1. Definition of Ethics (What is Ethics?
Ethics is about moral principles that guide human behavior. It helps us distinguish
right from wrong in different situations.
• The word "ethics" comes from the Greek word "ethos," which means a habitual
way of acting or a set of moral principles.
• Ethics is also called moral philosophy because it involves the study of right and
wrong behavior.
• It is a systematic discipline, meaning it organizes moral concepts into structured
knowledge.
Example:
Imagine you find a lost wallet on the street. Your ethical principles would help you
decide whether to return it or keep it. A person with strong ethical values would likely
try to find the owner.
What Guides Human Behavior?
Ethical guidance comes from a mix of reason, moral principles, culture, emotions, and
beliefs. While different people may rely more on one factor than another, ethical
decision-making usually involves a balance of these elements to determine what is
right or wrong.
1. Human Reason and Rational Thinking
• We use logic and reasoning to determine what is right or wrong.
• Philosophers like Immanuel Kant argued that ethical decisions should be based
on universal moral laws that apply to everyone.
• Ethics is different from instinctual behavior because it requires conscious
thought and reflection.
Example:
If you see a hungry person, your reason tells you that sharing your food is a morally
good act because it helps someone in need.
2. Moral Principles and Ethical Theories
• Moral principles are the rules or guidelines we follow to decide what is right or
wrong.
• Different ethical theories provide different approaches to decision-making:
o Virtue Ethics (Aristotle): Morality is about developing good character
traits like honesty, courage, and kindness.
o Deontological Ethics (Kant): Actions are moral if they follow universal
moral duties (e.g., "Always tell the truth").
o Utilitarian Ethics (Bentham & Mill): The best action is the one that
creates the most happiness for the most people.
Example:
If you find a wallet full of money, these theories provide different guidance:
• Virtue Ethics: A good person returns it.
• Deontology: It is your duty to return it.
• Utilitarianism: Returning it makes society more trustworthy and benefits the
owner, so it’s the right thing to do.
3. Culture and Society
• Our upbringing, traditions, and cultural norms influence our ethical beliefs.
• Different cultures have different moral values, but some ethical principles (e.g.,
fairness, respect, and kindness) are common worldwide.
Example:
In some cultures, respecting elders is a strong moral value, while in others, individual
freedom is emphasized more.
Counter-Example:
Ethical relativism argues that morality depends on culture, which can lead to justifying
harmful traditions (e.g., discrimination).
4. Emotions and Empathy
• Our feelings and emotions help us understand right and wrong.
• Empathy (the ability to feel what others feel) plays a big role in ethical decisions.
• However, emotions alone are not always reliable because they can lead to biased
or impulsive decisions.
Example:
Seeing someone in pain makes you feel compassion, which motivates you to help them.
Counter-Example:
Acting out of anger or revenge without thinking can lead to unethical choices.
5. Religion and Spiritual Beliefs
• Many ethical principles come from religious teachings, such as the Golden Rule
("Do unto others as you would have them do unto you").
• Religions provide moral codes that guide behavior (e.g., the Ten
Commandments in Christianity, the Five Precepts in Buddhism).
Example:
Most religions teach that lying, stealing, and harming others are morally wrong.
Counter-Example:
Ethical dilemmas arise when religious teachings conflict with other moral principles
(e.g., debates on medical ethics like euthanasia).
2. Ethics as a Science
• Ethics as a Science: It is considered a science because it is a systematized body
of knowledge with principles and explanations. which rely on experiments, ethics
relies on philosophical reasoning to explore moral issues.
• However, it is not a natural or empirical science like biology or physics. Instead,
it is a philosophical science that deals with human behavior and morality.
Example:
In medical ethics, doctors must follow principles such as beneficence (doing good) and non-
maleficence (avoiding harm). These principles guide decisions like whether to perform life-
saving surgery on a patient who cannot give consent.
3. Ethics as a Practical Science
Ethics is not just something we study for knowledge; it affects our daily actions and decisions.
• Ethics is not just theoretical; it has real-world applications. It provides principles
and guidelines for making moral decisions in daily life.
• Unlike some academic subjects that focus solely on abstract concepts, ethics
guides real-life actions and choices.
Example:
In business, ethical principles like honesty and fairness influence decisions. A company
that values ethics will avoid exploiting workers or deceiving customers.
• Counter-Example (Unethical Behavior):
A company that lies about product safety to make more money is acting
unethically. Ethics helps us recognize such behavior and choose better actions.
4. Ethics as a Philosophical Science
Ethics does not rely on laboratory tests but on deep reasoning about human nature and
morality.
• Unlike technical or laboratory sciences, ethics does not rely on experiments or
physical observations.
• Instead, it uses human reason and rational thinking to explore moral questions.
• Ethics seeks to understand morality by looking at deep principles rather than
relying solely on experiences or external data.
Example:
Philosophers like Aristotle and Immanuel Kant used logical reasoning to develop
ethical theories.
• Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics teaches that good character (honesty, courage, wisdom)
leads to moral actions.
• Kant’s Deontological Ethics says that actions are moral if they follow a universal
moral law (e.g., "Always tell the truth").
Ethical Dilemma Example:
A friend asks you to lie for them in court.
• Virtue Ethics: A truthful person would refuse to lie.
• Kantian Ethics: Lying is always wrong, so you should tell the truth.
• Utilitarian Ethics (another perspective): If lying saves an innocent person, it
might be justified.
Key Takeaways
• Ethics is not just theoretical—it is something we apply in our daily lives. It helps us
make moral decisions in personal, professional, and societal situations.
• Ethics is the study of morality and human conduct.
• It is a philosophical science rather than a technical or empirical one.
• Ethics is practical because it influences daily actions and decisions.
• It relies on human reasoning to explore moral principles.
Biblical Ethics: A Moral Framework from Genesis to Revelation
Biblical Ethics is the study of right and wrong based on God’s commands and
principles as revealed in the Bible. It shapes human behavior, decision-making, and
social justice according to God’s will.
This refers to a moral framework that derives right and wrong from God’s teachings in
the Bible. It guides personal and social behavior based on scriptural principles like
love, justice, honesty, and obedience to God’s commandments.
Divine Command Theory
This is a broader philosophical view stating that moral laws are determined by God’s
commands. In this view:
• Right actions are what God commands.
• Wrong actions are what God forbids.
For example, in Christianity, the Ten Commandments, Jesus' teachings (like the Sermon
on the Mount), and biblical laws form the basis of ethical behavior.
Strengths of Biblical Ethics:
Provides clear moral guidelines based on faith.
Promotes virtues like love, kindness, and justice.
Gives a sense of absolute right and wrong rather than human-made rules.
1. The Foundation of Biblical Ethics
The Bible teaches that morality is not subjective but rooted in God’s nature. Ethics is
about aligning human behavior with God’s holiness, justice, and love.
Key Verse:
Leviticus 19:2 – "Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy."
2. Biblical Ethics in Different Periods of Scripture
A. Creation and the Fall (Genesis)
God created humans in His image (Genesis 1:26-27), which means we have a moral
nature. But after the Fall (Genesis 3), sin corrupted human ethics.
Genesis 2:16-17 – "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat
from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil..." (God gave a moral command, showing
that ethics comes from Him.)
Genesis 4:7 – "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?" (God warns Cain about
moral responsibility before he murders Abel.)
B. Moral Law and the Ten Commandments (Exodus - Deuteronomy)
God gave Moses the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20), which form the foundation of
biblical morality. These laws establish ethical principles like honesty, justice, and
respect for life.
Exodus 20:13-16 – "You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not
steal. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."
Deuteronomy 6:5 – "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your strength." (The Great Commandment summarizing ethical living.)
C. Wisdom and Practical Ethics (Psalms - Proverbs - Ecclesiastes)
The wisdom books emphasize character, justice, and righteousness.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding." (God’s wisdom is the ethical standard.)
Proverbs 11:1 – "The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with
him." (God values honesty in business and daily life.)
Ecclesiastes 12:13 – "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all
mankind."
D. Prophets and Social Justice (Isaiah - Malachi)
The prophets condemned corruption, oppression, and injustice. They emphasized that
true righteousness is not just religious rituals but justice and love for others.
Isaiah 1:17 – "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the
fatherless; plead the case of the widow."
Micah 6:8 – "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of
you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
E. Jesus and the Ethics of Love (Gospels: Matthew - John)
Jesus fulfilled the law and emphasized love, grace, and internal righteousness rather
than just external obedience.
Matthew 5:44 – "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Matthew 22:37-40 – "Love the Lord your God with all your heart... and love your neighbor
as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
John 13:34-35 – "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you
must love one another."
F. The Early Church and Christian Ethics (Acts - Epistles)
The apostles taught moral living based on Christ’s teachings, emphasizing holiness,
unity, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12:2 – "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind."
Galatians 5:22-23 – "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Ethical character comes from the Holy
Spirit.)
Ephesians 4:25 – "Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your
neighbor."
G. Final Judgment and Ultimate Ethics (Revelation)
God’s justice will fully restore righteousness, rewarding the faithful and punishing the
wicked.
Revelation 22:12 – "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each
person according to what they have done."
Revelation 21:8 – "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually
immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the
fiery lake of burning sulfur."
3. Core Principles of Biblical Ethics
• God is the source of morality (Psalm 119:105).
• Love is the greatest command (1 Corinthians 13:13).
• Obedience to God leads to righteousness (James 1:22).
• Justice, mercy, and humility are key (Micah 6:8).
• Ethics is both individual and social—not just about personal holiness but about
fairness and kindness to others.
4. Conclusion: The Role of Biblical Ethics Today
Biblical ethics remains relevant today by guiding how we treat others, make decisions,
and seek justice. While society’s laws change, biblical morality remains rooted in God’s
unchanging nature.
