Law, Religion

and
ETHICS
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kautusan na magbigay kay Cesar ng
buwis-pandayuhan o hindi?
Ipakita ninyo sa akin ang perang
ginagamit na buwis-pandayuhan
Kay Cesar.
Ibigay nga ninyo kay Cesar ang mga bagay
na nauukol kay Cesar. Ibigay ninyo sa Diyos
ang mga bagay na nauukol sa Diyos.
 Law
and
ETHICS
1. The Relationship Between Law and
Ethics
If everyone made the same ethical
decisions with the same results, there
would be no need for law.
Ethical decisions can be made by relying on:
Opinions and feelings
Applying the greatest good principle, and
Following the golden rule.
In the real world, however, some people
engage in conduct that most people agree is
wrong
2. Why Law is Necessary
Law is the system of rules of conduct
established by the government of a
society to maintain stability and justice.
Law defines the legal rights and duties of
the people and provides the means of
enforcing these rights and duties.
3. Ethics and Legal Conflicts
Because law is made by people, it is
imperfect.
Legislators and judges bring their own
personal opinions on ethics to the
lawmaking process.
As a result, ethics and law will sometimes
conflict.
 The Five Main Sources of
PH Law
1. Constitutional Law
2. Common Law
3. Statutory Law
4. Court Decisions
5. Administrative Regulations
Religion
and
ETHICS
A. Divine Command Theory
Meta-ethical theory
the view that morality is somehow
dependent upon God, and that moral
obligation consists in obedience to
Gods commands.
the morally right action is the one that
God commands or requires
 Eutyphro Dilemma
based on one of Platos Dialogues,
between Socrates and Eutyphro
Is the pious loved by the gods because it
is pious, or is it pious because it is loved
by the gods?
Does God command this particular action
because it is morally right, or is it morally
right because God commands it?
Implications of the Eutyphro Dilemma
1. If God commands something, then it would
be morally obligatory
2. God and goodness are identical and that this
is what makes his commands good
3. If divine command theory is accepted, it
implies that God is good because he obeys
his own commands
B.Autonomy
morality requires an agent to
freely choose which
principles they live by
morality cannot be
dependent on the will of God
C. Religious Pluralism
it is impossible to know which
god's or religion's commands
should be followed
there are many religions to be
followed, and it is impossible to
accept all of them
If all gods are true, which one
should be followed?
SUMMARY
 Ethics tell us what we should do, it may be
subjective. People do not always do what they
should do, so laws are defined providing an
objective standard of behavior
Law and religion are important because
society needs a system of rules to maintain
stability and peace.
Law, religion, and ethics can conflict in a
variety of circumstances. Professional ethics
are not always consistent with the rule of law,
and so are religious doctrines.