Heteronomy - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Heteronomy

The Relationship Between Morality and Religion

• Morality depends on religious belief (no religion = no morals)
• Religious people make moral decisions using their individual reason and conscience.
• This is influenced by religious belief through: Scripture, Tradition and Religious Figures and Leaders

• Society has historically been more religious than not. In Britain, much of our laws and customs come out of Christianity.
• Whenever we talk about ‘good’ and ‘bad’ we are using words that have been shaped (in Britain) by the historic religion of Christianity – in other countries their notions of good and bad also reflect their historical dominant religion.
• Therefore, some argue that although people in the West may be more secular today, they are using morality borne out of religion!

• Philosophers argue that people are intrinsically selfish beings.
• Without religious influences (current and historically) there could arise no moral framework that combats selfishness.
• There would be no ‘rules’ like ‘treat others as you wish to be treated’ etc.
• If you are a religious person, you also have the extra motivation to behave morally to please your God or avoid punishment by her.