Christian Ethics: Glossary of Terms

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Questions and Answers

Explain how the concept of reciprocity relates to ethics and provide an example of its application in daily life.

Reciprocity, related to the golden rule, means exchanging actions or considerations for mutual benefit. An example could be helping a neighbor with yard work, expecting they might assist you in a similar way later.

How might a secular perspective differ from a religious perspective on the concept of the soul?

A secular perspective typically views the soul as a non-religious concept, perhaps referring to the mind, personality, or consciousness, without necessarily attributing it to an eternal or spiritual nature. A religious perspective often sees the soul as a spiritual entity, the essence of a person, and potentially immortal.

Describe how a person's conscience plays a role in their ethical decision-making process.

Conscience guides ethical decisions by helping individuals discern right from wrong, influencing the choices they make based on their moral understanding and values.

Explain how the concept of 'inviolability' relates to discussions about human rights and dignity.

Inviolability suggests that every individual has the right to be respected and should not be violated or ignored, directly connecting to the idea of inherent human rights and dignity. Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of 'dignity' relate to the principles of reverence for life?

Dignity asserts that every human being possesses inherent worth and thus deserves respect, which is foundational to the principle of reverence for all human life. Signup and view all the answers

How does the idea of moral relativism impact discussions of universal human rights?

Moral relativism suggests that right and wrong are determined by cultural or individual beliefs. This impacts the idea of universal human rights by potentially undermining the notion that certain rights are applicable to all people, regardless of culture or personal belief. Signup and view all the answers

Outline the key difference between active and passive euthanasia.

Active euthanasia involves actively intervening to end a life (e.g., administering a lethal substance), while passive euthanasia involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, leading to a natural death. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the 'slippery slope' argument in the context of euthanasia.

The slippery slope argument suggests that legalizing voluntary euthanasia may inevitably lead to acceptance of involuntary or non-voluntary euthanasia, which can result in undesirable outcomes and ethical breaches. Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of human dignity relate to the rights and freedoms outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)? Provide an example.

Human dignity is upheld when the rights and freedoms in the UDHR are respected, ensuring individuals are treated with fairness and compassion. For example, Article 5 strictly prohibits torture to protect individual's sense of self-worth. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how discrimination, as addressed in Article 2 of the UDHR, undermines human dignity.

Discrimination undermines human dignity by treating individuals as unequal or unworthy of respect based on arbitrary characteristics like race, gender, or religion, which violates their inherent value. Signup and view all the answers

Describe some potential benefits of stem cell research, particularly in the context of treating diseases.

Stem cell research offers potential treatments for diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and spinal cord injuries, as stem cells can develop into various types of cells to repair damaged tissues and organs. Signup and view all the answers

Outline some of the ethical concerns associated with stem cell research, particularly concerning the use of embryos.

A primary ethical concern is that stem cell research often involves destroying embryos, which many people consider morally wrong because they believe an embryo has the potential for life. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why abortion is a controversial topic when considering varying views on when life begins.

Abortion is controversial because differing views exist on when life begins. If one believes life begins at conception, abortion is viewed as ending a human life; however, if one believes life begins later in the pregnancy, abortion is seen differently. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the contrasting arguments for and against abortion, highlighting the conflict between a woman's autonomy and the rights of the fetus.

Arguments for abortion often emphasize a woman's right to decide what happens to her body, while arguments against it focus on the right to life of the fetus, creating a conflict between a woman's autonomy and fetal rights. Signup and view all the answers

Outline the primary differences in legal restrictions on abortion across different states/territories in Australia. Name one.

Laws vary by state/territory; some require doctors agreement, some allow abortion to certain point of pregnancy and require certain qualifications. New South Wales has decriminalized abortion, but other restrictions apply in other states. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Catholic Church's stance on abortion and explain the reasoning behind it.

The Catholic Church opposes abortion, based on the belief that life begins at conception and that abortion interferes with God's plan for that life, thus violating divine sovereignty. Signup and view all the answers

Identify some conditions commonly required in jurisdictions where voluntary assisted dying is legal.

Common conditions include an advanced and progressive terminal illness, intolerable suffering, and the assessment of multiple medical practitioners. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Hippocratic Oath, and how does it relate to the debate on euthanasia?

The Hippocratic Oath is a traditional oath taken by doctors, pledging to uphold ethical standards, including preserving life. It relates to the euthanasia debate because some interpret it as opposing any action that directly ends life. Signup and view all the answers

Briefly describe how the sanctity of life principle informs religious viewpoints on euthanasia.

The sanctity of life principle says that human life is inherently sacred and should not be intentionally ended, thus informing the religious view that euthanasia is against God's sovereignty. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how varying interpretations of scripture can lead to differing views on the morality of euthanasia within Christianity.

Some scriptures say life is sacred and should be preserved, leading to opposition of euthanasia. Others emphasize compassion and relief from suffering, used to support it under certain circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is Abortion?

Deliberate termination of a pregnancy.

What is an Encyclical?

A letter written by the Pope to all bishops of the Church.