ACCT 340 Six Major Ethics Systems and My Beliefs ESSAY 2017.pdf

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absolutism, conflicting absolutism, and graded absolutism. Each has its own tenets/beliefs and its

own set of problems. Antinomianism, situationism, and generalism are all based on non-

absolutes and therefore do not fall in line with a Christian worldview. Unqualified absolutism,

conflicting absolutism, and graded absolutism, as the names suggest are based on absolutes and

are rooted in God and His moral standards set forth for us.

Antinomians are against any form of law or morals, basically they are lawless. According

to the course slideshow- antinomianism, “holds there are no binding moral laws, everything is

relative. There are no God given moral laws. There are no objective laws. Individuals simply

choose to live by laws.”

“Situationism affirms there is one absolute law” (Geisler, p.18). They believe in the “Law

presence of principles in decision making process is necessary and that merely on the basis of

principles, rationality of moral thought would be possible” (Khazaei, p.1).

Unqualified absolutism “argues that all moral precepts are always absolute. Therefore, for

any situation, one ought to do/not do x. All moral conflicts are only apparent. It is always

possible to do right or to avoid doing something that is wrong” (McCallum). The course

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has expressed his unchanging moral character in His law. God cannot contradict Himself. Moral

laws never conflict with each other; all other conflicts are only apparent and therefore not real.”

According to the course slideshow, conflicting absolutism is, “God’s moral law is

absolute and binding on all. There are moral conflicts that are unavoidable. When there is a

moral conflict an individual has a duty to do the less evil. Forgiveness is available to the

individual for not following the other moral absolute.” McCallum adapted Geisler’s view into:

“This view argues that there are moral dilemmas and conflicts. In these cases, one should do the

lesser evil. However, the lesser evil is still wrong even though one may be doing what is

“humanly” right. Doing what fulfills the highest rule in a situation may be excusable is the actor

did not precipitate the moral conflict through antecedent evil acts. But it may still be wrong in

that it does not fulfill every moral rule which applies to the situation. Hence tragic moral choices

exist.”

mercy over veracity. Thus, God grants an exemption to the lower moral law in view of one’s duty

to obey the higher law” (Shockley, p.8-9). The course slideshow defines it as, “Many moral

principles are rooted in the absolute moral character of God. There are higher and lower moral

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for not keeping the lower one.”

Personally, I would most likely identify myself as a conflicting absolutist. I have found

through personal experiences in certain situations there really is no option other than the lesser of

two evils and therefore that rules out me following the unqualified absolutism system. Knowing

as long as I chose the lesser evil when there is no real idea outcome and that forgiveness is there

for me from God for taking the high road and doing the best in a tough situation lets me be at

peace that I can handle any situation. I could also see where sometimes I may rely somewhat on

a graded absolutism view, such as with Geisler’s hierarchy for love of God over man, and

obedience to God over government. While being a lawful citizen I am to follow all laws of the

government I find that ultimately God is my ruler, not the government and therefore a conflict

could stem from a higher/lower moral conflict situation. I do not agree with antinomianism,

situationism, or generalism as they are not based on absolutes and therefore have no values based

on anything following God’s laws.

Going back to my view of conflicting absolutism and the lesser of two evils, I have

thought was something minor to a serious situation. Having a conflicting absolute belief, I find

comfort in knowing that I will at least be forgiven knowing that there are moral conflicts that are

unavoidable.

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Wiley-Blackwell.

(2nd ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

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http://www.xenos.org/essays/geislers-three-schools-principlized-ethics

Shockley, P. (2015). How Graded Absolutism Can Be Virtuous | Paul R. Shockley -