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World Religions
Table of Contents
Unit 16 Overview: Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
16.1 Religious Ethics and Moral Teachings
16.2 Comparative Religious Ethics
16.3 Religion and Contemporary Ethical Issues

📿world religions review

16.1 Religious Ethics and Moral Teachings

Citation:

Religious ethics shape moral behavior through divine commands, natural law, and virtue. These frameworks provide guidelines for ethical living, emphasizing character development and universal principles like the Golden Rule and karma.

Religious codes like the Ten Commandments and Buddhist Eight-fold Path offer specific moral guidelines. These teachings, along with concepts like dharma and ahimsa, form the foundation of ethical conduct in various faith traditions.

Ethical Frameworks

Divine Command Theory and Natural Law

  • Divine Command Theory asserts that what is moral is determined by what God commands
  • Assumes that moral truths are dependent on God's will and that God's commands are inherently good and just
  • Natural Law Theory argues that morality is derived from the nature of the universe and human beings
  • Contends that moral principles are inherent in the natural order and can be discovered through reason (Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas)

Virtue Ethics

  • Virtue Ethics emphasizes the development of moral character rather than adherence to rules or consequences
  • Focuses on cultivating virtues such as wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance
  • Argues that by embodying these virtues, individuals will naturally act in an ethical manner
  • Key proponents include Aristotle, who believed that virtues are developed through habit and practice

Universal Principles

Golden Rule and Karma

  • The Golden Rule, found in various forms across religions, states that one should treat others as one wishes to be treated oneself
  • Promotes empathy, compassion, and reciprocity in human interactions
  • Karma, a central concept in Eastern religions (Hinduism, Buddhism), is the idea that one's actions have consequences that shape future experiences
  • Encourages individuals to engage in positive actions to generate favorable outcomes and avoid negative actions that lead to suffering

Dharma and Ahimsa

  • Dharma, in Hinduism, refers to the moral order of the universe and the duties and obligations of individuals within it
  • Encompasses religious, social, and ethical responsibilities based on one's role and station in life
  • Ahimsa, a principle in Hinduism and Buddhism, is the practice of non-violence and respect for all living beings
  • Encourages compassion, respect for life, and the avoidance of causing harm to others (Mahatma Gandhi)

Religious Codes

Ten Commandments and Eight-fold Path

  • The Ten Commandments, found in the Hebrew Bible, are a set of moral and religious imperatives that form the foundation of Jewish and Christian ethics
  • Include prohibitions against murder, theft, adultery, and false witness, as well as injunctions to honor one's parents and keep the Sabbath
  • The Eight-fold Path, a central teaching in Buddhism, outlines a path to liberation from suffering and the attainment of enlightenment
  • Consists of right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration

Five Precepts

  • The Five Precepts are a set of moral guidelines in Buddhism that lay followers are encouraged to follow
  • Include abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxicants
  • Serve as a foundation for ethical conduct and personal discipline
  • Adherence to the precepts is seen as a means of cultivating virtue, reducing suffering, and progressing on the path to enlightenment

Key Terms to Review (11)

Ten Commandments: The Ten Commandments are a set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship that play a fundamental role in Judaism and Christianity. They serve as a moral foundation for ethical behavior, outlining duties to God and responsibilities toward others, shaping the legal and moral framework of Western civilization.
Ahimsa: Ahimsa is a principle of non-violence and non-harm toward all living beings. It is a foundational ethical concept in various religious traditions, promoting compassion and respect for life. This principle encourages individuals to avoid causing injury through thoughts, words, or actions, and is deeply connected to the pursuit of enlightenment and ethical living in many spiritual paths.
Dharma: Dharma refers to the moral law and duty that governs individual conduct and societal order in Hinduism and Buddhism. It encompasses a range of meanings, including righteousness, ethical behavior, and one's responsibilities based on their social class and stage of life. Understanding dharma is crucial for grasping the historical development, rituals, ethical teachings, and sacred texts within these religions.
Mahatma Gandhi: Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule, advocating for nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as means to achieve social and political change. His philosophies and practices are deeply rooted in Hindu principles, drawing from concepts like ahimsa (nonviolence) and satyagraha (truth force), which reflect a significant historical development of Hindu thought and its ethical teachings.
Five precepts: The five precepts are the basic ethical guidelines in Buddhism that serve as a foundation for moral conduct. They outline the fundamental principles that practitioners are encouraged to follow in order to cultivate virtue and avoid harm, fostering a path toward enlightenment. These precepts emphasize the importance of non-violence, honesty, and respect for all living beings, reflecting key aspects of Buddhist ethics and moral teachings.
Virtue ethics: Virtue ethics is a moral philosophy that emphasizes the importance of character and the virtues in ethical decision-making, rather than focusing solely on rules or consequences. This approach encourages individuals to develop good character traits, or virtues, that enable them to lead a morally good life and make ethical choices. It connects closely with various religious teachings that highlight the cultivation of personal character as foundational to moral behavior.
Golden Rule: The Golden Rule is a moral principle that advocates treating others as one would like to be treated oneself. This ethical guideline appears in various forms across different religions and philosophies, emphasizing empathy, respect, and compassion as foundational aspects of ethical behavior in interpersonal relationships.
Eight-Fold Path: The Eight-Fold Path is a core concept in Buddhism that outlines the practices leading to enlightenment and liberation from suffering. It consists of eight interconnected principles that guide ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom, emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach to life. By following this path, individuals can cultivate virtues and reduce ignorance, which is essential for achieving Nirvana.
Divine command theory: Divine command theory is the ethical view that moral values and duties are grounded in the commands of a divine being, asserting that what is morally right is what God commands and what is morally wrong is what God forbids. This perspective emphasizes the relationship between religion and morality, suggesting that divine authority provides the ultimate basis for distinguishing between right and wrong.
Natural law theory: Natural law theory is a philosophical and ethical framework that posits that certain rights and moral principles are inherent in human nature and can be discovered through reason. This theory suggests that moral laws exist independently of human-made laws and are universal, applying to all people regardless of culture or context. It serves as a foundation for various religious ethics and moral teachings by emphasizing the importance of understanding the natural order of the world.
Karma: Karma is a concept found in several Indian religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, referring to the moral law of cause and effect, where a person's actions influence their future experiences. This principle connects individual choices with their consequences, both in this life and in subsequent lives, shaping one's destiny through a cycle of actions and reactions.