Ethics and Philosophy of Religion - Assignment Example

Ethics and Philosophy of Religion Part I. Epistemology. In the first sections of Western Philosophy, Cottingham focuses upon the fact that all knowledge must come from somewhere (epistemology).1 Where does knowledge come from indeed? What is the root of it? Socrates argues that all enquiry and learning is merely “recollection.”2 This is true to a certain extent. While information is an important part of learning, it is the ability to recall this information that makes learning a worthwhile activity. Moreover, “…spontaneous recovery of knowledge [within someone] is recollection…”3 Thus, it is the art with which one is able to retrieve information and learning that sets one apart from simply recalling or remembering. In order for learning to take place, one must have a source from which to draw upon knowledge. Once this is achieved, recollection is attained. Thus, knowledge has a purpose and a direction which can be analyzed through various means. This is the nature of knowledge. [150 words] Part II. Method/Hermeneutics. Seventh-Day Adventist4 theology is unique. Seventh-Day Adventists’ theology approximates a movement with apocalyptic overtones. Adventists’ hermeneutics, or interpretational theory, stems from the books of Daniel and Revelation, which are both books of the Bible that deal with prophecy. Seventh Day Adventists are particularly concerned with prophecy and how it relates to the interpretation of the sacred text of the Bible. Basically, the main ideas that characterize Seventh-Day Adventism has been carefully analyzed. The way the Bible is interpreted by people within the religious culture of Seventh-Day Adventism is very specific. The theme of the end times reoccurs often, more often than not, in the hermeneutics of the Seventh-Day Adventists. The main hermeneutic regarding the book of Daniel deals mainly with the foreshadowing of the coming of Christ. The main hermeneutic regarding the book of Revelation deals mainly with the symbols associated with end times and the impending return of Christ. [150 words] Part III. Method/Hermeneutics. The Seventh-Day Adventist hermeneutic is continued to be discussed in this section. The interpretational theory of the Seventh-Day Adventists depends largely on the text being evaluated or analyzed. In the case of Seventh-Day Adventists, the text that is mainly focused upon—usually, but not always—is Revelation. This is because a large part of Seventh-Day Adventist theology usually focuses upon the up-and-coming return of Christ to earth in order to establish His reign on the earth. Not only this, but it is posited that Christ will make all suffering cease and, incredibly, will gather all believers both living and dead in a celebration called the Rapture. Seventh-Day Adventism focuses much on the Rapture and the coming glory of Christ. It is with great religious fervor and eagerness that many Adventists look towards this Second Coming, mainly because of its importance in Christian theology and in Christian history and its epilogue. [150 words] Part IV. Philosophy of Language. “The ancient philosophers made no distinction between sense and intellect, and referred both to a corporeal principle. Plato, however, drew a distinction between intellect and sense yet he referred both to an incorporeal principle…just as understanding belongs to the soul…”5 When it comes to the question of whether or not the souls of other animals are subsistent, one must obviously ask oneself if he or she believes that they are. One sticking point regarding this point is that animals are generally thought not to have souls, mainly because they cannot speak. It is language that separates humans from other animals. Thus, the power of language cannot be underestimated. It is definitely this aspect that makes animals lesser than people. Thus, the appearance of language in humans and the lack of language within the animal kingdom—language here meaning spoken words—seems to prove that humans are rational beings with souls. [150 words] Part V. Philosophy of Religion. “It follows that if an anomaly is to evoke crisis, it must usually be more than just an anomaly.”6 Take, for example, Newton’s theory of gravity. Newtonian theory was, at first, considered rather absurd. However, for him and his work to be recognized, Newton’s theories had to withstand the tests of time and various scientific de rigeur before his theories were considered generally acceptable. In fact, Newton strived to have his theories accepted within the scientific community. At first, no one posed any objection to his theories. But much like Copernicus’s and Galileo’s discoveries, Newton’s laws had to go through a rigorous process in order to ensure that these laws were indeed laws that could be applied universally. Once the scientific community accepted his theory as law, however, his three laws of motion—as well as the concept of gravity—became staples of physics and a slew of other sciences. [150 words] Part VI. Ethics. One issue that plagues ethicists today, which Cottingham deals with, is the genealogy of morals. This was also something that concerned Friedrich Nietzsche, but generally the moral compass of people is an issue that still remains a sticking point with many. People are generally concerned about how morals interact with government. Should government, in fact, have a deciding role in legislating who can do what? And, to what extent is this possible? This section explores the ways in which individuals approach their ethics, or ethike as Kierkegaard would have said, perhaps. The personal ethics people maintain is perhaps different than public ethics. This is a very general problem that people must face and deal with on an everyday basis. How one’s morals are determined at a young age definitely influences the way one lives. Thus, ethics are a key part of who someone is. Ethics are essential and very necessary. [150 words] Part VII. Ethics. Kierkegaard’s Ethike was written in order to corral peoples’ attention to the importance of ethics. This section emphasizes the importance of ethics in peoples’ lives. It begs the question, “What would happen if we did not have ethics?” Indeed, where would one be without ethics? Ethics governs one’s daily life in the laws that are written as the law of the land. Additionally, ethics are found in both peoples’ personal lives as well as in the public realm. However, what is the importance of personal ethics? It seems that one of the most important aspects of personal ethics is that to each individual, those ethics are unique and characteristic of a person’s personality. Thus, they are subject to change. This is in contrast to public ethics, which will be discussed more in-depth. Basically, private ethics are based on one’s own decisions, and as such are able to therefore be emended. [150 words] Part VIII. Ethics. Racism, the war in Iraq, and war in the Congo are issues which are all important to Seventh-Day Adventists.7 The Seventh-Day Adventist Church web site denounces racism, saying that it is “…an age-old phenomenon based on ignorance, fear, estrangement, and false pride…”8 Perhaps this is just said to appease people who have been the target of racism within this particular branch of Christianity. The site says that the “…outbreak of war in Iraq is yet another opportunity for people of faith to stand for hope in the face of despair.”9 Obviously, Adventists believe true peace will come only with Christ’s return. With regard to the Congo, the Seventh-Day Adventist stance is that international pressure should be put on the leaders of the Congo to come to a peaceful resolution.10 With regards to philosophy, each of these stances are based in the hopes that people will be able to arrive at peaceful situations. Part IX. Ethics. Another aspect of the concept of ethics is public ethics. Public ethics are displayed in the law that is written which governs people on a day-to-day basis, also known as the law of the land. Public ethics is also important to have in addition to private ethics, because, without a public standard, there would be no measuring stick with which one could assess private ethics. Public ethics are examined in the Human Rights Declaration statement11, in which human rights are discussed. Public ethics deals more with public opinion than anything else. The public’s tolerance for stances on certain moral issues may change over the years. For example, abortion used to be outlawed. However, with the advent of Roe v. Wade, public opinion changed—albeit, slowly—and soon most of the public was onboard with the idea that abortions should be legalized. Thus, new law can be brought to the land. [150 words] Part X. Ethics. Seventh-Day Adventist views on birth control and care for the dying reflect a genuine concern for and a high regard for human life. Aspects of birth control which are stressed in the branch of SDA include: responsible stewardship; procreative purpose; unifying purpose; freedom to choose; appropriate methods of birth control; misuse of birth control; and a redemptive approach.12 These are the factors which govern whether birth control is used or not. Since “Christian compassion calls for the alleviation of suffering,”13 Seventh-Day Adventists are in favor of the hospice approach if necessary. They are also in favor of allowing someone to choose their own path for medical care, as well as allowing someone to refuse medical treatment if they find such treatment unacceptable as a form of care. Thus, the SDA stance on the end of life is very clear-cut. Philosophy usually has an open-minded view, likewise, with regard for life. [150 words] Part XI. Ethics. Seventh-Day Adventist views on caring for creation, climate change, and the environment advocate using good stewardship in caring for the planet.14 “Seventh-Day Adventists are committed to respectful, cooperative relationships among all persons, recognizing our common origin and realizing our human dignity as a gift from the Creator.”15 Certainly, caring for creation is obviously an important part of Seventh-Day Adventist theology. Seventh-Day Adventists also believe in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.16 In addition, Seventh-Day Adventists believe in the importance of humankind, because it was created in God’s image.17 In general, those who practice Seventh-Day Adventist theology are committed to seeing that people take great care with the environment. Everything the environment encompasses, Seventh-Adventists are passionate about in order to ensure that God’s creation is taken care of with great stewardship. In order for God’s creation to thrive, people must realize the importance of cherishing God’s green earth. Modern philosophy agrees with this. REFERENCES Cottingham, John, Ed. Western Philosophy: An Anthology, 2nd Ed. Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 2008. 

 Moore, Leroy A. Adventist Cultures in Conflict: Principles of Reconciliation. Weimar, California: Moore Publishing, 2009. Seventh-Day Adventist Church Web Site. http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/statements/index.html. Retrieved 12 Nov 2009. 
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/. Retrieved 12 Nov 2009. Read More