Christian Ethical Theory
Christian ethical theory is based on the belief that God is the source of all goodness and that his will is the ultimate standard of morality. This theory holds that the good is that which is in accordance with God’s will, and the bad is that which is contrary to his will.
Christian ethical theory defines “the good” as obedience to God’s commands and living in accordance with his character. It claims to know “the good” through revelation, that is, through the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The key strengths of Christian ethical theory are its emphasis on love, compassion, and forgiveness, and its grounding in a transcendent source of moral authority. However, some people find this theory to be too inflexible and dogmatic, and they argue that it does not take into account the complexities of human life.
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is a consequentialist ethical theory that defines “the good” as that which produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. This theory holds that the right action is the one that produces the most good for the most people, regardless of the intentions of the actor.
Utilitarianism claims to know “the good” through reason and observation. It argues that we can use reason to determine which actions will produce the greatest happiness, and we can observe the consequences of our actions to see if they are actually producing the desired results.
The key strengths of utilitarianism are its focus on outcomes and its flexibility. This theory can be used to evaluate a wide range of actions, and it can be adapted to different cultural and ethical frameworks. However, some people find this theory to be too simplistic and that it does not take into account the rights and interests of individuals.
Similarities and Differences
Both Christian ethical theory and utilitarianism are concerned with the consequences of our actions. However, they have different views on what constitutes a good consequence. Christian ethical theory holds that the good consequence is obedience to God’s commands, while utilitarianism holds that the good consequence is happiness.
Another difference between these two theories is their view of the role of reason. Christian ethical theory believes that reason is important for understanding God’s commands, but it also believes that we need revelation to know what those commands are. Utilitarianism, on the other hand, believes that reason is the only way to know what is good.
Which Theory is Stronger?
I believe that Christian ethical theory is the stronger ethical theory. This is because it is more comprehensive and it takes into account more factors than utilitarianism. Christian ethical theory recognizes that there are things that are good even if they do not produce happiness, such as obedience to God’s commands and living in accordance with his character. Utilitarianism, on the other hand, can only judge actions based on their consequences, which can lead to morally questionable results.
For example, utilitarianism might say that it is permissible to lie if it produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. However, Christian ethical theory would say that lying is always wrong, regardless of the consequences.
In addition, Christian ethical theory is more flexible than utilitarianism. It can be adapted to different cultural and ethical frameworks, while utilitarianism is more rigid. This makes Christian ethical theory more applicable to the real world.
Of course, no ethical theory is perfect. Christian ethical theory can be too rigid for some people, and it can be difficult to know what God’s commands are. However, I believe that it is the strongest ethical theory because it is more comprehensive and flexible than utilitarianism.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Christian ethical theory and utilitarianism are two different ethical theories with different strengths and weaknesses. I believe that Christian ethical theory is the stronger ethical theory because it is more comprehensive and flexible. However, I also believe that it is important to consider both theories when making ethical decisions.
