Study Questions - Ethics Chapter 3.5 & 4 PDF

Ethics Study Questions: Chapter 3.5 & 4 **[Subjectivism in Ethics] (only the last part of chapter 3)** **3.5. (Or 3.7 depending on the edition)** \- What reasons are commonly given by people who oppose Gay Rights? = - Many opponents of gay rights argue that homosexuality is unnatural, of...

Ethics Study Questions: Chapter 3.5 & 4 **[Subjectivism in Ethics] (only the last part of chapter 3)** **3.5. (Or 3.7 depending on the edition)** \- What reasons are commonly given by people who oppose Gay Rights? = - Many opponents of gay rights argue that homosexuality is unnatural, often citing traditional beliefs about marriage and family structures. - Some believe that allowing same-sex relationships would undermine societal morals and values. - Others argue that gay rights conflict with religious beliefs, claiming that homosexuality is condemned by their faith. \- What does "unnatural" mean? Your author lists three possibilities. = - It could mean something that is not found in nature (e.g., behaviors not observed in animals). - It could refer to actions that are harmful or destructive. - It might imply actions that are not aligned with the purpose of human existence, according to a particular philosophical or theological framework. \- What do scientific studies of Gay parents tell us about how well adjusted their children are? = Research indicates that children raised by gay parents are just as well-adjusted as those raised by heterosexual parents. These studies challenge the notion that the sexual orientation of parents affects a child\'s emotional and psychological health. \- What problems arise when we rely on the Bible to condemn homosexuality? = - One problem is the ambiguity and varying interpretations of biblical texts related to homosexuality. - Different denominations and traditions interpret the Bible in diverse ways, leading to conflicting views on the morality of homosexuality. - The context of biblical times may not be directly applicable to contemporary discussions about sexuality and rights. **[Does Morality Depend on Religion]**? **(All of chapter 4)** **4.1.** \- What are some of the examples that are given to show that the United States is a religious country? = - Rachels notes that the U.S. has numerous references to God in public life, such as on currency (\"In God We Trust\") and in the Pledge of Allegiance. - Many Americans identify as religious and participate in religious practices, indicating a significant role of religion in American culture. **4.2.** \- What is the basic idea behind the Divine Command Theory? = The Divine Command Theory posits that what is morally right or wrong is determined by God\'s commands. \- What are some of the advantages behind this theory? = It provides a clear and absolute moral framework and connects morality with a higher authority. \- What are some of main problems with this theory? The author provides at least three. = 1. It leads to the Euthyphro dilemma: Is something right because God commands it, or does God command it because it is right? 2. It does not account for moral disagreements among different religions. 3. It can justify morally questionable acts if they are believed to be commanded by God. \- What are the drawbacks with arguing that "God commands us to do certain things *because they are right*"? = This approach suggests that moral standards exist independently of God, challenging the foundation of Divine Command Theory. **4.3.** \- What are the three main parts of the Theory of Natural Law? = 1. Human nature provides a basis for morality. 2. The world has a rational structure that humans can understand. 3. Moral laws are derived from human reason and the nature of human beings. \- According to Aristotle, what are the four questions that must be asked in order to understand anything? = 1. What is it? (What is the nature of the thing?) 2. What is it made of? (What is its material cause?) 3. What is its purpose? (What is its final cause?) 4. What brought it into being? (What is its efficient cause?) \- What three reasons are given for why the Theory of Natural Law has been rejected outside of the Catholic Church? = 1. It is viewed as overly prescriptive and rigid. 2. Critics argue that it is based on a flawed understanding of human nature. 3. There is a preference for secular moral theories that do not rely on religious foundations. **4.4.** \- What are some of the difficulties that we face when relying on Scriptures to find specific moral guidance? - The scriptures can be ambiguous, leading to multiple interpretations. - Cultural and historical contexts can change, affecting the applicability of ancient texts to modern issues. \- How do these difficulties with interpreting the Scriptures appear when it comes to the issue of Abortion? = Different interpretations of biblical texts regarding the beginning of life lead to diverse opinions about the morality of abortion. \- How has the Church Tradition on Abortion changed over the centuries? = The Church\'s stance has evolved, with earlier views being more permissive compared to stricter contemporary positions.