...Examine the View that Morality is Dependent on Religion. (21 Marks) There are three main views for Morality and religion: Morality is dependent on religion, morality is Independent of religion and morality is opposed to religion. There is a myriad of reasons for and against each of these statements. Many people do believe that morality does depend on religion for reasons such as that western law was originally based on Biblical principles, for example stealing and murder. For many however the question is how morality should be linked with religious faith, even though this causes problems between secularists and religious believers. The view I’m going to explore mainly in this essay is the view that ‘morality is dependent on religion’. People who believe that religion and morality are linked would argue that you cannot have morality without religion and that all rules come from God as he is the source of Religion. This is backed up by the fact that even social laws created to run western countries are taken from religious books such as, the Bible. Many people who believe the statement morality is dependent on religion would be Absolutists and believe that we should never question moral codes or there is ever a time when moral codes should be lenient. Absolutists would have no emotion to a situation and would therefore condemn situation ethics as they would believe the answer to a problem is always the same no matter the situation. This is because an absolutist would...
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...Forced into Morality Cesar Galvez One may wonder what society would be like if people did not follow any sort of moral codes. People would not feel any guilt for any wrong-doing. Obligations, awareness of duty, and rights would not exist, perhaps in only the legal sense. Thankfully, most, if not all, human inherited rules of right and wrong that were not given by anyone, they are inherent morals that each human is given. However, another way a person can look at morality is religion. Furthermore, there is a considerable amount of people that believe morality and religion are fundamentally linked. According to Landau (2010), “Religion has always been the most popular source of morality.” (Landau, 2010, p.61). Humanist, atheist, and agnostics cannot identify a connection between religion and morality, arguing that is possible to be moral without a religious status. However, others argue that ethics and religion are inseparable. Religion creates a moral motivation to seek a greater moral life. If believers desire a better life and afterlife and continue to follow the religious beliefs, “God deeds will be rewarded, if not here on earth, then in another worldly paradise.” (Landau, 2010, p.62). Therefore, believers have strong reasons to be moral. According to Wainwright (2005), “Religious belief is necessary for moral motivation.” (Wainwright, 2005, p.4). On the other hand, not only motivation for a better life triggers the initiative to be moral. Fear has the...
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...(i) Examine the claim that religion and morality are linked (21) If we agree with Ninian Smart, then an important dimension of all the world religions is the ethical dimension. But this is not necessarily the same as saying that religion and morality are inextricably linked. A slightly different way of framing the question is to ask whether you can have morality without religion, as Dostoyevsky suggested when his character Ivan asserts that ‘if God does not exist then everything is permitted’. Broadly speaking there are 3 different approaches to the question that can be taken: 1) Morality depends on religion 2) Morality is independent of religion 3) Morality is opposed to religion The first approach is to argue that behaving morally means behaving in accordance with God’s will, so that morality cannot be separated from religion. For religious people moral behaviour and commitment to the religion are closely related to beliefs about salvation in the afterlife. They also point out that without religion there would be no morality because all moral codes are derived from religion, many of our most firmly held moral convictions can be traced back to religious morality, such as the prohibition against murder, homosexuality and adultery. One strength of divine command ethics is that they provide a set in stone moral law with clear guidelines for how you should and should not behave; which some people may get from the bible, or other holy texts. The rules can be applied...
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...Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Religion Can Morality Exist Without Religion? | | Rajoo Kamal-Wilnoff (10781867)Sociology 321.3, Section X01Professor Bryan PukMay 28, 2014 | “Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what’s right.” – Isaac Asimov | Can We Be Good Without God? Can we be good without God? The question has been a controversial one throughout history and a variety of positions are apparent regarding the relationship between religion and morality. Theists undoubtedly find in God a source of moral strength and resolve which enables them to live lives that are better than those that they would live without Him, but it would seem arrogant and ignorant to claim that those who do not share a belief in God do not often live good moral lives. Should the question really be about the objectivity of moral values, and whether said moral values are simply social conventions, or mere expressions of personal preference? Are they valid independently of our apprehension of them, and if so, what is their foundation? Moreover, if morality is just a human convention, then why should we act morally, especially when it conflicts with self-interest? Are we in some way held accountable for our moral decisions and actions? This paper explores the ontological claim that the morality does not require religion, religious motivation or guidance to exist, based on the opposing views presented in two essays “Religion, Morality and Conscience” (1996), by John Arthur...
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...3.2 God in the Critique of Pure Reason's Transcendental Dialectic 3.2.1 The Ens Realissimum The Transcendental Dialectic's “Ideal of Reason” contains the best known and most frequently anthologized components of Kant's philosophy of religion. In addition to its portrayal of the ens realissimum, one finds within it Kant's objections to the Ontological, Cosmological and Physico-theological (Design) arguments for God's existence. It is thus the text most central to the negative elements of Kant's philosophy of religion and is integral to the widely held view that Kant is deeply hostile to faith. The general aim of the Transcendental Dialectic is to expose reason's excesses, its drive to move beyond the limits of possible experience, and to bring all concepts into a systematic unity under an “unconditioned condition.” The Transcendental Dialectic begins with a critique of reason's illusions and errors within the sphere of Rational Psychology. It then moves on to a critique of cosmological metaphysics, and then to the “Ideal of Reason” where Kant turns to Rational Theology and its pursuit of religious knowledge. As Kant explains, underlying all the traditional proofs for God's existence is the concept of the ens realissimum, the most real being. Reason comes to the idea of this being through the principle that every individuated object is subject to the “principle of complete determination.” While the generality of concepts allow them to be less than fully determined (e.g...
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...Trung Vu Roxanne Ezzet Sociological Theory 375 30 April 2015 Utopia: Work in Process For as long as the human species has been living on this earth, it has always pondered with a question of whether or not a perfect place where there is forever peace, harmony, and happiness. The concept of heaven reflects this worldly desire for such dreamland. But does one have to die to live in this uncertain utopia after living morally on earth? Many argue that with the right combination of certain social and economical policies, we actually don’t have to wait till afterlife to live in an ideal society. This paper will present the classic theories and contemporary arguments circulating the essential elements of societies and from these arguments, construing what elements are most important that could be used to create an ideal society. In order to part away from the religious view that heaven can only exist in the hereafter, we try to establish a scientific explanation of how we as human beings have come to existence through the process of evolution. This theory appeals significantly to us for at least two reasons. First, it gives some of us who aren’t as religious a more satisfying validation of our origin and our destination. This view opposes Max Weber’s description of a Calvinist who always suffers great inner loneliness due to his ambiguous predestined fate. Second, the theory of evolution is in alignment with our positive and pre-established perception of progress and improvement...
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...decisions different from the “wrong” decision. A lot of different people and organization of the history of the world have defined ethical behavior, but still some actions are argued as to whether or not they are ethical or even moral. Plato’s view of ethics was that it had to do with the arrangement of the human soul. Plato contended that justice is the quality of soul, in virtue of which men set aside the irrational desire to taste every pleasure and to get a selfish satisfaction out of every object and accommodated them to the discharge of a single function for the general benefit. Thrasymachus, on the other hand believed that justice was not based on any moral premise but is defined by those in power or by the authority of the state. Religions such as Christianity have come up with theories about ethics also. Christians have theorized, “Human souls desire the good, found only in God.” This good is supposed to be “unchanging, permanent, and always satisfying. The goods of this world, such as food, drink or wealth, are only partially satisfying, since these are always changing and human physiology always demands them. God, however, as the final end of all things, is the end of human souls as well. The soul that "rests" in God is the soul that wants nothing other than God. Therefore human action is to manifest the spiritual life in the choices the individual makes.” (Johnson, 2007) The approach to ethics is different depending on the person and the situation. Most people according...
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...Morality and religion are common themes throughout Southern literature. In "Flannery O'Connor's Misfit and the Mystery of Evil," John Desmond examines the actions of the Misfit and determines how morality and religion relate to themes within Southern Literature. Desmond suggests the Misfit's actions are fueled by a desire to understand ethics; as well as a desire to cure his spiritual suffering. Desmond provides examples of the Misfit's anguish, such as the symbolism behind his name, his internalized isolation, and his reaction to simple kindness. Desmond also provides insight into the morality of other characters, such as The Grandmother. The Misfit's isolation and resistance to change is also exhibited by Hulga in "Good Country People". With each text comes examples of how morality changes a person and dictates their actions through desire. The Misfit is a self-sufficient, morally isolated character. Throughout "A Good Man is Hard to Find," the Misfit shares with the Grandmother details concerning his name. The Misfit claims...
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...take into account what makes the “right” dicisions different from the “wrong” decision. Ethical behavior has been defined by a lot of different people and organization of the history of the world, but still some actions are argued as to whether or not they are ethical or even moral. Plato’s view of ethics was that it had to do with the arrangement of the human soul. He believe that every human sould consisted of three parts, the rational, spiritual, and passionate. For a person to commit ethical behavior Plato believed that the soul must be properly organized. This meant that the reason must command, organized, and focus the other two parts of the soul. If this was done, then one sought general good and not flights of fancy. Religions such as Christianity have come up with theories about ethics as well. Christians have theorized that “human souls desire the good, found only in God.” This good is supposed to be “unchanging, perminant, and always satisfying. The goods of this world, such as food, drink or wealth, are only partially satisfying, since these are always changing and human physiology always demands them. God, however, as the final end of all things, is the end of human souls as well. The soul that "rests" in God is the soul that wants nothing other than God. Therefore human action is to manifest the spiritual life in the choices the individual makes.” (Johnson, 2007) The approach to ethics is different depending on the person and the situation. Most people...
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...Week 1 DQs 1(A) How does ethical conduct affect your job? Consider both your own conduct and the conduct of others. What specific benefit do you hope to achieve from taking this course? My Answer: Ethical conduct effects my job on a everyday stand point I own and run a computer repair shop, therefore if I was to have unethical conduct I would not have any customers and it would give my business a bad reputation. My business depends on my conduct because it is a small business that my husband and I run together. We put our customers first and listen to their needs. We also honor quality work and try to be understanding and take time to make each of our customers feel like they are special because they are special without them we would not have a business. I am not sure what specific benefits that I hope to receive from this class but I do believe that it will help me learn more about how to be a successful business owner. 1(B) Based upon what you have read so far, how do you think the study of ethics might be different from other courses you have taken? How does that modify your approach to the course? My Answer: I believe that it is going to be different because we are learning about ethics and conduct where with other classes we learned about what to do in a business such as accounting and such. With this class we get the chance to learn how to act and treat others in a business way. I believe that everyone who is a business owner should take this class to learn about...
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...11, 2015 Everyman Everyman is an attempt to portray the significance of man’s morality; it focuses on faith based on works. The focus is not on good deeds already obtained but on locating said deeds before proceeding to death. Everyman noticeably centers on the Catholic religion that was prevalent during medieval times, unlike the Protestant view that bases religion on faith alone. It was very important that people are aware of the fate of their souls if they ignored good deeds. Everyman made it apparent to everyone that without “good deeds” they would not to heaven. It did not require that these good deeds transpire over time but that they can be found through “knowledge”, before death came. The interpretation of this play is that one’s eternity depends on the good works that they do in life. This play makes an effort to explain the need for salvation and God in one’s life. It is considered a morality play which focus’ on what behavior is customary and accepted as praiseworthy and respectable. However, when Death comes, it does not demand that Everyman be ready instantaneously to give account for his life. Death gives notice and warns him when he says, “See thou make thee ready shortly”. Therefore giving Everyman the opportunity to make himself ready for death. Everyman looks to Fellowship for comfort, after becoming aware of his failure in the works department. He does not look for his works to save him from his fate, rather for companionship for his...
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...AS Religious Studies [pic] PHILOSOPHY & ETHICS Revision Summary Notes Revision Notes Foundation for the Study of Religion Part One: Philosophy of Religion Plato and the Forms Influence of Socrates • Socrates said that virtue is knowledge – to know what is right is to do what is right. • All wrongdoing is the result of ignorance – nobody chooses to do wrong deliberately. • Therefore, to be moral you must have true knowledge. The problem of the One and the Many Plato was trying to find a solution to the problem that although there is underlying stability in the world (sun comes up every morning), it is constantly changing (you never step into the same river twice). 1. An old theory about this problem is that we gain all knowledge from our senses – empirically. 2. Plato disagreed with this. He said that because the world is constantly changing, our senses cannot be trusted. Plato illustrated his idea in the dialogue, ‘Meno’: Socrates sets a slave boy a mathematical problem. The slave boy knows the answer, yet he has not been taught maths. Plato suggests that the slave boy remembers the answer to the problem, which has been in his mind all along. So, according to Plato, we don't learn new things, we remember them. In other words, knowledge is innate. Plato’s Theory of the Forms Plato believed that the world was divided into: 1. Reality and; 2. Appearance |REALITY ...
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...forcefulness; effectiveness (Inc., 2011) . A humanist is defined as one who is concerned with the interests and welfare of humans (Inc., 2011). Niccolo’ Machiavelli sought after the power of politics because; he was constantly explaining to individual how to get power and how to hold on to it. He thought,” humanists suppose to believe that individual only grows to maturity, both intellectually and morally through participation in life of the state’ (Machiavelli, 1531, revised 1975, 1981, 1995, 1999). Everyone has their own opinions about him, and his way of life; depending on whom you speak with. His life has some examples and lessons he learn in his life. Through my paper, I intend to examine his ideas on power in politics, morality, and religion based on his political writings and life experiences. Niccolo’ Machiavelli was born on May 3, 1469 to a Bernardo and Bartolomea. They had two other daughters and a son. He was taught grammar, and Latin. Machiavelli was trained young; by a Latin teacher named...
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...Plato's famous question concerning the nature of goodness asks whether a thing is good because God says it is good, or does God say it's good because it is good. This is known as Euthyphro Dilemma (Rachels 51). The dilemma makes clear the way in which we as humans are confused and circular about our uses of the concept of authority, trying to pin one type of authority onto another, until we have gone full circle without ever having to explain it. It shows that religion and morality are both as human as ever, for it is the humans that are trying to work out where authority is, whether it is in the divine, or elsewhere, and our judgments are always going to be limited and human, and ultimately depend upon humanity for the source of authority of our judgments. The two sides of the dilemma: First, we might mean that right conduct is right because God commands it (Rachels 51). This means being that God demands good deeds from us because it is right. Basically that there are already Moral standards established in society and god simply demands them to be fulfilled. Second, God commands are not arbitrary; they are the result of his wisdom in knowing what is best (Rachels 52). This means being that the deeds God demands are only good because God commands them. Basically it is the theory that there would be no Moral standards if God did not demand them from us. The consequences of endorsing the first of Socrates option, we will be stuck with the most religious people would find unacceptable...
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...The concept of religion itself is extremely complex and has been in existence for ages. Religion has been used as a mode of connection with a higher order being in order to have bliss in life and afterlife. There are different perspectives by many philosophers who argue about the controversial topic- existence of God. Some philosophers believe that due to the existence of evil and suffering in our world, it poses a serious challenge to the belief in the existence of a perfect God. In this paper however I am not concerned with the question whether God exists or not but I rather will be discussing the Western concepts of God as well as the Eastern one, followed by the dual existence of a higher being and evil. I will also emphasize on Immanuel Kant's perspectives on religion and radical evil as his views intrigued me the most among all the other philosophers, mentioning my own belief on religion and God. Western thought about God has fallen within some broad form of theism. Theism is the view that states there is a God, which is the creator and one who sustains the universe and is unlimited with regard to knowledge (omniscience), power (omnipotence), extension (omnipresence), and moral perfection. Western philosophy has interfaced most widely with Christianity, Judaism and Islam has also had some influence. The orthodox forms of all these three religions have embraced theism, though each religion has also yielded a wide array of other views. The western concept of God reveals...
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