Christian Ethics: Reading Exercise 1

Christian Ethics: Reading Exercise 1

For Reading Assignment: Geisler, Chapter 1, 8 (start printing at p. 2 - skip printing this page)

Exercise 1, Part 1

This exercise requires a handout given in the opening class. If you missed that handout you can download it as PowerPoint file, here:

http://personal.southern.edu/~sbauer/Ethics/1-Definitions.ppt

(The link is also on my website in the Ethics page).

Directions:

Using the classification system in the class handout and categorize the ethical approaches discussed by Geisler (p. 116-121 – starts with "Morals are Mores" and finishes with the Utilitarians), and also classify Geisler's depiction of Christian Ethics (15-18 - treat Christian Ethics as 1 approach to ethics overall). Give 1-2 two sentences WHY you believe that classification fits the approach in question.

You should pick 1 option each from options a-c:

a. Relativist vs Absolutist

b. Libertine vs Paternalist

c. Teleological vs Deontological

Here is as an example from P 116-117:

1. Might is Right

a. Relativist – Right and wrong are changeable to the whims of whoever is in power

b. Libertine – This will be libertine for the one who is in power as he/she determines what is right and wrong without reference to a higher authority.

c. Teleological – Justice is determined by what is in the interests of the stronger party. Thus, consequences are the criteria of determining right and wrong.

Note: The professor is not looking for exact right or wrong answers, but is looking to see if your explanation matches the definition you chose. It is the coherence of your explanation to the definition chosen that matters, not how correctly you label the school of ethics. Do you understand what Teleology, etc., means enough to have an explanation that matches it?

Do the 11 assigned approaches below in similar fashion. Edit answers into page 2 and following of this exercise, and print all but page 1 (this instruction page) for submission. (Go to next page to add your answers).

Do the 8 assigned app

Name ______Date Turned in: ______

Section A - Due 8-23-17

Exercise 1, Part 1 (Edit Answers in here) Section B - Due 8-24-17

Morals are Mores:

Man is the Measure:

The Race is Right:

Right is Moderation:

There is no Right:

Right is what brings pleasure:

Right is the Greatest Good for the Race:

Good is What is Desired for it’s Own Sake:

Good is Indefinable:

Good is What God Wills:

Geisler’s Depiction of Christian Ethics

Exercise 1, Part 2 (Continue editing answers into the document)

2. What moral issue does Geisler use to start illustrating and evaluating the 6 approaches to ethics on pages 19-20?

3. List the names of the 6 approaches to Ethics given by Geisler and with a 1-sentence description of how each handles the issue in item 1 (previous item to this one), and in 1 sentence, what is the brief stance of each ethical school on that issue?

4. Based on these pages, which of the six approaches do you think Geisler prefers? Why?