Title: Area 1: The Relationship between Religion and Moral Values
1Area 1 The Relationship between Religion and
Moral Values
- Morality in the Modern World
2Area 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
3Area 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
Sections in red will be completed after the prelim
4- Lesson Aim
- Today we will be learning about moral autonomy
and moral heteronomy
5Area 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
6- Any idea what moral autonomy might be?
7- The word auto means self
- The word autonomy means to self-govern
-
- It comes from the Greek autonomia which
literally translates as independence
8Moral 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.
9So how does moral autonomy work?
- Autonomy is based on reason.
- Basically this means thinking things through and
coming up with a decision.
10Autonomy 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.
11Discussion
- Does reason seem to you like a good way to make
moral decisions?
12Group 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 you would make by
following the table - Step 3 Write a few sentences summarising what
this tells you about moral decision making
13Discussion Point
- Can we be ever be fully autonomous in our moral
decision making? - Do we often make truly independent decisions?
14How Might Christians Feel About Autonomy?
15How 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.
16Arguments 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.
17Religious Morality
- Moral Heteronomy
- Any idea what this might mean???
18Religious Morality
- Moral Heteronomy
- The word hetero comes from Greek and means
'different'
19Religious 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
20- Moral Heteronomy
- Moral heteronomy is dependent upon religious
beliefs
21Christianity 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.
22(No Transcript)
23Discussion
- How might thinking What would Jesus do? be
helpful /unhelpful for a Christian when making a
moral decision?
24Arguments 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
25- Here are 3 slides for you to take notes from.....
26Copy the following...
independent of religious belief.
grounded in religious belief.
religious belief, and the interpretation of
sacred writings guided by faith, tradition and
reason.
human reason alone.
27Arguments 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.
28Arguments 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
29In 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.
30Read p74
31Extension Qs
- 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?