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Religion and Ethics. Possible Relationships. 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
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Religion and Ethics Possible Relationships
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.
Divine Command Theory • God’s will is the basis of ethical value.
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?
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.
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.
Analects • Book II • A ruler should lead by moral principle and teach by rules of decorum. • Filial piety requires reverence and obedience to parents.
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.
Analects • Book V • Courtesy and gravity • Loyalty and reverence • Kindness and benevolence • Morality and justice
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