spiegel, James S. Spiegel, The Making of an AtheistThe Making of an Atheist, 54, 54

Page 35: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

V. The Importance and V. The Importance and Difficulty of The Ethical Difficulty of The Ethical

EnterpriseEnterprise

A.The Importance of the Ethical Enterprise

3. Ethics provide hope and direction for the good life in the midst of our aimless, despairing, and sin-damaged world (John 10:10; 1 Peter 3:15)

A.The Importance of the Ethical Enterprise

3. Ethics provide hope and direction for the good life in the midst of our aimless, despairing, and sin-damaged world (John 10:10; 1 Peter 3:15)

Page 36: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

V. The Importance and V. The Importance and Difficulty of The Ethical Difficulty of The Ethical

EnterpriseEnterprise

Such is the tragi-comedy of our situation—Such is the tragi-comedy of our situation—we continue to clamour for those very qualities we continue to clamour for those very qualities we are rendering impossible. . . . We laugh at we are rendering impossible. . . . We laugh at honour and are shocked to find traitors in our honour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful.fruitful.

C. S. Lewis, C. S. Lewis, The Abolition of ManThe Abolition of Man, 35, 35

Page 37: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

V. The Importance and V. The Importance and Difficulty of The Ethical Difficulty of The Ethical

EnterpriseEnterprise

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

1. The Problem of Corruption

a. The Corruption of Human Sin (Romans 1:18-32)

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

1. The Problem of Corruption

a. The Corruption of Human Sin (Romans 1:18-32)

Page 38: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

V. The Importance and V. The Importance and Difficulty of The Ethical Difficulty of The Ethical

EnterpriseEnterprise

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

1. The Problem of Corruption

a. The Corruption of Human Sin (Romans 1:18-32)

b. The Corruption of the World (1 John 2:15-17)

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

1. The Problem of Corruption

a. The Corruption of Human Sin (Romans 1:18-32)

b. The Corruption of the World (1 John 2:15-17)

Page 39: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

V. The Importance and V. The Importance and Difficulty of The Ethical Difficulty of The Ethical

EnterpriseEnterprise

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

1. The Problem of Corruption

a. The Corruption of Human Sin (Romans 1:18-32)

b. The Corruption of the World (1 John 2:15-17)

c. The Corruption of the Devil (2 Corinthians 4:3-4, 11:3)

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

1. The Problem of Corruption

a. The Corruption of Human Sin (Romans 1:18-32)

b. The Corruption of the World (1 John 2:15-17)

c. The Corruption of the Devil (2 Corinthians 4:3-4, 11:3)

Page 40: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

V. The Importance and V. The Importance and Difficulty of The Ethical Difficulty of The Ethical

EnterpriseEnterprise

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

2. The Problem of Complexity

a. Some contemporary ethical problems are not directly addressed in scripture

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

2. The Problem of Complexity

a. Some contemporary ethical problems are not directly addressed in scripture

Page 41: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

V. The Importance and V. The Importance and Difficulty of The Ethical Difficulty of The Ethical

EnterpriseEnterprise

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

2. The Problem of Complexity

a. Some contemporary ethical problems are not directly addressed in scripture

b. In some ethical situations, there appear to be competing ethical values

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

2. The Problem of Complexity

a. Some contemporary ethical problems are not directly addressed in scripture

b. In some ethical situations, there appear to be competing ethical values

Page 42: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

V. The Importance and V. The Importance and Difficulty of The Ethical Difficulty of The Ethical

EnterpriseEnterprise

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

2. The Problem of Complexity

a. Some contemporary ethical problems are not directly addressed in scripture

b. In some ethical situations, there appear to be competing ethical values

c. In some ethical situations, there appear to be competing ethical responsibilities

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

2. The Problem of Complexity

a. Some contemporary ethical problems are not directly addressed in scripture

b. In some ethical situations, there appear to be competing ethical values

c. In some ethical situations, there appear to be competing ethical responsibilities

Page 43: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

V. The Importance and V. The Importance and Difficulty of The Ethical Difficulty of The Ethical

EnterpriseEnterprise

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

2. The Problem of Complexity

d. Our human finitude limits our ability to know all the pertinent factors in making the right ethical decision, especially in large and complex systems

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

2. The Problem of Complexity

d. Our human finitude limits our ability to know all the pertinent factors in making the right ethical decision, especially in large and complex systems

Page 44: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

V. The Importance and V. The Importance and Difficulty of The Ethical Difficulty of The Ethical

EnterpriseEnterprise

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

2. The Problem of Complexity

d. Our human finitude limits our ability to know all the pertinent factors in making the right ethical decision, especially in large and complex systems

e. There is always a concrete cultural component (i.e., a context) that both complicates as well as confers important resources for ethical living

B.The Difficulty of the Ethical Enterprise

2. The Problem of Complexity

d. Our human finitude limits our ability to know all the pertinent factors in making the right ethical decision, especially in large and complex systems

e. There is always a concrete cultural component (i.e., a context) that both complicates as well as confers important resources for ethical living

Page 45: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

VI. VI. ConclusionConclusion::The Perennial Promise, Power, The Perennial Promise, Power, and Presence of God and His and Presence of God and His Word in Pursuing the Ethical Word in Pursuing the Ethical

Life (Hebrews 4:12; 13:5)Life (Hebrews 4:12; 13:5)

1.1. God as the God as the GroundGround of Ethics (1 John 4:7-8): of Ethics (1 John 4:7-8):

Page 46: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

VI. VI. ConclusionConclusion::The Perennial Promise, Power, The Perennial Promise, Power, and Presence of God and His and Presence of God and His Word in Pursuing the Ethical Word in Pursuing the Ethical

Life (Hebrews 4:12; 13:5)Life (Hebrews 4:12; 13:5)

1.1. God as the God as the GroundGround of Ethics (1 John 4:7-8): of Ethics (1 John 4:7-8):2.2. God as the God as the NormNorm of Ethics (Matthew 5-7): of Ethics (Matthew 5-7):

Page 47: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

VI. VI. ConclusionConclusion::The Perennial Promise, Power, The Perennial Promise, Power, and Presence of God and His and Presence of God and His Word in Pursuing the Ethical Word in Pursuing the Ethical

Life (Hebrews 4:12; 13:5)Life (Hebrews 4:12; 13:5)

1.1. God as the God as the GroundGround of Ethics (1 John 4:7-8): of Ethics (1 John 4:7-8):2.2. God as the God as the NormNorm of Ethics (Matthew 5-7): of Ethics (Matthew 5-7):3.3. God as the God as the PowerPower for Ethics (John 15): for Ethics (John 15):

Page 48: Sessions 16 and 17 Introduction to Ethics. I. Introduction: Ethics is the discipline that studies the moral life. If morality refers primarily to behavior.

Many people give cognitive assent to doing the good but Many people give cognitive assent to doing the good but find both internal and external restraints in actually find both internal and external restraints in actually accomplishing it. Thus, empowerment is clearly an accomplishing it. Thus, empowerment is clearly an issue to consider in Christian ethics, though it has not issue to consider in Christian ethics, though it has not been a mainstay in much of the discipline. While been a mainstay in much of the discipline. While humans have certain native capacities for achieving humans have certain native capacities for achieving virtue and moral actions, our fallen nature turns us away virtue and moral actions, our fallen nature turns us away from the good in both our understanding and our from the good in both our understanding and our behavior. . . . Biblically speaking, there are two main behavior. . . . Biblically speaking, there are two main sources of power for ethical living: God’s grace and sources of power for ethical living: God’s grace and God’s presence in our lives, most notably through the God’s presence in our lives, most notably through the Holy Spirit.Holy Spirit.

  

Dennis P. Hollinger, Dennis P. Hollinger, Choosing the GoodChoosing the Good, 68, 68