Altruism And Christian Ethics

Author : Colin Grant
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 288 pages
File Size : 47,9 Mb
Release : 2000-11-16
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781139430210

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Altruism and Christian Ethics by Colin Grant Pdf

Separated from its anchorage in religion, ethics has followed the social sciences in seeing human beings as fundamentally characterised by self-interest, so that altruism is either naively idealistic or arrogantly self-sufficient. Colin Grant contends that, as a modern secular concept, altruism is a parody on the self-giving love of Christianity, so that its dismissal represents a social levelling that loses the depths that theology makes intelligible and religion makes possible. The Christian affirmation is that God is characterised by self-giving love (agape), then expected of Christians. Lacking this theological background, the focus on self-interest in sociobiology and economics, and on human realism in the political focus of John Rawls or the feminist sociability of Carol Gilligan, finds altruism naive or a dangerous distraction from real possibilities of mutual support. This book argues that to dispense with altruism is to dispense with God and with the divine transformation of human possibilities.

Author : Stephen J. Pope
Publisher : Georgetown University Press
Page : 186 pages
File Size : 46,6 Mb
Release : 1995-04-01
Category : Religion
ISBN : 1589014405

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The Evolution of Altruism and the Ordering of Love by Stephen J. Pope Pdf

In this book, Stephen J. Pope argues that contemporary scientifically-based theories of the evolution of altruism provide important insights into one of the fundamental moral problems of Christian ethics, the natural basis of love and its ordering. He explores the contributions evolutionary theory makes to our understanding of the biological foundations of kin preference and reciprocal care, the limits of love, and the need for an ordering of love—issues relevant to any ethic that accords a central role to the deeply natural affections found in friendship, marriage, and the family. He proposes that understanding human nature in its broader evolutionary context brings to ethics a needed balance between the personal and biological dimensions of human nature. In the context of Catholic ethics, Pope points out functional similarities between Thomas Aquinas's use of then-available scientific theories in his interpretation of the natural basis of primary relationships and Pope's own efforts to avoid the deficiencies that characterize contemporary Catholic interpretations of love based on personalism and existentialism. He concludes with a call for a multidimensional interpretation of love, one that incorporates scientifically-based theories about human nature together with an appreciation of the significance of motives, intentions, and freedom, for the ordering of human affections and moral responsibility. This book will be of interest to moral theologians, especially those concerned with the topics of love, justice, and natural law ethics.

Author : Eva-Lotta Grantén
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 256 pages
File Size : 43,5 Mb
Release : 2003
Category : Agape
ISBN : UVA:X004789676

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Patterns of Care by Eva-Lotta Grantén Pdf

Author : Dominic Roser,Stefan Riedener,Markus Huppenbauer
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 254 pages
File Size : 50,5 Mb
Release : 2022-01-04
Category : Altruism
ISBN : 3848781190

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Effective Altruism and Religion by Dominic Roser,Stefan Riedener,Markus Huppenbauer Pdf

A new movement is on the scene: effective altruism-the combination of love and efficiency, making the world a better place not just with a bleeding heart and empathy but with a radical focus on reason and evidence and never losing sight of the goal of maximal impact. Its adherents typically stem from strongly secular environments such as elite philosophy departments or Silicon Valley. So far, a religious perspective on this movement has been lacking. What can people of faith learn from effective altruism, how can they contribute, and what must they criticise? This volume offers a first examination of these questions, providing both a Buddhist and an Orthodox Jewish perspective on them, in addition to various Christian contributions.

Author : Matthew Nelson Hill
Publisher : InterVarsity Press
Page : 255 pages
File Size : 48,8 Mb
Release : 2016-02-17
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9780830899005

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Evolution and Holiness by Matthew Nelson Hill Pdf

Theology needs to engage what recent developments in the study of evolution mean for how we understand moral behavior. How does the theological concept of holiness connect to contemporary understandings of evolution? If genetic explanations of altruism fall short, what role should we give to environmental explanations and free will? Likewise, how do genetic explanations relate to theological accounts of human goodness and holiness? In this groundbreaking work, Matthew Hill uses the lens of Wesleyan ethics to offer a fresh assessment of the intersection of evolution and theology. He shows that what is at stake in this conversation is not only the future of the church but also the fine-tuning of human evolution.

Author : Anonim
Publisher : BRILL
Page : 325 pages
File Size : 55,9 Mb
Release : 2017-06-06
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9789004343535

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Christianity and the Roots of Morality by Anonim Pdf

Christianity and the Roots of Morality combines philosophical, early Christian and empirical studies to cast light on the role of religion, especially Christianity, in morality, pro-social behavior and altruism.

Author : Neil Messer
Publisher : SCM Press
Page : 288 pages
File Size : 52,9 Mb
Release : 2007-03-30
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9780334029960

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Selfish Genes and Christian Ethics by Neil Messer Pdf

The evolutionary origins of human beings, and in particular the origins of human morality, have always attracted debate and speculation, not just in the academic community but in popular science and the wider general population as well. The arguments and explanations put forward over the years seem to thoroughly catch the popular imagination, but there is the danger that these explanations tend to step outside the bounds of scientific theory and become powerful popular myths instead. In Neil Messer's "Selfish Genes and Christian Ethics", the author is challenging this tendency. Instead, he provides a Christian theological anthropology, which, among other things, aims to give Christians and the churches the confidence to engage with assumptions that evolutionary theory and religious beliefs are untenable. This is a valuable resource for anyone engaged in the study of theology, providing the reader with the ability to consider both the theoretical and the practical questions raised by evolutionary discussions of ethics and morality.

Author : Peter Singer
Publisher : Princeton University Press
Page : 377 pages
File Size : 52,6 Mb
Release : 2017-09-05
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9781400888733

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Ethics in the Real World by Peter Singer Pdf

Provocative essays on real-world ethical questions from the world's most influential philosopher Peter Singer is often described as the world's most influential philosopher. He is also one of its most controversial. The author of important books such as Animal Liberation, Practical Ethics, Rethinking Life and Death, and The Life You Can Save, he helped launch the animal rights and effective altruism movements and contributed to the development of bioethics. Now, in Ethics in the Real World, Singer shows that he is also a master at dissecting important current events in a few hundred words. In this book of brief essays, he applies his controversial ways of thinking to issues like climate change, extreme poverty, animals, abortion, euthanasia, human genetic selection, sports doping, the sale of kidneys, the ethics of high-priced art, and ways of increasing happiness. Singer asks whether chimpanzees are people, smoking should be outlawed, or consensual sex between adult siblings should be decriminalized, and he reiterates his case against the idea that all human life is sacred, applying his arguments to some recent cases in the news. In addition, he explores, in an easily accessible form, some of the deepest philosophical questions, such as whether anything really matters and what is the value of the pale blue dot that is our planet. The collection also includes some more personal reflections, like Singer’s thoughts on one of his favorite activities, surfing, and an unusual suggestion for starting a family conversation over a holiday feast. Now with a new afterword by the author, this provocative and original book will challenge—and possibly change—your beliefs about many real-world ethical questions.

Author : Stephen G. Post,Lynn G. Underwood,Jeffrey P. Schloss,William B. Hurlbut
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 532 pages
File Size : 47,6 Mb
Release : 2002-03-28
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 019534944X

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Altruism and Altruistic Love by Stephen G. Post,Lynn G. Underwood,Jeffrey P. Schloss,William B. Hurlbut Pdf

The concept of altruism, or disinterested concern for another's welfare, has been discussed by everyone from theologians to psychologists to biologists. In this cutting edge book, evolutionary, neurological, developmental, psychological, social, cultural, and religious aspects of altruistic behavior are examined by renowned researchers. The result is a collaborative and provocative look at one of humanity's essential and defining characteristics.

Author : V. Jeffries
Publisher : Springer
Page : 691 pages
File Size : 53,7 Mb
Release : 2014-08-07
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9781137391865

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The Palgrave Handbook of Altruism, Morality, and Social Solidarity by V. Jeffries Pdf

The study of altruism, morality, and social solidarity is an emerging field of scholarship and research in sociology. This handbook will function as a foundational source for this subject matter and field, and as an impetus to its further development.

Author : Don S. Browning
Publisher : Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Page : 264 pages
File Size : 51,5 Mb
Release : 2006-05-17
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 0802831710

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Christian Ethics and the Moral Psychologies by Don S. Browning Pdf

Interest in psychology permeates our culture, with psychological solutions advanced for a host of moral dilemmas. How should ethically minded Christians include insights from such disciplines as psychoanalysis, cognitive moral development, and neuroscience in their theological reflection? Don Browning offers a serious proposal for combining these disciplines with the best in ethical reflection from a Christian standpoint. Along the way, he introduces readers to the moral psychology work of Sigmund Freud, Carol Gilligan, Antonio Damasio, and others, opening up a dialogue between their work and the hermeneutics of Hans-Georg Gadamer and Paul Ricoeur. Browning also recognizes the potential limits of the conversation between Christian ethics and the moral psychologies, pointing out where they must diverge.

Author : Stephen J. Pope
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 50,5 Mb
Release : 2011-03-03
Category : Religion
ISBN : 0521175305

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Human Evolution and Christian Ethics by Stephen J. Pope Pdf

Can the origins of morality be explained entirely in evolutionary terms? If so, what are the implications for Christian moral theology and ethics? Is the latter redundant, as socio-biologists often assert? Stephen Pope argues that theologians need to engage with evolutionary theory rather than ignoring it. He shows that our growing knowledge of human evolution is compatible with Christian faith and morality, provided that the former is not interpreted reductionistically and the latter is not understood in fundamentalist ways. Christian ethics ought to incorporate evolutionary approaches to human nature to the extent that they provide helpful knowledge of the conditions of human flourishing, both collective and individual. From this perspective, a strong affirmation of human dignity and appreciation for the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity is consistent with a revised account of natural law and the cardinal virtues.

Author : Garth L. Hallett
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 220 pages
File Size : 44,7 Mb
Release : 1998-07-02
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9780521623513

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Priorities and Christian Ethics by Garth L. Hallett Pdf

This book provides a full treatment of an issue which is particularly pressing: when the claims of the nearest (e.g. parents, children, spouses, friends) conflict with the claims of the neediest, as they constantly do, where should preference go? Professor Hallett focuses first on a specific, representative case, pitting the lesser need of a son against the greater need of starving strangers. He brings to bear on this single paradigm all the resources of theological and philosophical reflection - scriptures, patristic teaching, the Thomistic tradition, current debates - and from this single example he sheds light on a wide range of comparable cases, both private and public. This distinctive strategy leads to distinctive and challenging results, and at the same time helps to clarify the traditional 'order of charity' and the celebrated 'preferential option for the poor'.

Author : Robin Gill
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 243 pages
File Size : 44,8 Mb
Release : 2017-03-06
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9781107176829

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Moral Passion and Christian Ethics by Robin Gill Pdf

Using a range of disciplines, this book explores the relationship between moral passion and rational ethical deliberation.

Author : Hilary Greaves,Theron Pummer
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 256 pages
File Size : 48,6 Mb
Release : 2019-09-12
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9780192578303

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Effective Altruism by Hilary Greaves,Theron Pummer Pdf

This is the first collective study of the thinking behind the effective altruism movement. This movement comprises a growing global community of people who organise significant parts of their lives around the two key concepts represented in its name. Altruism is the idea that if we use a significant portion of the resources in our possession—whether money, time, or talents—with a view to helping others then we can improve the world considerably. When we do put such resources to altruistic use, it is crucial to focus on how much good this or that intervention is reasonably expected to do per unit of resource expended (as a gauge of effectiveness). We can try to rank various possible actions against each other to establish which will do the most good with the resources expended. Thus we could aim to rank various possible kinds of action to alleviate poverty against one another, or against actions aimed at very different types of outcome, focused perhaps on animal welfare or future generations. The scale and organisation of the effective altruism movement encourage careful dialogue on questions that have perhaps long been there, throwing them into new and sharper relief, and giving rise to previously unnoticed questions. In this volume a team of internationally recognised philosophers, economists, and political theorists present refined and in-depth explorations of issues that arise once one takes seriously the twin ideas of altruistic commitment and effectiveness.