Introduction L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

The course The course code is RSS02 The examining body is AQA You will sit one exam in May that is 75 mins long There are 4 sections on your exam, I teach you 3. You have to answer, 2 out of the 3 sections we have studied. Each question has a 30 mark A01 and 15 mark A02. L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

GCSE to A-level You get out what you put in It isn’t just about ability, it is more about work-ethic. Being a team Asking questions/ getting involved Independent work/ research Passport into lessons L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

Ethics Even though this is an ethics course. A lot of the ethics we study is based on philosophy It can be very daunting and scary to begin with. It is all about having faith/ confidence in yourself and persevering If you do not leave my classroom without a headache in the first few weeks, you are not working hard enough! Go home and rewrite notes, do further exploring, ask lots of questions…until… your mind will automatically work in a way that can handle these complex theories. L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

Keyword sheet You will be coming across some different, quite confusing key words As we go along, if there is a word you don’t know, then write it on your sheet and add to it as we go along. There will become a time, when you wont need it But it will really help you to begin! L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

Ethics! Lets begin L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

Is it right or wrong? True story! The teacher walks into her form room during break-time to see a pupil hurl a full, heavy pencil case across the room at a group of pupils who were looking in their lockers. The teacher gives the pupil a detention. The pupil argues there was nothing wrong with her action because no one got hurt. The teacher disagrees. Is the teacher being fair? How would you describe her view of what is right or wrong? L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

Is it right or wrong? Making ethical judgements about something involves us deciding what is right and what is wrong. To do that we have to have some sort of moral code to measure things against. This immediately raises the question: how do we know what is right or wrong. Watch this film about a couple shoplifting. Decide is their actions are right or wrong. What have you based your verdict on? If you couldn’t decide, why was that? L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

The couple live in a bedsit with a five-month old baby and are desperately short of money because they have been made redundant. Their five month old baby cries all the time because he is hungry. The supermarket they stole food from made 5.7 million pounds profit last year. Do you want to change your judgement of their action? The type of ethical system I agree with is… because … L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

What is it? Ethical Absolutism is a command that is true for all time, in all places and in all situations. It is an Objective principle. According to the ethical objectivist, the truth or falsity of typical moral judgments does not depend upon the beliefs or feelings of any person or group of persons. It is therefore universal L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

An example of an objective truth… 1+1 = 2 Paris is the capital of France. The idea of truth as objective is simply that no matter what we believe to be the case, some things will always be true and other things will always be false. L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

So…So… According to moral absolutism, there are eternal moral values applicable everywhere. This is a popular stance for those who believe in a God who establishes moral order in the universe. God’s rule is universal. L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

This ethical system is easy and simple to apply. E.g. a crime is a crime, regardless of circumstances. IS IT ALL RIGHT TO KILL SOMEONE FOR NO REASON ? L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

But…But… If we consider killing one person to save many lives, the ethical relativist would feel this is ok. But, for the ethical absolutist it is still inherently wrong. Absolute ethics allows us to make judgements based upon the actions of others – we can say the Holocaust was absolutely wrong. Therefore, absolute ethics allows courts of law to exist and to maintain order. L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

So, where do absolute laws come from? 1.For a theist the answer is simple – they come from God. 2.For the agnostic or atheist the answer is more complicated – they just see a priori in nature. (We will look closer in these key words further on) Key Words: -a priori ("prior to") -Theist (Belief in the existence of a god or gods) L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

Moral Absolutism and Religion Most religions have moral absolutes which they see as having been set by the deity or deities. These absolutes are unchanging and perfect; for example the Ten Commandments. L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

Today, many Christians believe that there is a hierarchy of absolutes. This is called ‘graded absolutism’. For instance, if there is a conflict of two absolutes it is our duty to obey the higher one. 1.Duty to God comes first. 2.Duty to others second. 3.Lastly, duty to property. L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

Strengths of Absolutism L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

Weaknesses of Absolutism L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.

HomeworkHomework In your own words explain what moral absolutism is, including its strengths and weaknesses. L.O : We are learning what type of morality we agree with and be able to define absolutist theory of morality.