something that is always true and unchanging

something that is dependent on or connected to something else

actions or behaviour done by humans that are intentionally harmful or wrong, such as lying, stealing, or violence

suffering and harm caused by natural events or forces, such as earthquakes, floods, or diseases, which are not caused by human actions

The nature of human goodness

Religious education

Deontology and Immanuel Kant

Teleology and utilitarianism

Situation ethics

Virtue ethics

Suffering and compassion

In this unit pupils will use a philosophical lens to consider what we mean by good. They will examine  various ethical answers given such deontology, utilitarianism and situation ethics. They will conclude by weighing up the issue of suffering in the world.

Ethics: how do we know what is 'good'?

a way of thinking about ethics that focuses on following principles or duties to make good choices

something you should do because it’s the right thing, like telling the truth or keeping a promise

an 18th-century philosopher who believed that doing the right thing means following important rules or principles, no matter what

ethical theories that focus on the outcomes or consequences of an action

the idea that actions should aim to produce the most happiness for the most people

an 18th-century philosopher and social reformer who developed utilitarianism

an ethical theory that focuses on achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people

the selfless, unconditional love that Jesus taught through the command to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’

an American Christian theologian who developed situation ethics in the 1960s

an ethical theory which argues that the most loving action should guide decisions in each situation

the virtue that lies between two vices, which are the extremes of deficiency and excess

a British philosopher who developed virtue ethics in the 20th century

the feeling of caring for someone’s suffering and wanting to help alleviate it

to explain why something is right or acceptable

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Ethics: how do we know what is 'good'?

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