Religion and Ethics

1. Religion and Ethics Possible Relationships

2. What is the relation of religion and morality? • Morality is founded on religion. There is no morality when religion is absent. • Divine Command Ethics • Religion is not needed for morality. They can develop separately. • Plato, Aristotle, Confucius • Religion works counter to true morality. • Nietzsche • Religion can both support and hinder morality and social justice.

3. Divine Command Theory • God’s will is the basis of ethical value.

4. Divine Command Theory • Is something good because God wills it? • Could God will something that we know to be bad? Does that willing make it good? Or • Does God will what is good? • Is there a measure that constrains God?

5. Confucius • The question is how we are to achieve jen (human-heartedness) • Let’s look at some of the things he says in the Analects.

6. Analects • Book I • Focus on two principle virtues • Faithfulness • Truthfulness • The precious role that rites and rules of decorum play in harmonizing human relations. This is not harmony for harmony’s sake.

7. Analects • Book II • A ruler should lead by moral principle and teach by rules of decorum. • Filial piety requires reverence and obedience to parents.

8. Analects • Books II and IV • Humanity (jen) is more fundamental than the rites and decorum. • Follow the example of the virtuous person. • Question yourself when you see an immoral person.

9. Analects • Book V • Courtesy and gravity • Loyalty and reverence • Kindness and benevolence • Morality and justice

10. Analects • Book XII Analects • “Do not do to others what you would not want others to do to you.” • Book XVII • Courtesy • Magnanimity • Good faith • Diligence • Kindness

11. Is there any influence of religion in this position?