Heteronomous

• what is meant by heteronomous?

  Ethics are governed by several sources of authority or law.

  Heteros = Several

  Numos = Law/rule
• What is the general outline of Roman Catholic: Heteronomous ethics

  NATURAL LAW: REVELATION AND REASON- ‘LAW WRITTEN ON THEIR HEARTS’ Roman 2:15.
• God as creator gives purpose.

  Our purpose must be good.

  The eternal law/plan of the universe is for us to flourish.
• St Thomas Aquinas  - Natural Law.

  We have an ability to understand and know God’s eternal law through reason.

  The human experience of God’s external law is natural law – Synderesis rule = human flourishing.
• THE MAGISTERIUM

  Morality is informed by wisdom of the Church and practices of its leaders.

  This wisdom is collected together in Papal encyclicals on contemporary moral issues.

  The Magisterium (the teachings of the Church) has authority.
• what is liberation theology?

  1960s onwards

  Places the Bible at the centre of ethics

  Questioned the ‘top down’ structure of the Church.

  Inspired by biblical themes:

  Liberation from Moses escape.

  Jesus’ role as liberator.

  Considered ‘ethics from below’ it focuses on tackling the economic, social and political conditions of those who are marginalised.
• what do the liberation theology argue?

  Argues for a Marxist outlook to economic change. – Good at questioning  who has power and whether they are abusing it.

  However – aspects of the Church are very critical of the movement. 
• what do protestant heteronomous ethics believe?

  Use the Bible, reason, conscience and church tradition.- Some like Hugo Grotius promote Natural Law however most believe that the Bible is the primary source of authority.
• what do Modern Anglicans argue?

  Bible is not a single document but has developed out of the reflections and needs of Christian communities –

  Ethics should continue to develop in the worshipping communities guided by REASON, CONSCIENCE and CHURCH TRADITION.

  Similar to Roman Catholic but without this over arching Magisterium.
• what did Stanley Hauerwas argue?

  ALL CHRISTIANS should follow the moral values provided in the Sermon on the mount because it is an example of the kind of values a Christian must develop in their own community: Christians should adopt the God given virtues provided in the Sermon.
• what did Stanley Hauerwas argue?

  Although these stories/values have meaning outside Christianity they are not the same as the ones Christians understand as expressed in the life and example of Christ and the life of the Church.

  Christian communities should question values  by living and practicing these values in society