Discussion Post: Normative Ethics
After viewing the lessons for this unit and doing all the readings, answer the following questions in your Discussion for this unit/module.
The questions are:
1) Ethics and Religion - Is religion a good way to know right from wrong? If so, how does it work? Do sacred texts give good moral advice? Does the natural law lead us toward how God would want us to live (if there is a God)? Describe Plato's "Euthyphro Problem" and how religionists can get around that critique of using religion in ethics.
2) Human Nature - What does Egoism and the Social Contract say about human nature? Are we good or evil, selfless or selfish, at heart? And what should we do about it? Use Hobbes as a conversation partner, either for or against him.
3) Consequences - What makes an action right or wrong? Is an action right or wrong depending on its consequences? Or does it depend on the motive behind it? Contrast utilitarians and Kant on the question of whether an actions consequences make it right or wrong, and pick a side. Make a case for either Kant or Bentham/Mill.
YouTube Videos:
• "Ethics - Utilitarianism"
• "Absolutism and Kant"
• "Ethics and Religion, pt. 1"
• "Ethics and Religion, pt. 2"
• "Ethics - Ethical Theory - Social Contract"
The response must include a reference list. One-inch margins, double-space, Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font and APA style of writing and citations.