How does each system define “the good?” How does each claim to know “the good?”
In this discussion, the metaethical theories discussed will be Duty Ethics and Christian
ethical theory. Duty Ethics is the fulfillment of one’s “moral obligations” , also referred to as
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deontology. Immanuel Kant’s Duty Ethics is principle based which means that following this
form of ethics should be an easy task. An example of this would be the universal laws of not
lying, stealing or committing murder, which are pretty simple ethical rules for one to follow.
However, many seem to struggle with determining what is right and what is wrong. Some may
have to steal food to feed themselves or their family, which within the practice of deontology
would be morally acceptable because it is for the benefit of the person or family in need, which
would define “the good” in this instance. Duty Ethics claims to know “the good” based on its
view that mankind has a duty to act properly, disregarding the good or bad.
However, Christian ethical theory bases its belief system around the law and
commandments set forth by God’s Word which further directs mankind on how to live and
instills the knowingness of what is right or wrong. As stated, a Christian ethics view is found to
be “a valuable set of moral guidelines and ideals for society” . Instructions to be like God, which
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is the basis for Christian ethics, can be found throughout the Bible such as in Leviticus 19:2 it is
stated to Moses, “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You
shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” . Therefore, Christian ethical theory would
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define “the good” as being like God. Additionally, the Christian ethical theory claims to know
“the good” by recognizing the moral truths by using reasoning and revelation.
What, if any, do these systems have in common? What, if any, are their key differences?
The similarities between Duty Ethics and Christian ethical theory lie in the fact that they
both possess morals and share concern about mankind. They differ by how they come to
decipher those morals. With Duty Ethics, a bad act could be justified if it holds a benefit to the
party doing said act, whereas Christian ethical theory is Biblically based and there is no question
on what is right and what is wrong.
Which theory do you think is the stronger ethical theory?
Christian ethics is the stronger ethical theory from a Christian perspective, but in today’s
society Duty Ethics is stronger. Christian ethics operation as a whole is Biblically based and its
primary focus is on morality, whereas Duty Ethics share the theory that a bad act can be justified
if the situation calls for it. An example of this is if someone has to lie in order to protect the
whereabouts of their family. From a Duty Ethics perspective, the lie would be justified. Society
as a whole shifts to wanting to explain why their wrong act should be justified and truly diverts
to the old saying “desperate times call for desperate measures”. Times are hard right now for
many, and there has been a multitude of instances where Duty Ethics took preference over
Christian ethics. One example of this is the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. This can’t
1 Jones, Michael S., Mark J. Farnham, and David L. Saxon. “Sections.” Essay. In Talking about Ethics: A
Conversational Approach to Moral Dilemmas. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2021, 18.
2 Scott Rae, Moral Choices 4 Edition, (HarperCollins Christian, 2018), 52.
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3 Leviticus 19:2 (New King James Version)
be an easy task for someone who was raised to follow Christian ethics to not kill or cause harm,
as he or she now has a moral duty to their country to defend and attack in an effort to protect
themselves and their love ones. In the big scheme of things, even Christians shift to a way of
thinking that supports one who follows more a Duty Ethics approach. From a personal
perspective, God’s Word justifies this theory in Exodus when stated “If the thief is
found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed”
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therefore justifying the murder due to protecting one’s self. Further, in this ever changing world,
the two theories will continue to collide more than they would have in the Biblical era due to the
constant shift in the way society views things now.
Bibliography
Jones, Michael S., Mark J. Farnham, and David L. Saxon. Talking About Ethics: A
Conversational Approach to Moral Dilemmas. Kregel Academic, 2021.
Rae, Scott. , 4 Edition. HarperCollins Christian, 2018.
Moral Choices th
4 Exodus 22:2 (New King James Version)
