Do questions like Why should I be moral? or Why shouldnt I be selfish? have definitive answers as do some questions in other Areas of Knowledge? Does having a definitive answer make a question more or less important?
Essay 5 WORD COUNT 1,516 Do questions like "Why should I be moral?" or " Why shouldn't I be selfish?" have definitive answers as do some questions in other Areas of Knowledge? Does having a definitive answer make a question more or less important? When the question "Why should I be moral?" or "Why shouldn't I be selfish?" Is asked, it is difficult to give an accurate or precise answer. When we consider an action to be morally incorrect we refer to nothing more but what is considered incorrect in the premises of our own society, and our community. Communities are shaped and influenced by its surrounding geography and historical events that occur, thereby creating a diverse spectrum of traditions and beliefs. In order to have a definitive answer, first we must all have the same belief. It is easy to find the definite answer when we are trying to answer questions such as "what does one plus one equal?" Because we all have the same beliefs, in other words, we all believe in the same reason. However when it comes to the question "Why should I be moral?" or "Why shouldn't I be selfish?" It is impossible to find a definitive answer because many different reasons are legitimate. There is no difference in significance between the two questions; the difference is merely what areas of knowledge the question is centered upon.
I would like to begin my evaluation of moral relativism by further exploring the concept. The primary ideas of moral relativism are that moral differences between societies around the world should be accepted
Morals are the principle foundations of all human decisions, judgements, and actions. Our politics, laws, and social activities are all shaped by our standards of morals and ethics. As time progressed through human history, the interactions between variously different cultures have occurred more frequently; thereby, creating a philosophical dilemma in dealing with different societies with very different sets of moral values. Now entering the modern era, comprehension of inter-cultural relationships is extremely important and relevant, as corporations encompass a greater number of nations around the world, and global participation becomes the driving force of the economic mechanics. The concept of morality is much too varied and intricate to comprehend, even though every human individual has a certain set of morals or a code of ethics that they live by day to day. These sets of morals are diverse, as much or more so than the number of different cultures that exist on the Earth. It is the diversity of the human moral code that creates a potentially problematic situation for cross-cultural understanding, international cooperation, and the larger scheme of globalization. Since different societies function on a different set of moral values, we need to further understand how relationships between different moral societies take place, and whether or not comparisons can be made
Euthanasia: The Right to Die
Euthanasia: The Right to Die Euthanasia is the justified or assisted killing of a disabled ill person. This can be done at their own will or if the patient is incapable of making the decision, on the family's will. In today's society, there are many disagreements about the rights and wrongs of euthanasia. Are there no options when life is meaningless and should be quietly ended? (Bernard & Leone 1989). People who suffer day and night physically, mentally, and emotionally often ask themselves the same question. There is only one real cure to their suffering, and while that cure is illegal in Canada, that cure is death. For some people the suffering can only end if there is reform made to Canadian laws. Euthanasia should be legal in Canada to allow the terminally ill patients to commit any form of euthanasia. Patients should have the right to choose to die for many reasons. First of all, euthanasia is already quietly and secretly practiced today. Secondly, many Canadians approve of euthanasia. Finally, we must support people's choices even if we disagree with them because it is their life and that is why they should have the right to choose. Euthanasia should be legalized in Canada because it relieves the unnecessary pain and suffering of patients and their families. Within the last twenty years, euthanasia and assisted suicide has been prominent in the headlines (Guy,
En qu se basan las creencias espirituales?
Colegio Integral Colegio Internacional de Educación Holística para la paz Esteban Erazo Domingo, 16 de noviembre de 2008 4to azul Ensayo de TDC Elaboración de dos Ensayos de entre 1200 y 1500 palabras sobre los siguientes títulos prescritos: ¿En qué se basan las creencias espirituales? Elija un ejemplo de una creencia particular (por ejemplo, sobre la creación del mundo o la naturaleza de la vida después de la muerte) y considérelo desde el punto de vista del ateísmo y al menos dos de las principales religiones. Presente en cada caso las justificaciones que resultan convincentes para los creyentes. Su objetivo no es establecer la verdad o falsedad de una determinada religión, sino explorar la creencia y la justificación. ¿En qué medida puede clasificarse una creencia espiritual como "conocimiento"? ¿Negarle a una creencia el carácter de conocimiento disminuiría su valor o significación? Caracteres importantes en el conocimiento han sido las convicciones que tenemos sobre las cosas, de ahí una gran diversidad de percepciones y formas de ver realidades traducidas en creencias, todo esto forma religión, y puesto que existe diversidad en las convicciones también genera en la vida del humano diferentes preguntas, contestadas de distintas formas debido a su medio, es decir varias religiones, por ende muchas creencias y para que estas perduren y sean
Discuss Kohlberg's stages of moral development.
Discuss Kohlberg's stages of moral development Working as a developmental psychologist then turning his interest to the field of moral education, Lawrence Kohlberg became to be well known for his theory of moral development. His theory spurred the interest of the psychological community on moral development (Nucci, 2002). His ideas were influenced by Jean Piaget, John Dewey, and James Mark Baldwin. He argued that experiences shape children's understandings of moral concepts such as justice, rights, equality, and human welfare. Kohlberg developed his theory from the research that he conducted at Harvard's Center for Moral Education (Barger, 2000). To evaluate the moral stages, Kohlberg made a series of moral dilemmas that pit one moral value against another (Kalat, 2002). He observed the explanations, not the choices, that the subject made. The explanations were used to match the subject to one of Kohlberg's stages. Kohlberg's theory of levels and stages of moral reasoning is supported by findings from longitudinal and cross-cultural research. Kohlberg divided moral development into six distinguished stages which can be identified into three major levels. The first level is the level of pre-conventional morality. The first stage is defined by punishment and obedience. This stage is characterized by the elementary school level (Barger, 2000). People follow the rules of
In this essay let us look over the mountains of data collected in this vast debate on euthanasia and assisted suicide, and select some of the prime issues raised by supporters of assisted suicide.
Assisted Suicide Should Not be Legal In this essay let us look over the mountains of data collected in this vast debate on euthanasia and assisted suicide, and select some of the prime issues raised by supporters of assisted suicide. And let's give space to treating these issues in depth. Many argue that a decision to kill oneself is a private choice about which society has no right to be concerned. This position assumes that suicide results from competent people making autonomous, rational decisions to die, and then claims that society has no business "interfering" with a freely chosen life or death decision that harms no one other than the suicidal individual. But according to experts who have studied suicide, the basic assumption is wrong. A careful 1974 British study, which involved extensive interviews and examination of medical records, found that 93 percent of those studied who committed suicide were mentally ill at the time.[1] A similar St. Louis study, published in 1984, found a mental disorder in 94 percent of those who committed suicide.[2] There is a great body of psychological evidence that those who attempt suicide are normally ambivalent,[3] that they usually attempt suicide for reasons other than a settled desire to die,[4] and that they are predominantly the victims of mental disorder. Shouldn't it be a person's own choice? Almost all of those who
Assess the future relevance of liberal Protestant theological traditions in the context of World Christianity.
Samuel Pickering Assess the future relevance of liberal Protestant theological traditions in the context of World Christianity. This essay will examine the place of liberal Protestant Christianity within World Christianity and attempt to predict it's future impact. In order to answer the title question, two main areas of research must be combined. The first is the future of liberal Protestant traditions which will naturally lead to issues of World Christianity due to it's decline within it's traditional sphere of influence (i.e. the West). The second is how said liberal Protestant Christianity will develop and grow (or not), within World Christianity. It should also be noted at this stage that the definition used throughout this work is that of Lamin Sanneh, "World Christianity" being truly local expressions of Christianity as opposed to "Global Christianity", the intentional reproduction of European traditions.1 While undoubtedly one of the most significant movements within modern Christianity, Liberal Protestant Christianity has in some respects already waned beyond the point of having any significant impact upon contemporary World Christianity2. This position is unlikely to be reversed in the future. However, though liberal Protestantism may lack overt influence, this is not to say it has become irrelevant, due to several key concepts which have been absorbed and
What is the nature of Ethics? What is the purpose of studying Ethics? Distinguish moral philosophy from Religion.
What is the nature of Ethics? What is the purpose of studying Ethics? Distinguish moral philosophy from Religion. Essay plan Definition of Ethics Ethics is utilized to refer to the consensually shared points of intersection within the personal morals of a group or society. Morals are personal, ethics are societal (in some cases even trans-societal), though this begs the question "what are morals?" Morals are one's personal set of guidelines for determine "right" actions from "wrong" actions. Ethics brings the dilemma of deciding what or not to do. There is a conflict of pursing my self-interests or not or whether to pursue the interest of others. In choosing how to act, one should acknowledge that many of their actions affect others, even if only indirectly. This only sets the stage where morality can play. Morality is personal to each individual because our concept of good and bad varies immensely to the next person. Religion, race and environment are only few elements that I may find it acceptable to kill someone because he upsets me and I didn't like him while to my own brother it is an unthinkable act to do. Concerns for our self-interest can blind us to the ways our behaviour significantly affects other's interest or lead us to give inadequate weight to others interests. But failing to question our moral status can make us overlook just how wrong some of our
Discuss Mills concept of utilitarianism as a moral theory.
Griffiths, Jodi Louise - Halifax College Discuss Mills concept of utilitarianism as a moral theory. John Stuart Mill - Utilitarianism Although today the concept of Utilitarianism is identified with the writer John Stuart Mill the idea of utility was fully developed by the earlier thinker Jeremy Bentham. Mills essay 'Utilitarianism' was effectively a response to the early criticisms of Bentham's work and it recognises some of the difficulties utilitarianism encounters in both a theoretical and applied sense. Mill holds a teleological view believing that 'all action is for the sake of some end'(Chapter I) and it is on this basis that utilitarianism makes utility the foundations for morality. Mill reminds us in the first chapter of 'Utilitarianism' what is indeed meant by utilitarianism, namely it 'holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness'. Utility is the equivalent of happiness or pleasure and it is this that has intrinsic value and worth. He dismisses the idea of any theory that suggests that ultimate principles are known a priori such as deontological theories hold. He doesn't believe that moral actions can be deemed right or wrong in themselves. Mill dismisses such claims, as he believes they cannot be compliant with any proof. Utilitarianism on the other hand is a concept
1st Amendment: Freedom of religion The freedom of religion has been a source for a lot of controversy also while being the foundation of our country, which is why I have chosen this topic for discussion.
Hunter Hallock 0/6/2009 Written Assignment Dr. Williams st Amendment: Freedom of religion The freedom of religion has been a source for a lot of controversy also while being the foundation of our country, which is why I have chosen this topic for discussion. The freedom of religion means that the people have the freedom to manifest religion or belief, practice, worship, and observance. This gives much freedom but often this freedom is taken advantage of. This amendment gives the right for anyone to establish a religion, no matter how out of the ordinary it may be as long as it abides by the laws. An individual could make up a religion to gain advantages in his or her life and it can also be used for an individual who has a legitimate practice. Either way, the freedom of religion is used to avoid persecution from the government. The interpretation of the amendment has drastically changed over the course of history. In the beginning, the freedom of religion had a biased look at "freedom" and the government would shun some practices and stick to formal ideas of religion. Today, the amendment has a more strict sense of "freedom" because of all the religions that are available. In my opinion, there should be some reform because there are many people who try to get away with things because of their "faith" that they truly don't practice (I.E: the church of euthanasia, where