Podcast
Questions and Answers
What defines a dilemma?
What defines a dilemma?
What does Divine Command Theory assert?
What does Divine Command Theory assert?
According to Relativism, what is necessary to determine whether an action is right or wrong?
According to Relativism, what is necessary to determine whether an action is right or wrong?
What did William Paley compare the universe to in his Design Argument?
What did William Paley compare the universe to in his Design Argument?
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What was the main finding of Milgram's Shock Experiment?
What was the main finding of Milgram's Shock Experiment?
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What is the principle of Situation Ethics?
What is the principle of Situation Ethics?
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What do absolutists believe about moral principles?
What do absolutists believe about moral principles?
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Which of the following is NOT considered an influence on our decisions?
Which of the following is NOT considered an influence on our decisions?
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What does the pro-choice perspective primarily emphasize regarding abortion?
What does the pro-choice perspective primarily emphasize regarding abortion?
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What is a common reasoning used by those in favor of legalizing abortion?
What is a common reasoning used by those in favor of legalizing abortion?
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Which statement reflects the 'sanctity of life' belief?
Which statement reflects the 'sanctity of life' belief?
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According to the scientific perspective, when does personhood begin?
According to the scientific perspective, when does personhood begin?
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What is a significant consequence of backstreet abortions?
What is a significant consequence of backstreet abortions?
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What is a potential ethical concern regarding designer babies?
What is a potential ethical concern regarding designer babies?
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Which religious perspective supports the belief that life is valuable at all stages?
Which religious perspective supports the belief that life is valuable at all stages?
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How did the legalization of abortion in the UK affect abortion rates?
How did the legalization of abortion in the UK affect abortion rates?
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What concern is raised regarding the practice of 'sex selection' in abortion?
What concern is raised regarding the practice of 'sex selection' in abortion?
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Which of the following summarizes a pro-choice view on unwanted pregnancies?
Which of the following summarizes a pro-choice view on unwanted pregnancies?
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What is a key argument against legalizing designer babies?
What is a key argument against legalizing designer babies?
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In the context of pro-life beliefs, what does the term 'sanctity of life' imply?
In the context of pro-life beliefs, what does the term 'sanctity of life' imply?
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Which of the following is a potential benefit of designer babies, according to proponents?
Which of the following is a potential benefit of designer babies, according to proponents?
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What is a key characteristic of absolutism?
What is a key characteristic of absolutism?
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Which statement best describes Divine Command Theory?
Which statement best describes Divine Command Theory?
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What is a criticism of Situation Ethics?
What is a criticism of Situation Ethics?
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What does the term 'personhood' refer to in the context of abortion?
What does the term 'personhood' refer to in the context of abortion?
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According to proponents of the pro-life stance, when does life begin?
According to proponents of the pro-life stance, when does life begin?
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What is one advantage of Divine Command Theory?
What is one advantage of Divine Command Theory?
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What is the main idea behind Situation Ethics?
What is the main idea behind Situation Ethics?
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Which of the following best exemplifies the slippery slope argument?
Which of the following best exemplifies the slippery slope argument?
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Which is a commonly cited negative aspect of Divine Command Theory?
Which is a commonly cited negative aspect of Divine Command Theory?
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What does Agape Love specifically refer to?
What does Agape Love specifically refer to?
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In the context of abortion, what is meant by 'viability'?
In the context of abortion, what is meant by 'viability'?
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What is a primary belief of relativists regarding moral actions?
What is a primary belief of relativists regarding moral actions?
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Which biblical principle emphasizes God's compassion?
Which biblical principle emphasizes God's compassion?
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Study Notes
Ethical Dilemmas & Moral Theories
- Dilemma: A situation with two equally undesirable choices.
- Obey: To follow instructions, even if they conflict with personal desires.
- Relativism: The belief that morality depends on the context of the situation.
- Absolutism: The belief that moral principles never change.
- Divine Command Theory: Right and wrong are determined by God's commands.
- Situation Ethics: Morality is determined by the most loving outcome in a given situation.
- Agape Love: Unconditional and selfless love, as exemplified in Christianity.
Ethical Arguments for God's Existence
- Cosmological Argument (Aquinas): The universe has a cause, and that first cause is God.
- Design Argument (Paley): The complexity of the universe suggests a designer—God.
Social Psychology Experiment
- Milgram's Shock Experiment: A study demonstrating obedience to authority, even when harmful actions are involved. Two-thirds of participants obeyed.
Factors Influencing Decisions
- Law: Legal regulations influence decisions.
- Friends & Family: Social relationships can influence choices.
- Religion: Faith-based beliefs often shape decisions.
- Greed & Selfishness: Personal desires can impact choices.
- Education: Learning and experiences influence ethical reasoning.
Positions on Obedience to Authority
- For: Obedience to authority is morally justifiable, as God is the ultimate authority.
- Against: Authority can lead to harmful actions, and individuals should think critically.
Relativism
- Moral principles are adaptable to different situations. Actions are not inherently right or wrong without context.
Absolutism
- Moral principles are unchanging; certain actions remain right or wrong.
- Emphasizes fairness and clear rules for a well-functioning society.
- Examples of absolutist views on stealing, lying, and killing.
Divine Command Theory
- An action is right if God commands it, a theory based on strict obedience.
- Positives: Clear guidelines, lack of emotional distortion in decision-making, set rules directly from God.
- Negatives: Potential contradictions in God's commands, difficulty knowing God's will, differing interpretations of those beliefs, issues with outdated commands.
Situation Ethics
- Morality is solely determined by the most loving consequences of a decision.
- Positives: Considers specific situations and promotes empathy.
- Negatives: Difficult to objectively measure the "most loving."
The Abortion Debate
- UK Abortion Law: Legal up to 24 weeks in certain circumstances (disability, mother’s health).
- Pro-life: Beliefs that suggest a fetus has a right to life and abortion is morally wrong.
- Pro-choice: The belief that a woman has the right to choose whether to have an abortion.
- Personhood: The ethical status of being considered a person.
- Viability: The ability of a fetus to survive outside the womb.
- Different perspectives on when personhood begins (e.g., conception vs. birth).
- Sanctity of Life: The idea that life is sacred and should be protected.
- Quality of Life: Considerations surrounding the potential difficulties of raising a child with a condition.
- Backstreet Abortions - illegal unsafe abortions, impacting global abortion rates.
- Reasons for accessing illegal abortions
Designer Babies:
- Arguments Against: Concerns about potential quality of life issues, potential for social inequality, manipulation of life (playing God).
- Arguments For: Potential to prevent serious diseases, enhance human health, and improve overall quality of life.
Scientific & Philosophical Perspectives on Personhood
- Scientific: Debates on when personhood begins (conception, specific brain development milestones.)
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Description
Test your understanding of ethical dilemmas, moral theories, and arguments for God's existence. This quiz explores concepts such as relativism, absolutism, and various ethical viewpoints, alongside key psychological experiments demonstrating obedience. Perfect for students of ethics and philosophy!