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Application to moral theories - Coggle Diagram
Application to moral theories
Abortion
Natural Moral Law
Preservation of Human Life
Use of animals for blood sports
Natural Moral Law
Humans can use animals as they see fit, even if this involves inflicting pain and suffering onto animals
Doesn't aid any of the primary precepts so there is no real benefit
Catholic Church which supports NML
says "men owe animals kindness" - blood sports is not at all kind to animals
Situation Ethics
The ends don't justify the means - animals are killed with little justification
Animals have less value than humans so harming them for our benefit could be permissible
Depends on the views of the ethicist, whether or not they put the interests of humans before animals' welfare
There is no agape love in blood sports
Virtue Ethics
Participating in blood sports suggests a lack of consideration for humans as well as for animals as people judge based on this
Hunting can upset and offend some people, which is not virtuous (inconsiderate - deficiency of friendliness)
Virtue of temperance - experiencing pleasure at the expense of other beings is not virtuous
Aristotle believed animals existed for the sake of humans so harming them for our benefit is permissible
Could argue virtue ethics is courageous, but then there are other sports that are courageous without needlessly harming animals
Using animals for organ transplants
Lying
Natural Moral Law
Violates the primary precept of living in an ordered society - cannot be ordered if people are lying to each other
People cannot be safe if there is lyoing
Aquinas believes courage and justice is very important and lying goes against this
Aquinas states "a lie is evil... since it is an action bearing on undue matter"
Situation Ethics
Obviously it depends on the situation
Sometimes law may require you to withhold information but situation ethics would encourage this to be ignored if it is the most loving thing to do
As long as it is PRAGMATIC, acting out of love for the majority of people
Lying to schizophrenic patients can be "worth it" as it is done lovingly to reduce their suffering
Virtue Ethics
Virtues: Honesty, Truthfulness
These directly forbid lying
It depends on where the mean lies in the situation. With the women returning to Germany being lied to, the lie could be seen as virtuous as it resulted in less suffering overall and helped to end the war - in addition it was courageous and required a lot of pain and regret from the people making the decision.
If telling the truth could put someone in danger, as long as your overall character is truthful and honest the friendship and loyalty you show by telling a lie is justified. Lying becomes the mean in some occasions.
Theft
Natural Moral Law
Contributes to disorder, goes against the primary precept of living in an ordered society.
Aquinas recognises that in some situations it is acceptable to go against the rules if proportionate reasons exist.
Aquinas believes if someone is starving to deaht it is lawfult o steal from another man as long as they have enough from themsevles.
Virtue Ethics
Virtue Analysis
Deficiency of friendliness
Temperance