Introduction to Ethics

PE501


Learning Outcomes

  1. To enable candidates to identify, explain and utilize the framework and major themes of biblical ethics;
  2. To enable candidates to understand and appraise the key questions, theories and tools of philosophical ethics in order to increase skills in ethical reasoning and decision making;
  3. To raise candidates’ awareness of the various historical traditions of theological ethics and to enable integration of biblical and philosophical approaches;
  4. To enable candidates to appraise various approaches to some contemporary ethical questions in the light of the Bible, various historical and theological approaches and the contemporary context.

 

Content

Section A: Biblical Ethics

  1. Using the Bible in Ethics:
    1. Methodological issues raised in moving from the Bible to modern ethical issues.
    2. A brief survey of how the Bible has been used in ethics.
  2. Old Testament Ethics:
    1. Framework: creation, sin, covenant, prophecy and wisdom;
    2. Ethical themes in the Old Testament;
  3. New Testament Ethics:
    1. Sermon on the Mount, Pauline ethics, 1 Peter, James.
    2. Ethical themes: Kingdom and eschatology, righteousness/justice, love command.

Section B: Philosophical Ethics

  1. Introducing Ethics as a discipline: its nature and function.
  2. Types of Ethical Theories:
    1. Theories of Obligation: deontological & teleological;
    2. Theories of Virtue: traits, character, motivation, disposition;
    3. The relationship between obligation and virtue.

 

Section C: Ethical Issues

Candidates choose two of the following areas for study:

  • Divorce and re-marriage
  • Sexual morality: fidelity, adultery, homosexuality
  • Sexism and racism
  • Wealth and poverty
  • Cohabitation


Workload: One semester, 4 credit points, 39 contact hours
Status: Elective
Pre-requisites / Co-requisites / Exclusions: None