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HAW FAR BENTHAM & KANTS ARE CONSISTENT WITH RELIGIOUS MORAL DECISION…
HAW FAR BENTHAM & KANTS ARE CONSISTENT WITH RELIGIOUS MORAL DECISION MAKING
COMPATIBLE
BENTHAM
Benthams attempts at a social reformer, were strongly motivates by compassion and concern for others- his ethics stress equality for all
Jesus said he had come to help those in need and that peoples would be judged on the basis of their response to those who needed help
Paul urged Colossians christians to treat people with compassion & kindness
Bentham was concerned with what would result in the greatest food for the greatest number
this meant that on some occasions, the rules had to be set aside
Jesus sometimes acted situationally, putting accepted rules aside on order to help others
e.g he healed on the sabbath
Self-interest is inevitable as its an integral part of human nature
Jesus said 'love tour neighbour as you love yourself'- he recognises self-love is important
KANT
The rational basis of Kants ethics lead to Aquinas' thinking
the good will is something that is freely and rationally chosen
Natural moral law is based on the use of reason
aquinas emphasised the virtues which good person freely chooses to practice
The first formulation of the categorical imperative is universalisability
Jesus' Golden rule is: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
Kant though that reality was beyond the world of space and time
God was an essential postulate of his summer bonus theory, which was the union of virtue with perfect happiness
his postulate of immortality was also a religious element
For Aquinas, God id beyond space and time
humanity goal is union with God after death
NON-COMPATIBLE
BENTHAM
Bentham had no time for religion: happiness was an earthly happiness
Belief in god is central: happiness is not just to be looked for in this life but is about eternal joy in Gods presence
Bentham rejected any idea of special rights: everyones happiness counted equally
The bible teaches importance of paying special attention ti the vulnerable
the Catholic Church stresses the 'preferential option for the poor'
Self-interest s inevitable as its an integral part of human nature
Christianity encourages selflessness
Consequences alone matter, not rules motive or the act itslef
Jesus taught that if people gave to the poor just to impress others, this had no moral value
-he taught that inner thoughts are just as bad as the actions
christianity also teaches that rules have a place and that good consequences can never justify an essentially bad act
Happiness in the sense of experiencing pleasure and avoiding pain is the sole intrinsic good
Jesus aught that he most important rules are love of God and of neighbours
happiness is about human flourishing and is a by-producr of a loving action rather than the goal
Ryles are a secondary importance and if they get in the way of the greatest happiness principle, it should be set aside
many christian ethical theories follow a rule bases morality
they profvide useful guidance in doing what us right
KANT
It is a secular theory in line with 18th century thought
our sense of moral obligation comes from our nature as rational beings, and has nothing to do with god
Belief in god is central to NML and divine command theory
agape in situation ethics is based on the teaching and example of Jesus
Its a rule-based theory in which rules apply universally and without exception
the situation does not need to effect them
Jesus on occasion set aside the rules to allow for peoples needs
situation ethics takes on this approach
aquinas allowed for secondary exceptions to the secondary precepts in exceptional cases
Its a very cold theory about duty and not love
Jesus' teaching is focused on love of god and others