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Ethics / Morality Worldview - What Is The Right and Correct Way to Behave in Life?
Questions and considerations to help you determine the “moral” or “ethical’ aspect of your own worldview:
Relative Morality
What is good and right for YOU may not necessarily be “good” or “right” for others. Under this ethical world view we walk through life according to our own set of morals. Of course this view isn’t thought all the way through as it would break down societies and communities across the globe and humanity would descend into a chaotic mess of self-serving narcissism.
“I cannot say that evil exists only that we are dancing to our DNA”
– Richard Dawkins
vs.
Absolute Morality
There is good and bad, right and wrong, independent of perception. Morals exist as a result of an escalating level of good that cannot have infinite regress but must trace back to an independent “source” or “fountainhead” i.e. highest level of good that cannot be improved upon or increased any further.
"To admit that evil exists means by default we must admit that good exists and to admit that both good and evil exist one must then admit that there is a “law” of good and evil that exists and since there is a “law” of good and evil there must be a “law giver” (and this law giver must Himself possess a complete and full knowledge of the greatest of both good and evil – lest He be disqualified as “giver”) this means that since evil exists, so God must exist and since the law of good and evil is not by nature intrinsic – it bespeaks the implicit worth of personhood given to each by God.”
– Ravi Zacharias
Does Evil Exist?
Select each of the terms in the circles below to reveal in the large center circle, how each of the following moral/ethical worldviews answers the question: “Does evil exist?”
Animism/ Superstition/ Occult
Animism: Evil comes from the wicked spirits that moves on the earth and sometimes possess trees, rivers, animals, and people or it comes in the form of "negative energy" that we contribute to by our negative thoughts words and actions. In both cases it requires a "medium" in the form of a shaman or occultist to "clean" the evil or negativity.
Atheism/ Humanism/ Naturalism/ Darwinism
Atheism/ Humanism/ Naturalism/ Darwinism:
The views are becoming more and more divided whereby some say evil exists as a result of poor behavioral choices from one person towards another. It is inherent in DNA (nature), inborn naturally, Deity has nothing to do with it. It is nurtured, and shaped by experience: people, stimuli, etc. Now, more recently Richard Dawkins and others are backing away from conceding that evil exists as they realise that this surrenders the high ground and a strong basis for the moral argument for the existence of God. Therefore, they simply claim that there are behaviours that are "dancing to the DNA".
Biblical
Biblical Christianity:
Evil is the result of a curse due to rebellion against the Creator along with perpetual poor choices starting with the very first man and woman to this very day. Mankind is now born with sin as a hereditary result of the original choices of the first two humans made where disobedience to God in partaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was chosen despite full knowledge of the consequences of death in its various forms. This "fall of man" resulted in mankind's cateogorisation as a basically evil creature and the purveyor of most evil in the world today. (The other fraction of evil is due to the choices and nature of
fallen angels who act as instigators and temptors)
Hinduism
Hinduism: Evil comes from a cyclical series of bad choices over the course of thousands of years of repeated lives and sometimes various life forms. This "bad karma" can only be worked off by coming back in a lower life form and having the same or similar evils carried out on you to counteract the evil you carried out in your previous lifetime. One of many major problems with this is that if you were an adulterer and thief and therefore come back as a dog, how on earth can a dog be stolen from or be the victim of adultery? This system perpetuates evil and doesn't solve it.
Nihilism/ Christian Science/ Skepticism
Nihilism/ Skeptic/ Christian Science: There is no evil in the world, it is the illusion of unenlightened people.
Is Mankind Basically Good or Basically Evil?
Select each of the terms in the circles below to reveal in the large center circle, how each of the following moral/ethical worldviews answers the question: “Is mankind basically good or basically evil?”
Humanism/ Naturalism
Mankind is
basically good but gets
morally hindered by social
experience and perception. Human
beings must rid themselves of all guilt
which is brought on by what are considered "evil oppressive" institutions like Church, family, etc. (Atheism/Marxism). Sometimes these evil desires are repressed (c.f. Buddhism) in order to eliminate all pain and suffering as pain and suffering themselves are evil and must be removed altogether – There is no need of a God or a “giver of morals” in this worldview - all that is
needed is education and state-
driven "re-education" to bring
about an eventual greater good
in mankind and to rid the
planet of evil
Atheism/ Darwinism
Mankind is
basically good, evil doesn't exist and mankind grows into a more moral and civilized being as he evolves. In the meantime he is just "dancing to his DNA". The problem here is that despite mapping the genome, no one has found the DNA strand which codifies a universal moral law that murder, stealing, lying etc. is evil and yet throughout all cultures, even primitive ones, this moral law appears to be at work in sustaining order
within a given community or society.
Biblical
Mankind
is basically evil at
conception by way of the
transmission of an evil sickness
called sin which began with the first man
and woman and he grows more evil and corrupt over time. Human beings are basically sinful and in rebellion to their Maker and this brings on the guilt and inner turmoil that requires getting at the source of in-born sin and death and the healing that God provides through the finished work of
His Son on the cross. Suffering in
the Christian life can bring
development and a
greater good.
Environmentalism
Mankind is
basically evil and if left to
himself would destroy the human
race and its environment. It is therefore
up to mankind to save "Mother Earth" by
reducing his own numbers to less than 1 billion
as supposed overpopulation is bleeding the planet dry of its resources, huddle mankind into cities leaving the countryside open only for those with adequate carbon credits (the wealthy) to visit, sparsely populate and enjoy. The problem with
this worldview is that it assumes overpopulation when all 7 billion people could fit just in the panhandle of Florida and it assumes
there is no God to sustain mankind
on the earth that He created.
Nihilism/ Skepticism
Mankind is neither good nor evil as neither concept exists in this moral worldview. There is no "right" or "wrong" way of behaving as knowledge of good, evil, right or wrong cannot be known. The usual issue with this ethical issue is that it presumes knowledge of good and evil in order to assert that good and evil cannot be known nor even exist.
What Is The Right And Correct Way To Behave in Life?
Select each of the terms in the circles below to reveal in the large center circle, how each of the following moral/ethical worldviews answers the question: “What is the right and correct way to behave in life?”
Animism
Animism –
The moral worldview
of the animist hopes for the best
and does whatever they can to bring about
good luck and fortune, whether that be sacrificing animals, practicing superstitions of baseball, or engaging the "spirit world" through mediums, tarot readers etc. They must find a way to avoid evil spirits and if that is not possible they must somehow try to avoid upsetting them and if that is not possible they must then appease the spirits that they have upset. There are many
westerners who practice animism and are
not aware of it. There are also Hindus
who worship Siva the god of
destruction in this manner.
Consequentialism
Consequentialism – As long as the result is “morally good” to me it doesn’t matter what I do to achieve it. The ends justify the means.
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism – Everything I do should be to the greatest benefit to the greatest number of people. The well-being of the many outweighs the well-being of the individual.
Biblical
Biblical Christian – All that I do must be an expression of love for The God of the Bible first and foremost and thereafter I am to love and care for other people around me (my neighbours) in the same way that I love and care for myself. This is not possible for mankind in his fallen, sinful and rebellious state toward God and therefore requires a new birth through faith in the finished work of the Jesus the Son of God.
Hedonism
Hedonism –All that I do must be in pursuit of happiness, pleasure and self-gratification while avoiding and and all pain that I can as the abeyance of these pleasures is the very cause of the pain I am trying to avoid: “Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die” Eccl 8:15, Isa 22:13, ICor 15:32
Altruism/ Asceticism
Altruism –
I should behave in a way that benefits others especially when it doesn’t benefit me. This ethical/moral worldview is exhibited by the ascetic lifestyle of some Buddhist and Catholic monks as it suggests going out of one's way to be sure that the other person receives benefit and that in no way can the altruist benefit in any way from a given manner of behaviour. It is important to note that this is an ongoing methodology and not a one-off anonymous act.
Egoism
Egoism:
All things that I do should be in my own best interest and be to my own benefit. This can be considered to be at the opposite end of the moral worldview spectrum from altruism as it is a deliberate lifestyle of "looking out for number one - self". An example of this moral methodology can be seen in the typical "Hollywood" lifestyle: live fast, die young and leave a beautiful corpse.
Why do bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people?
Select each of the terms in the circles below to reveal in the large center circle, how each of the following moral/ethical worldviews answers the question: “Why do bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people?”
Fatalism/ Hinduism
Fatalism/Hinduism: What goes around, comes around, its the law of the universe (not a Deity); What goes around, comes around, its the law of the universe (not a Deity); Pantheism: Good is a reward received in this life from good deeds done in a past life.
Atheism/ Darwinism
Atheism: Events in our lives are a matter of either chance or stupidity, not luck, nor destiny, just chance. There is no good or bad, only pain or less pain (Non-religious Buddhists) - we make choices that result in more pain or less pain but the vast majority of our pain is caused by ourselves. (Buddhism - Non-religious)
Biblical
Biblical Christianity:
There is no one that is "good" nor
anyone that is "righteous" in the sense
of standing before God (no one is truly good
- as all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God). The Bible says that God causes the rain to fall on the righteous (in their standing with mankind) and the unrighteous as an act of His grace; God gives good things to all people good & bad without discretion at times; For others, God has put the wicked in “slippery” places whereby they receive so many good things like wealth fame and power that they will never repent as they will never see a need to repent in light of the supposed “good” things they have received. In some cases, bad things are the result of living in a fallen
world among fallen people (those in sin and
rebellion against the God of the Bible);
The bad is allowed in order to bring about
a greater good.
Monotheism (non-Christian)
Monotheism: (Islam, Roman Catholicism, Christian cults) God rewards good people with good things. Good things are sent even to evil people by a Deity as a special gift to teach them to be good; God repays bad people with bad things. If you are experiencing bad things it is because of some sin in your life (Islam, Christian cults).
Cynicism
Cynicism: There is no rhyme or reason whatsoever to the universe. Life is not fair and then you die.
Relativism
Relativism: The notion of “bad” or “good” people or ‘things’ is highly subjective and depends on which specific things and people you mean when you say "good" things and "bad" people etc. No one is truly good or bad as all things are relative to one another. Good and bad things happen in varying degrees and what might be bad to one is good to another - everything is relative.
Definitions of other moral and ethical worldviews
Which one do you most identify with?
Egoism
Egoism – any and all acts “ought to” serve one’s self interest and betterment and are thus morally good and right. c.f. satanism. Somewhat opposite to altruism
Altruism
Altruism – ‘alter = other’ – Sacrificing yourself for the good of the many is a superior moral doctrine particularly if it is NOT good for the person performing the moral act– a form of consequentialism – any act which brings good consequences is a morally “good” act.
Nihilism
Nihilism – Both a philosophy of religion (or toward religion) and an ethical view which involves a general rejection of established social conventions and beliefs, especially of morality and religion
Free Will Morality
Free Will Morality – Popularised by Immanuel Kant asserts that people act freely morally if it is true or can be shown that they could have acted otherwise. It is presumed that one’s moral actions/choices are not determined by their circumstances, past experiences, and psychological and personality traits. At the opposite end of the moral/ethical worldview spectrum one might find determinism which asserts that one’s choices/actions are determined by their circumstances, past experiences, and psychological and personality traits, over which they have no control.
Ethical Cynicism
Cynicism – believes that all human actions both morally and ethically are generally insincere and motivated by self-interest. This moral worldview rules out the possibility of “good” intention or the motivation of love. The Biblical moral worldview would state that we are basically evil and therefore we have a tendency toward evil in our moral and ethical choices. However, we still have the capacity to demonstrate heart-felt “love” toward our neighbor (all other humans outside our family and loved ones) and are therefore commanded to love others as we love ourselves; that is to care for, honour, help and nurture the well-being of others in the same way we care for, honour, help and nuture ourselves. (which is quite extensive)
Moral Pacifism
Moral Pacifism – Works on two levels: Global and domestic whereby any act of violence or repression is both unconditionally and morally “wrong”. This moral worldview gained much traction during the protests of the Vietnam War but have largely disappeared today save those that adhere to the moral pacifist ideology of the Dalai Lama in his fight to liberate his homeland Tibet from Chinese occupation and annexation. Today, many groups call themselves pacifists and object to wars around the world and are willing to hurl molatov cocktails and rocks at authorities to show their disdain for violence. This is an example of ideologically holding to a particular moral worldview while negating it with a contrary methodological worldview.
Humanism
Humanism – According to a popular humanist website, Humanists believe moral capabilities originate from within human beings (although this is where they manifest and cannot be their ‘origin’?) and their supposed evolution as “social animals”. (There has never been evidence of an evolution of social skills from animalistic to human. Animals socialise as animals and humans as humans – this state has always existed without evidence of progression from animal to human found anywhere.)
The humanist believes that, when deciding how to act, the humanist should use reason and empathy. (Two things “borrowed” from the Judao-Christian worldview as they have never been mapped in the genome and therefore cannot possibly come from a fish or any other animal) The humanist should think implicationally, considering potential consequences of their actions and the likely impact on other people and animals. (Considering impact on one’s neighbour has also been “borrowed” from the Biblical moral worldview in that Scripture began to state this as far back as the 15th century B.C.)
Relativism
Relativism – The belief that ethical/moral concepts such as right and wrong, goodness and badness are dependent upon culture, specific situations, or historical application and are not absolute in any way.
Hedonism
Hedonism – An ethical theory that identifies good as “happiness” and “happiness” as defined by the presence of pleasure and the absence of pain (c.f. Buddhism – cessation of pain). This view places the pursuit of pleasure as a measure of good itself mistaking a result of “good” for being “good” in and of itself. “Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die!” Hedonism can also be categorized as a “methodology” within the fuller picture of one’s worldview.
Moral Universalism
Moral Universalism – (might sometimes be referred to as moral objectivism) asserts that there is a moral system which applies to all people everywhere and for all time, regardless of their race, ethnicity, culture, gender, religion or any other distinguishing cultural or individual features.
This position is said to be a sort of “middle road” between moral absolutism (Biblical worldview) and moral realism (moral facts can exist in the same way as mathematical facts – Kant, Marx, Plato).
Moral Cognitivism
Moral Cognitivism – This is the moral worldview which asserts that all moral or ethical statements are themselves the expression of beliefs or a belief system and that because we can be “right or wrong” in our beliefs, a moral or ethical statement itself can be apt for truth and falsity. This moral worldview has sometimes been called the “denial of non-cognitivism”. It is similar to moral realism.
Absolutism
Absolutism – A philosophical theory in which values such as truth or morality are absolute and not conditional upon human perception.
Moral Determinism
Moral Determinism – asserts that one’s moral choices/actions are determined by their circumstances, past experiences, and psychological and personality traits, over which they have no control. The LBGTQ+ movement is a current day example of a moral determinist worldview whereas a Biblical worldview would consistently communicate a free will morality world view which is at the opposite end of the moral/ethics worldview spectrum.
Libertarian Morality
Libertarian Morality – This is a moral worldview that is deeply tied in with the libertarian political philosophy. It essentially adheres to a belief that the same moral choice can be either right or wrong just so long as the government does not interfere in the moral choice itself. A couple examples might be the legalisation of prostitution and illicit drugs. It can probably be said that libertarian morality is basically moral relativity and free will morality with a belief in the absolute uninvolvement of government in these moral choices. As the U.N. has recently produced a policy of moral universalism, this move would be condemned by the libertarian moral worldview. This view is also at odds with the Biblical worldview of moral absolutism.
Compatibilism
Compatibilism
Situationalism
Situationalism
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism – The ethical doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the criterion of the virtue of action
Laissez-Faire
Laissez-Faire – The laissez-faire approach to one’s own philosophy of ethics and morals is usually consistent with one’s own praxeology or methodology which is usually laissez-faire itself. This approach or attitude toward the formulation and maintenance of a moral or ethical structure insists on personal freedoms and liberties to formulate one’s own choices and actions. i.e. Jungian Psychology – “Each person is basically good and must find their own way.” or “Don’t push your morals on me!” are both laissez-faire attitudes toward one’s ethical or moral philosophy of life. This moral worldview is referred to in the Bible as “doing what is right in your own eyes” and is therefore at odds with the moral absolutism of Scripture.
The Biblical Worldview
Various philosophical worldviews will always lead the inquisitor to the same questions:
- How did we get here?
- Why am I here?
- What is my future, in life and after death?
It is for these questions that we have created this site that visitors may learn of the Biblical worldview which is the most correct and sufficienet to provide complete answers to the three questions above.
Select the graphic below to be taken to a page to learn what the Biblical worldview is:
Take a look at the other systems of belief that comprise your world view:
Do you have a question for us here at truthforsaints.com? Please go to our contact page and send it in. We will be happy to give an answer to those who ask. Please note that your question may be utilized as a blog entry for the education of others regarding World Religions, Cults, Christian Denominations, or various World Views.