WJEC/Eduqas RS for A2/Yr2: Religion and Ethics (DRAFT)

WJEC / Eduqas Religious Studies for A Level Year 2 and A2 Religion and Ethics

Issues for analysis and evaluation Whether ethical and non-ethical statements are the same This argument is really evaluating whether or not ethical statements are related to the empirical world just as non-ethical statements are and concerns the debate between Ethical Naturalism and Intuitionism mainly. Ethical naturalism is empiricist in orientation and argues that ethical propositions are no more than statements of fact that can be justified by appeal to the natural world, therefore ethical statements are not ‘beyond’ non-ethical statements. Although there are different ways to interpret ethical statements, they all relate to what is actually real and objective. For instance, Mill sees ethical statements as, really, statements about pleasure or pain. For Bradley, it is all about realising the concrete universal and through self-realisation finding one’s duty. These different ways at least agree that ethical and non-ethical statements are the same. Evolutionary ethics argues that it is all to do with how we assess and adapt biologically, psychologically and socially just like Charles Darwin’s drunken monkey. If we know that fire is hot then we do not touch the flame; how is this any different from deciding how to live ethically when we know that violence causes pain and so avoid it? We may feel, deeply, that a moral sentiment is ‘real’, absolute and provable like any claim about the ‘objective world’; for example, it is directly related to actions that we can work out a sense of justice in society. Indeed, this viewpoint reflects not only Naturalism but also moral viewpoints based on religion and revelation. For example, the parable of the Good Samaritan in Christianity teaches through clear actions that it is good to help someone in need or who is suffering. There is nothing metaphysical about that. It is ethical dilemmas and problems that cause debate and disagreement but surely this is all part of learning how to best adapt to life in a collaborative way? One of the most famous statements of Naturalist ethics has been made by Richard Dawkins who argued that ‘selfish genes’ can explain the behaviour of humanity by using evidence of the evolution of certain behaviour traits in apes. Dawkins identifies different ways in which ‘selfish genes’ may bring about altruistic behaviour in individuals. Kin selection is no more than genes replicating themselves by creating individuals who are prone to nurture and defend; we see this in parental love and family affections. Dawkins explains collaboration and sharing but most importantly what he calls the Handicap Principle: Here, Dawkins demonstrates that some animals take on the most dangerous jobs of watching for predators and providing for the less fortunate. For Dawkins, this all explains the general capacity for normative judgement and guidance, and the tendency to exercise this capacity in social life. Animals also demonstrate sentiments and are able to detect them in others, can be motivated by others, make simple judgements and exhibit certain particular systems of norms or types of practice. This all shows that morality is actually embedded in the process of evolution and has a purely naturalistic explanation. Key quote The problem is one of finding room for ethics, or placing ethics within the disenchanted, non-ethical order which we inhabit, and of which we are a part. (Blackburn)

This section covers AO2 content and skills

Specification content Whether ethical and non-ethical statements are the same.

DRAFT

AO2 Activity As you read through this section try to do the following: 1. Pick out the different lines of argument that are presented in the text and identify any evidence given in support. 2. For each line of argument try to evaluate whether or not you think this is strong or weak. 3. Think of any questions you may wish to raise in response to the arguments. This Activity will help you to start thinking critically about what you read and help you to evaluate the effectiveness of different arguments and from this develop your own observations, opinions and points of view that will help with any conclusions that you make in your answers to the AO2 questions that arise.

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