1. Studying Ethics
Why bother?

2. “Doing the right thing means…” How would you complete this sentence?
To get you thinking…
“Doing the right thing means…” How would you complete this sentence?

3. The Nature of Morality From Society From God Made by society
How do we know what is right and what is wrong?
From Society
Made by society
No fixed rules
Dependent on situation
Flexible
RELATIVE
From God
Rules to live by
Unchanging
Fixed
Perfect
ABSOLUTE

4. Absolutism
For some, morality consists of “absolute truths” – if things are right or wrong, then they are always right or wrong, regardless of the circumstances. Most of these “absolutists” will say such laws come from God.
Other absolutists will say moral truths do not come from God but we are capable of working them out for ourselves using human intelligence.
If it is true that murder is wrong, it is always wrong, regardless of the situation.

5. Relativism
For others, called “relativists” what is right or wrong will depend on the situation or culture. This means there are no such things as moral laws, except those which are decided upon by the community. For example, polygamy is wrong in the UK, but right in Saudi Arabia.
For relativists, morality is simply “socially approved habits” – what is right or wrong depends on the perspective of the group. This can change according to time as well as culture or country.

6. Evaluating each approach:
ABSOLUTISM
STRENGTHS:
Clear guidelines
Fixed code by which to measure actions
No danger of “Slippery Slope”
WEAKNESSES:
Too rigid?
Doesn’t allow for moral autonomy
Relies on the existence of God

7. Evaluating each approach:
RELATIVISM
STRENGTHS:
Flexible & takes different situations into account
Allows for cultural differences
Demands moral autonomy
WEAKNESSES:
1. May allow for morally questionable acts?
2. No objective measure of morality
3. Danger of the Slippery Slope