6 - Right and Wrong

• Absolute Morality -

  • Some actions are simply wrong in themselves and can never be right
  • Moral rules such as 'it is wrong to kill' or 'it is wrong to steal' are universal truths - they are absolute
  • They apply to all people at all times in all situations. There are no circumstances in which it is morally acceptable to kill or steal
• Relative Morality -

  • Consequences make actions wrong (if it hurts someone else, it's wrong)
  • Killing or stealing may be wrong depending on what the consequences are
  • What is wrong relates to a particular situation (situation ethics)
• Doing the Will of God

  • Both Christians and Muslims think that 'right' is doing what God has commanded, and 'wrong' is doing what God has forbidden (divine command theory
• Virtues

  • Virtues are the good acts you should do that God has commanded
  • They include kindness, honesty, patience, respect for parents and love
• Sin

  • Sins are wrong acts you should do that God has commanded
  • Sins include lying, stealing, cheating, murder and greed
• Conscience

  • We know what is right by following our conscience
  • We do the right thing even though we personally may not benefit from it
• Free Will

  • We do wrong because we misuse the free will God has given them
  • God has made us free to do good or bad
  • In the story of Adam and Eve they are given the choice to obey or disobey God. They choose to disobey and eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge