16.2 Comparative Religious Ethics

Moral absolutism is the ethical belief that certain actions are intrinsically right or wrong, regardless of the context or consequences. This perspective holds that there are universal moral principles that apply to all individuals, making some actions universally acceptable or unacceptable across different cultures and situations.

Moral Relativism: The view that moral judgments and values are not absolute but are shaped by cultural, societal, or personal circumstances.

Deontological Ethics: An ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of following rules or duties to determine the morality of an action, often associated with moral absolutism.

Consequentialism: An ethical theory that judges the morality of an action based on its outcomes or consequences, contrasting with moral absolutism.

Moral relativism is the philosophical viewpoint that asserts that moral judgments and values are not absolute but are shaped by cultural, societal, and personal factors. This perspective highlights that what is considered morally right or wrong can vary significantly across different cultures and contexts, suggesting that there are no universal moral standards applicable to all human beings.

Cultural Relativism: The idea that a person's beliefs, values, and practices should be understood based on that person's own culture, rather than be judged against the criteria of another culture.

Ethical Subjectivism: The view that moral judgments are statements of individual feelings or attitudes, implying that moral truths depend solely on personal opinion.

Universalism: The belief in universal principles of ethics that apply to all individuals regardless of culture or context, often seen as the counterpoint to moral relativism.

Ethical pluralism is the view that there are many different moral principles and values that can be valid in different contexts, and that no single ethical framework can encompass all moral truths. This perspective acknowledges the complexity of moral issues and recognizes that individuals and cultures may have varying understandings of what is right or wrong, highlighting the importance of dialogue and negotiation in ethical decision-making.

Moral relativism: The belief that moral judgments are valid only relative to a specific cultural or individual perspective, meaning there is no absolute standard of morality.

Universal ethics: An ethical approach that posits certain moral principles are universally applicable to all individuals, regardless of culture or context.

Deontological ethics: An ethical theory that focuses on rules and duties, emphasizing that actions are morally right if they adhere to established rules, rather than the consequences of those actions.

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that suggests the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or utility. It emphasizes the consequences of actions, advocating for choices that lead to the greatest good for the greatest number of people. This perspective often contrasts with moral frameworks that prioritize duties, rights, or intentions over outcomes.

Consequentialism: An ethical theory that judges the rightness or wrongness of actions based solely on their outcomes or consequences.

Hedonism: A philosophical doctrine that considers pleasure or happiness as the highest good, often associated with utilitarian thought.

Deontology: An ethical theory that focuses on the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions themselves, rather than their consequences.

Deontology is an ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of duty and adherence to rules in determining what is morally right. It argues that actions are inherently right or wrong based on their adherence to a set of principles or duties, regardless of the consequences. This perspective is significant in understanding moral decision-making across various religious traditions, as it often contrasts with consequentialist theories that focus on the outcomes of actions.

Kantian Ethics: A deontological ethical theory developed by Immanuel Kant, which posits that moral actions are those performed out of a sense of duty and in accordance with universal moral laws.

Moral Absolutism: The belief that certain actions are universally right or wrong, regardless of context or consequences, closely aligned with deontological ethics.

Consequentialism: An ethical theory that judges the morality of an action based on its outcomes or consequences, contrasting with deontological perspectives.

Kant's Categorical Imperative is a foundational principle in moral philosophy that dictates that one should act only according to that maxim by which one can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. This idea emphasizes the importance of duty and moral obligation, suggesting that ethical actions must be universally applicable and grounded in reason rather than consequences. It highlights the distinction between moral actions based on individual desires versus those rooted in rational ethical principles.

Deontology: An ethical theory that uses rules to distinguish right from wrong, focusing on adherence to duty and obligations.

Maxim: A principle or rule of action that an individual uses to guide their behavior, which can be evaluated for its universality in ethical reasoning.

Practical Reason: The ability to make decisions and take actions based on rational thought processes, integral to Kant's ethical framework.

Situation ethics is an ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of context in determining the morality of an action, suggesting that the most loving outcome should guide decision-making. This approach challenges rigid moral laws and promotes flexibility, arguing that love should be the primary principle in ethical dilemmas rather than adherence to established rules or codes.

Agape: A selfless, unconditional love that is central to situation ethics, serving as the guiding principle for moral decision-making.

Utilitarianism: An ethical theory that suggests actions are right if they promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number, often contrasted with situation ethics due to its focus on outcomes rather than love.

Deontological Ethics: An ethical framework that prioritizes adherence to rules and duties over consequences, often seen as opposing situation ethics' focus on context and love.

Cultural relativism is the idea that a person's beliefs, values, and practices should be understood based on that person's own culture, rather than be judged against the criteria of another culture. This perspective encourages an understanding of cultural diversity and promotes tolerance by acknowledging that different cultures may have different norms and values. Cultural relativism plays a crucial role in how religions are perceived and practiced within various societies, influencing social structures and ethical frameworks.

Ethnocentrism: The belief that one's own culture is superior to others, often leading to misinterpretation or misunderstanding of different cultural practices.

Cultural diversity: The variety of cultural or ethnic groups within a society, highlighting the differences in traditions, beliefs, and customs.

Moral relativism: The concept that moral judgments are not universally true but are instead shaped by cultural or societal contexts.

Cross-cultural moral dialogue refers to the process of engaging in discussions about ethical principles and values across different cultural and religious backgrounds. This dialogue is essential for understanding diverse perspectives on morality and fostering mutual respect, cooperation, and conflict resolution among various cultures. It emphasizes the importance of listening, reflecting, and exchanging ideas to address common moral issues while recognizing the uniqueness of each cultural context.

Cultural Relativism: The belief that moral systems and values are relative to cultural contexts, meaning that what is considered right or wrong can vary from one culture to another.

Ethical Pluralism: The idea that multiple moral frameworks can coexist and that no single ethical system has a monopoly on truth, allowing for a variety of perspectives in moral discourse.

Interfaith Dialogue: Conversations and exchanges between individuals from different religious traditions aimed at promoting understanding, respect, and collaboration in addressing shared moral concerns.