As is the case for all of us, COVID has impacted me as well. Part of it included a much heavier teaching load in the fall of ’20 and spring of ’21. Often I was scrambling just to keep up with online classes and students’ many posts! Also, in many…

Introduction In the previous post, I argued that there is another explanation for the ground of core morals, such as justice and love are good, and murder and rape are wrong: they are grounded in God. …

Summary of the Survey We have surveyed major ethical options for what our core morals are, including: • Are they how we happen to talk? • Are they physical things? Perhaps evolutionary products? • Are they ways of behaving or moving our bodies? • Are they results of a utilitarian calculus? • Are they…

Introduction In the Middle Ages, the Scholastics’ Aristotelianism stressed metaphysics, especially real, immaterial, and universal qualities. This applied not only to human nature, but also to virtues and moral principles. As universals, many particular, individual humans can exemplify the very same quality (a one-in-many). The Shift With this stress upon universals and their…

Some Contributions What should we make of MacIntyre’s proposals? His ethics focuses on the importance of good character by embodying moral virtues and being authentic. He also draws attention to the importance of community. And, he emphasizes the need for living out the virtues, and not merely engaging in abstract theorizing. Broad Concerns As…

MacIntyre’s Diagnosis MacIntyre (b. 1929) observes people seem to speak from different moral standpoints, or languages. Some talk as though they are emotivists, while others are Kantians, utilitarians, relativists, Aristotelians, etc. But, it seems we no longer have a way to dialogue morally and come to agreements. These different ways of morally…

Introduction to Postmodernism Postmodernism is the last major kind of ethical views I will survey. Since it is post-modern, we will need to survey the modern era’s traits to which postmoderns are responding. In this essay, I will explore some of the historical and sociological factors leading…

What then should we think of critical theory (CT) and its shaping influences in these other views? I’ll consider some strengths and weaknesses. Strengths First, proponents rightly point out many injustices that should be addressed. They are right that too often, people in power abuse it to oppress people, which is…

Introduction In this essay, I will survey key points of three theories that have been deeply shaped by critical theory (CT). I will try to draw out their ethical implications. In the next essay, I will assess CT. Liberation Theology The first is liberation theology. We will…