Ethics Final

1. Ethics Final Connor Liggett

2. Key question • How have religions shaped people’s moral beliefs? • This question got me thinking… • Do certain religions have different moral beliefs? • If so, why is that? • What examples are there?

3. Exploration • Inevitably, the first topic that came to my mind regarding this topic was the issue of abortion • Do different religions have different views on abortion? • In order to explore this further I considered the three main religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism\ • This article helped me out: • http://www.spiritualliving360.com/index.php/the-different-religions-views-on-abortion-33608/

4. Christianity • According to the article, but what I also know myself: • Christianity deems abortion immoral • Catholics believe that life starts at the moment of conception and therefore abortion is the destruction of a human life

5. Continued… • So why then do Christians feel this way? • Does it say anything about abortion in the Bible? • Check out this website/video: • http://carm.org/bible-abortion • According to their argument, it seems reasonable to conclude that their religion has molded their sense of morality regarding this issue

6. ISlam • http://www.islamcan.com/common-questions-about-islam/what-does-islam-say-about-abortion.shtml#.U4VFKc7j9zg • According to this article, Islam also preaches against abortion • However, as was the case with the Christians, some sects of the religion believe there are exceptions such as when the life of the mother and child are at risk • The Quran refers to 120 days after the conception as the time when “the soul is breathed into the fetus”

7. Judaism • More of the same really.. • According this article: • http://www.aish.com/ci/sam/48954946.html • Abortion is forbidden except for circumstances where the mother’s life is at risk

8. Conclusion (sort of) • Well from reading these articles on the 3 religions it is clear to see that they definitely condemn abortion • This would explain the great opposition to abortion around the world….or does it? • Because I could not find a major religion that supported abortion, it is hard to tell if religion is the reason people find it immoral • There are people who aren’t religious who are opposed to abortion • If religion was influencing people’s beliefs so much, why would they be against it?

9. continued • This is my conundrum: • Personally, I would not consider myself a religious person by any means– yet I still have morals • Therefore, religion doesn’t completely shape people’s morals • On the other hand, I know some people are very religious and I know that their religious beliefs directly influence their sense of morality

10. Real conclusion • How have religions shaped people’s moral beliefs? • I believe that it depends. • It depends on the strength of the individual’s devotion to the religion • I have no doubt that devout Catholic Christians who are opposed to abortion, believe so because the Bible tells them (or at least that is what they will claim) • While I personally believe that morality comes from within (you know what is right and wrong, you don’t need a book to tell you) I can see how religious individuals would use their religions as a moral compass

11. Key question #2 • Are scientists morally responsible for how their discoveries are used? • My initial, knee-jerk reaction to this question is a resounding ABSOLUTELY NOT • However, the topic is interesting and I will humor the idea and explore to see if I can find out any additional info that will change my mind

12. Digging • http://www.ted.com/conversations/16997/are_scientists_responsible_for.html • Interesting topic and scenario highlighted • I could also agree that it would be a bit unnerving if a NASA like organization began probing the oceans • Perhaps, the intentions of the scientists should be examined • Someone searching to exploit a resource should be held responsible if that resource is entirely used upj

13. Popular science weighs in… • http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-01/should-scientists-be-held-legally-responsible-their-results • And this is why I had my knee-jerk reaction • Italian scientists were charged with MANSLAUGHTER for being wrong about a seismic event that is impossible to predict • Sure they were wrong, but that is precisely the premise behind science • No scientist ever would claim to be right 100% of the time

14. COntinued • The whole idea behind the scientific method is to make a hypothesis– if its wrong so what? • You keep trying until you get it right • The fact that they were charged in court for being wrong about an unpredictable event seems wrong to me • The article doesn’t give all of the details but I can’t imagine the scientists said, “We are sure there won’t be an earthquake” • Probably more along the lines of “We don’t think there will be an earthquake” • BIG difference

15. Back to the topic.. • I don’t think that scientists should be held accountable for the repercussions of their discoveries for the simple fact that they do not know • How is one supposed to know the repercussions of one’s discovery before they occur? • How could the person who invented the first combustion engine have known that one day it would cause a dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to climate change? • All he knew was that he had invented a way to travel more efficiently

16. fIN • Furthermore, if all of the sudden scientists were blamed for the repercussions of their discoveries, I’m afraid science would lose its appeal • Who wants to spend the time and effort discovering something they’re just going to get sued for anyway? • In this case, I feel that my initial reaction was correct • Can’t see how its fair to pin global warming on the guy who invented the combustion engine • It is our responsibility to use the gift of scientific discoveries wisely