ETHC 101 My Personal Ethical Theory and Poverty ESSAY 2020.pdf

My Personal Ethical Theory and Poverty

Capstone Essay

Lisa Laven

ETHC 101-B29

Table of Contents

I. Introduction… .......................................................................................................... 3

II. Virtue Ethics ............................................................................................................. 3

III. Revelation Christian Ethics ........................................................................................ 4

Introduction

personal ethical theory includes Virtue Ethics, Revelation Christian Ethics, and some of Divine

Nature Theory. I will first start off and describe my personal ethical theory and the application

process that leads into poverty. Then, I will apply a partial real-life theory based on my ethical

theories. I understand that not everyone will have the same feelings or outlooks as I do, but God

made us all in his eyes based on how he wanted us which all makes us different in our own way.

All opinions will vary from person to person, but this is my review and thoughts on poverty with

applying my theories.

Virtue Ethics

First, I theory I am applying is virtue ethics. Essentially, this approach to ethics says, “is a good

ethical trait that inclines a person to act and react in a moral way.”1 The part of virtue ethics that

these ethical habits, you will know what the right choices to make when confronted with ethical

challenges and dilemmas. As a Christian you can tie this into your everyday lifestyle by

following the path that Jesus mapped out for us in the Bible, but also doing the good work that

Jesus did, which can and will tie into the issue of poverty.

Revelation Christian Ethics

Revelational Christian Ethics applies to my personal theory for various reasons, but the biggest it

applies to my personal theory is because the Bible is the most important book, and Christians

that had religious and philosophical ideas, but also the views of Jesus Christ.”3 The Ten

would be a much more peaceful place if everyone believed in the Lord and if we honored the

father. However, this would also mean that we would need to have people spread the gospel to

people have never heard of King Jesus. Although, it is impossible for everyone to agree on these

principles. The other part of the Revelational Christian Ethic Theory that I have based my life on

since a child as well a lot of people have is the Golden Rule. I treat others the way I would like to

be treated, visa versa. However, this principle has its’ issues as well, because we all want to be

treated in different ways, but there are times that people do not know how to accommodate how

everyone wants to be treated. The key foundation of Revelational Christian Ethics is the Bible,

set by Jesus with careful thinking and understanding of his heart and conscience.4 This approach

to ethics allows us the take into consideration not just for the words, but to apply it to becoming a

“better Christians and better people.”5 We all can strive to be the best we can be and do the best

Poverty

substance abuse that leads to addiction. In addition, studies indicate that at least one-third and

perhaps as many as two-thirds of all homeless persons suffer from addiction disorders6. As a

Christian ending poverty and homelessness is a common goal that we should all share. All

Christians come from different theological backgrounds and also have different denominations.

There are still people in many countries that are actively advocating to have anti-poverty policies

in place at the state and national levels. A case that can apply to poverty is the case in regard to

Haiti. Haiti is a less fortunate country but has also suffered from several natural disasters that did

attract many people around the world to come together to help Haiti. Although there has been

help to the country, Haiti still remains a less fournate country. There are issues that come from no

clean running water, health issues that lead to death because they do not have the proper

When you apply virtue ethics to this scenario, there can be a better understanding on your

personal character, but also how you were raised. I grew up have the option of being in a church,

and if I did what religion I wanted to be. I was never pushed into having to go, and I believe this

were still people that were less fortunate then us. In fact, the day I was born, I was adopted by

happiness in life. So, just based on virtue ethics, I would have to say that we should look into

help others, but also do not look over the countries that are in need such as Haiti. Although,

poverty cannot always be prevented, it can be lifted, and hands can be offered to those in need. It

is a different world in other countries outside of the United States of America. I personally could

not live in poverty or even know how to survive, but I cannot say I would be never be hit in that

situation. Only God knows our path, and it is already mapped out for us. There are times when to

the countries force marriage on young girls, and this also is to help a family out of poverty. This

child is essentially innocent, although this poor child was raised to in a situation that was out of

his/her control. So, based on my research on virtue ethics, I would have to say living in poverty

is not morally acceptable, but trying your best to recover out of poverty is morally acceptable. I

the might. So, the poor have hope and injustice shuts her mouth.” 7There are no ways to compare

living in poverty to anything because when you hit poverty you have hit one of the lowest parts

of life that you can hit. Although, in this passage God is referring giving to the needy, he is also

poverty and only peaceful love and all people being equal within the different countries, it would

So, then comes the thought of, what if we help everyone in poverty, what would the world look

like? In the current state of our country as well as Haiti, I believe that if poverty becomes more

of an issue that the world will crumble before we know it. And another Bible verse that supports

poverty is Job 34:17-19, “Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is

righteous and mighty, who says king, ‘Worthless one,’ and to the nobles, ‘Wicked man,’ who

shows no partiality to princes nor regards the rich more than the por, for they are all the work of

his hands?”8 Divine Nature Theory has been presented to us briefly letting us know that God hits

all the standards in life. God tells us to treat all people as he stated, “love thy neighbor.” Per our

country today, there are not a lot of people that are willing to lend hands to help those in need,

and there are not a lot of public assistance to assist with all people that are suffering within

ever going to be justified.

Conclusion

This topic I reviewed has so many elements and can answer my questions in several different

ways. The first part that I want to make a conclusion on would be the poverty within Haiti. Will

Haiti ever get the proper help that the country needs. I think people need to come together

outside of natural disasters to help other countries such as Haiti. People today should speak up

more when they are falling to the life of poverty so actions can be taken before the person falls

I have learned that there is not a lot of public assistance for families, but the ones that are

The second part of my conclusion is going to answer the thesis question of, is there ever a

time that poverty situation that is acceptable? My answer to this question is yes and yes, it is

there are ways it can be preventable. There are times when poverty is justified. For instance,

addiction is not always in our control, but there are a lot of resources to help a person that is

suffering that issue, but a person also has the choice to stop before losing everything. The

difference between the legal and illegal substance abuse is different, but a lot of doctors need to

come together to find other resources to help those that are in pain for various reason to help a

person limit the chance of addiction. I personally had surgery and I was prescribed a drug that

within my community a lot of people often get addicted to, I said I do not believe or want to take

that I will handle the pain with otc drugs and the grace of God. I don’t think God has intended for

Bibliography

Method Approach, 4th ed. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2012.