Moral Absolutism - A Deontological Approach - Natural Law as interpreted by Thomas Aquinas
Moral Relativism - A Teleological Approach - Situation Ethics and Joseph Fletcher
A Different Approach - The Ethical Character - Virtue Ethics, Aristotle and Alasdair MacIntyre
We will spend approximately 4 lessons on each section.
Lessons 1 - 4 - Natural Law
Its origins with Aristotle; its 'Christianization' by Aquinas; its application today in the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church; an evaluation of strengths and weaknesses.
Texts: R Bowie 'Ethical Studies' p11-13, Ch 3 p25ff; P Vardy & P Grosch 'The Puzzle of Ethics' Ch 4 p36ff; Teach Yourself Ethics p41ff
Lessons 5 - 8 - Moral Relativism
Moral Relativism v Deontological (Absolutist) Theory; relativism as a response to absolutism - Joseph Fletcher; cultural relativism and J L Mackie; an evaluation of strengths and weaknesses.
Texts: Bowie p99ff, p106-107 (Proportionalism); PoE Ch 10 123ff; TYE p54
Lessons 9-12 - Virtue Ethics - Actions spring from Character
Aristotle and the origins of Virtue Theory; Aristotle's list of Virtues; the renaissance of Virtue Theory - Elizabeth Anscombe and Alasdair Macintyre.
Texts: Bowie Ch10 p111ff; PoE Ch3 p23ff; Alasdair Macintyre "Virtue Ethics Revisited"
Also, check out other relevant documents on the site by following link below to Ethics Base Page