PHIL 201STUDY GUIDE: LESSON 23Deontology and Christian EthicsLesson Overview:In our last lesson, we explored 2 ethical theories based on consequences. These theories held that the morally right thing to do is that which produces the best consequences. In this lesson, we will explore ethical theories that are non-consequentialistic. These are called deontological theories and hold that the right thing to do is not based on consequences but on obligations we have. Deontological theories hold that we have a moral obligation to perform certain actions whether or not they produce good consequences. For Christians, these obligations are grounded in our commitment to God. We will read 3 chapters from Holmes for this lesson. In Chapter 6, Holmes sets up a structure from which to approach a Christian ethic and will introduce the 2 overriding principles that should guide our thinking about moral obligations. In Chapter 7, we will explore the different possible ways we can learn what our moral obligations are. Finally in Chapter 8, we will examine exactly how our obligations are grounded in our relation to God.Tasks:View and take notes on the presentation, “A Comparison of Consequentialism and Deontology.”- Explain the areas of contrast between consequential ethics and deontological ethics—especially note the balance statement and that end of each view.Consequentialism DeontologyResult oriented Rule orientedPragmatic PrinciplisticExtrinsic value Intrinsic valueEnds justify the means Means are self-justifyingBalance: Rule keeping brings Banlance: Best results will generally occur ifabout best results (if not, don’t keep) you keep the rules (but that’s not why you keep them)- Explain the idea of the right and the good in relation to consequentialism and deontological ethics.Consequentialism: the goal of ethics is to achieve the good. Right is related to , but separate from the good; an action is judged as right if it achieves the good, i.e. lyingDeontology: the goal of ethics is doing the right. Some deontologists equate the right with the good - an action is right because it's good i.e. telling the truthRead Chapters 6 and 7 of Ethics: Approaching Moral Decisions, “Toward a Christian Ethic,” and “Moral Knowledge.” As you read, make sure you know and understand the following questions and points:From Chapter 6:- What is the most important good for Christians?Love our God with all our being and for his sake to love others as ourselves. (do unto others) (pg 52)- What 2 major principles should guide all Christian ethics?consequential principle, principle of distributive justice (pg. 52)aka: love & justice- Why does Holmes believe Christian utilitarianism fails?we need an indpendent principle of justice to ensure an equitable distribution of goodPage 1 of 5PHIL 201- List the 4 ingredients to Holmes’ structure for a Christian ethic.1. cases2. area rules3. principles4. bases(pg. 52)- List some characteristics of moral principles in general.love, justice, and peace- How do love and justice relate to and balance each other?--love without justice would lack direction--justice without love would be uncaring and detached--together, they compromise the principles of God's kingdomJustice & love do not conflict, but contribute each to the other. As love is obligated in justice to distribute its benefits equitably, rather than playing favorites, so justice is motivated by love to keep its relentless question alive. Justice stresses the right outward ordering of life, while love is more an inner, personalized concern. (pg. 54-55)- Know the distinction between an act-ethic and a rule-ethic and why the latter is superior.act ethic-move directly from moral principles to the cases in which we act. no universal and lasting structures to human life exist-presupposes that no universal and lasting structures to human life exist, that there are no distinguishable areas of unchanging responsibility, no "action spheres" we all have in common. rule ethic- chrsitians need divine order -moral rules are valuable in living life wisely and well(pg. 56)- Why isn’t a rule-ethic legalism?--does not elevate to the level of exceptionless principles--does not bind the conscience to a set of humanly constructed rolesLegalism binds the conscience to humanly constructed rules for every possible situation, imposing a rule for every case. It hides the weightier matters of the law, the underlying principles of love & justice beneath a load of particular behavioral requirements. It elevates its rules to the level of exception-less principles. But not so a Christian rule-ethic. (pg. 56)- What are 2 ways deontologists normally deal with moral dilemmas?--rank moral rules according to their centrality to one's underlying principles--formulate rules to govern exceptions to the rulesPage 2 of 5PHIL 201From Chapter 7:- Know the problems with appealing to common morality, conscience, and intuition as a source for moral obligations.Common morality - tends to deal w/cases and common areas of life as they have been in the past, if it has been accumulating over the years, then the process continues, with changes that track the changing moral climate, acknowledges a common law established in social practices rooted in the past but still a guide for positive law (pg. 59)Conscience - moral faculty has a limited range of operation, varies significantly from person to person and culture to culture, endowed by God with a specifically moral facultywhich balances our natural tendency toward self-love and benevolence. (pg. 61)Intuition - variable we are not told what makes good good or right right, common sense in relation not to particular acts but to an overall moral principle (pg. 62)- Explain Kant’s form of deontology (duty for duty’s sake). What are some problems with applying the categorical imperative?We should always act from maxims (rules) that can without self-contradiction be universalized. (pg. 63)Problems: Extreme confidence in the person of good will and what is rationally derivabletherefrom. We have problems with our ability to expose such contradictions. Also with the limited extend of application that results. Common morality appears an inadequate source of moral knowledge. (pg. 63)--a good will excides willing something either because of its desirable consequences or because of our own inclination--it is not enough to act just in accordance with duty; we must act out of duty and respect for moral law- What are