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Running head: ETHIC SYSTEMS 1
Ethic Systems
Joe R. Estrada
Liberty University
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Ethic Systems
The Christian Ethics book by Geisler explores the different views of ethics, especially those
proposed by Christians. Ethics refers to differentiating between rights from wrong and
choosing to do what one would consider right.
“Assumption of blamelessness is an essential right in most democratic nations; but,
beyond law and order, the assumption of honesty has repercussions in all parts of our
lives. From child-rearing to training to business to political concerns, and everything
in the middle of society, we are ceaselessly tested to accept the best in others and
endure the failure and results when our trust ends up having been misdirected”
(Crosbie, 2008, p.181).
According to Geisler (2010), there are six significant ethical systems displayed by
individuals, of which three are comparable to Christian views, unqualified absolutism,
conflicting absolutism, and graded absolutism, while the remaining three, antinomianism,
situationism, and generalism are secular acceptance views. However, there are varying
definitions of what is considered right or wrong based on religion, experiences and other
social attributes. This essay discusses two ethics systems from the Christian Ethics textbook:
generalism and unqualified absolutism and what they mean in the context of a Christian
worldview.
Generalism
One ethics system proposed by Geisler (2010) is generalism which is more or less the
utilitarianism ethics system. According to Geisler, generalism involves choosing an action
that will bring the greatest good to the highest number of people. Generalism does not include
any universally binding ethical norms but dictates that each action should lead to greater good
instead of evil. What this implies that actions are not judged based on their value or what they
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stand for, but by the outcome. The critical weakness of this ethics system is that the “greater
good” is objective in the eyes of the action doer and that the ultimate end or outcome of an
action is often ambiguous (Howe, 2005).
Unqualified Absolutism
Unqualified Absolutism is another ethics system that suggests that moral conflicts are
not real and that people can always avoid sin. According to Geisler (2010), all ethical rules
are absolute and that people should not have a reason to break them. When it comes to
handling ethical dilemmas, unqualified absolutism ethics system suggests that the dilemma is
often as a result of the person’s sin or deviation from the ethical rules and that the person
must live with the consequences of these sins. Unqualified absolutism is different from
generalism in that the former relies on God’s nature while addressing dilemmas whereas the
latter relies on a system of values that are not absolute.
The ethics systems in the context of a Christian worldview
In the Christian worldview, generalism means using the Christian values to determine
what is right from wrong and what ultimate end could be desirable for a Christian. Since
generalism does not involve universally binding laws, Christians would need to use Christian
teachings to guide their actions. What this implies instead of taking measures with the
purpose of impressing other people, Christians with a generalism ethics system perform
actions to please God (Hollinger, 2002).
In the Christian worldview, unqualified absolutism means that a Christian’s actions
should be based on God’s nature and providence and that choosing any other option is sin and
it is what leads to ethical dilemmas. Meaning that Christians should always act based on the
teachings of God and that God has designed man’s morals in such a way that sin is not
necessary. The Christian life is not designed in a way that it is essential to do the lesser evil in
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order to avoid sin (Geisler, 2010). Therefore, by fully following the teachings of God, a
Christian can leave a sin free life.
Conclusion
In generalism, there are some guiding moral principles and laws, none of which is
absolute. To avoid ethical conflicts, Christians would need to refer to the Christian teachings
and value system for guidance in taking actions involving ethics. According to Strudler
(2009), lying and misleading are both commonly wrong because they involve an aim to
breach a trust, regardless of the outcome” (p.172). Therefore, in contrast, in unqualified
absolutism, Christians do not have a choice in dealing with real-life conflicts and dilemmas
as they have to live according to God’s nature and providence. “Every good and perfect gift is
from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like
shifting shadows” (James 1:17, NIV), meaning Christ-like is absolute.
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References
Crosbie, R. (2008) "Who defines ethics in your organization?." Industrial and Commercial
Training, (40)4, p.181-187. Retrieve from: https://www-emeraldinsight-
com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/doi/full/10.1108/00197850810876226
Geisler, N. L. (2010). Christian ethics: contemporary issues and options. Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Academic.
Hollinger, D. P. (2002). Choosing the good: Christian ethics in a complex world. Grand
Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
Howe, T., Geisler, N. L. (2005). Objectivity in biblical interpretation. Altamonte Springs, FL:
Advantage Books.
Strudler, A. (2010). The distinctive wrong in lying. Ethical Theory and Moral Practice,
13(2), p. 171-179. Retrieve from: https://search-proquest-
com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/docview/872346932?pq-origsite=summon&accountid=12085
