Natural Law
A deontological, absolutist theory associated with Thomas Aquinas (1225–74), building on Aristotle and the Stoics. Right action accords with our …
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Religion & Ethics
Normative and applied ethics — Natural Law, Situation Ethics, Kant, Utilitarianism, conscience, meta-ethics and contemporary dilemmas.
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Situation Ethics
A teleological, relativist Christian theory by Joseph Fletcher (1966). The only absolute is agape (selfless love); the loving thing to do depends…
Open guideKantian Ethics
A deontological, absolutist theory by Immanuel Kant (1724–1804). Morality is grounded in reason and duty , not consequences or emotion. Act only …
Open guideUtilitarianism
A teleological, consequentialist, relativist theory. The right act maximises good consequences — "the greatest happiness for the greatest number"…
Open guideEuthanasia
Apply Natural Law and Situation Ethics to the deliberate ending of life to relieve suffering. Key tensions: sanctity vs quality of life, and auto…
Open guideBusiness Ethics
Apply Kantian ethics and Utilitarianism to corporate conduct: CSR, whistleblowing, globalisation and the conduct of multinationals.…
Open guideMeta-Ethics
Not "what is right?" but " what do moral words mean? " Are moral claims facts, intuitions, or expressions of emotion?…
Open guideConscience
Two contrasting accounts of conscience: Aquinas (a rational, God-given faculty) and Freud (a psychological construct of the mind).…
Open guideSexual Ethics
Apply normative theories to pre-marital & extra-marital sex and homosexuality. Tension between traditional religious teaching and secular/liberal…
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