16.1 Religious Ethics and Moral Teachings

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.

Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another, which is central to the practice of the Golden Rule.

Reciprocity: A social norm that encourages mutual exchanges and interactions, closely related to the idea of treating others well.

Moral Philosophy: The branch of philosophy concerned with questions about what is right and wrong, where the Golden Rule often serves as a key ethical guideline.

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.

Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that individuals go through, which is influenced by karma.

Dharma: The moral duty or righteousness that an individual must follow, often influencing their karma based on whether they fulfill or neglect these duties.

Nirvana: A state of liberation from the cycle of samsara and the associated suffering, achievable through the right understanding of karma and ethical living.

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.

Mosaic Law: A collection of laws given to the Israelites by Moses, including the Ten Commandments, which are seen as central to Jewish religious and ethical practice.

Covenant: A solemn agreement between God and His people, often depicted in the Bible, where God promises protection and guidance in exchange for obedience to His laws, including the Ten Commandments.

Ethics: A branch of philosophy that deals with questions about morality and the principles governing right and wrong behavior, heavily influenced by the moral teachings found in the Ten Commandments.

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.

Nirvana: The ultimate goal in Buddhism, representing the state of liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and suffering.

Four Noble Truths: The foundational teachings of Buddhism that diagnose the human condition and outline the path to overcoming suffering.

Karma: The principle that actions have consequences, influencing one's future rebirths and experiences based on moral choices.

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.

Karma: Karma is the law of cause and effect in which a person's actions influence their future circumstances, creating a moral balance that is essential to understanding dharma.

Samsara: Samsara refers to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hinduism and Buddhism, where adherence to dharma can influence one's journey through this cycle.

Varna: Varna is the classification system of society in Hinduism, which includes four main categories (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras) that help determine an individual's specific dharma.

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.

Karma: The law of cause and effect, where an individual's actions (good or bad) influence their future experiences and circumstances.

Buddhism: A spiritual tradition that emphasizes the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, focusing on overcoming suffering through ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom.

Jainism: An ancient Indian religion that places a strong emphasis on ahimsa as a core value, advocating strict non-violence in thought, word, and deed.

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.

Moral Absolutism: The belief that certain actions are universally right or wrong, independent of individual beliefs or cultural norms.

Euthyphro Dilemma: A philosophical question regarding whether something is good because God commands it, or if God commands it because it is good, raising issues about the nature of morality and divine authority.

Theonomy: The belief that God's law should govern all aspects of society, including legal and political systems, reflecting a strong connection between divine authority and human legislation.

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.

Moral Absolutism: The belief that there are objective moral principles that are universally applicable, regardless of individual beliefs or cultural practices.

Ethical Relativism: The view that moral standards are not absolute but rather shaped by cultural, social, or personal circumstances, leading to varying ethical norms.

Divine Command Theory: An ethical theory that asserts that moral values and obligations are grounded in God's commands, with moral truths deriving from divine will.

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.

Eudaimonia: A Greek term often translated as 'flourishing' or 'well-being,' representing the ultimate goal of virtue ethics where individuals achieve a fulfilling and meaningful life through virtuous living.

Aristotle: An ancient Greek philosopher whose work significantly shaped virtue ethics, emphasizing that virtues are habits developed through practice and are essential for achieving eudaimonia.

Moral Character: The set of personal qualities that influences an individual's ethical decisions and behavior, central to virtue ethics as it focuses on who a person is rather than what they do.

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.

Ahimsa: The principle of nonviolence toward all living beings, which is a central tenet in Hinduism and greatly influenced Gandhi's philosophy.

Satyagraha: A method of nonviolent resistance developed by Gandhi, aimed at achieving social and political reform through truth and moral power.

Swadeshi: A movement initiated by Gandhi encouraging self-sufficiency and the boycott of British goods, promoting indigenous industries.

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.

Karma: The law of moral causation in Buddhism, which suggests that actions have consequences that affect future experiences and rebirths.

Noble Eightfold Path: A set of principles that guide ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom in Buddhism, aiming for liberation from suffering.

Sangha: The community of monks, nuns, and laypersons in Buddhism who follow the teachings of the Buddha and support each other in practicing the Dharma.