Chapter 1 TA
pdf
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Concordia University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
204
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
Pages
7
Uploaded by JudgeInternetWildcat30
1
Name – Ruth Rezene Habte
Student Id- 40228151
Email-
ruthrezene96@gmail.com
Course Name- Introduction to Christian Ethics
Course Code- Theo 204
TA name – Daniel Gill
2
Chapter 1
Imagine that you are returning merchandise to a large department store. The value of the
merchandise is $500. As you are returning the goods, you notice what you think is an error
on the part of the clerk. Instead of crediting your account the proper $500 amount, it seems
the clerk has credited your account with $1,000. In order to come to a correct
understanding of what has happened in this example which will allow you to decide what it
is you should do, identify how the five operations of moral questioning found in Chapter
One play out in this example.
If I were to encounter such a situation, I would follow the five operations of moral
questioning which are listed below,
“What is it?”
1
Firstly, once I noticed I had an extra $500 I would be happy as I got money
but once I found out the lady made a mistake.
I would feel bad for the error made on her side. I
would keep the money regardless because I am at a point in life where I need money.
“Is it so?”
2
If I were to go back and the manager was there or another employee, then she
would be called and probably scolded. And if there are any similar errors in the future, they
would point to her as she made an error before, or she could have been fired immediately. If I
just keep quiet, they might not notice it, and this is a small error, and that large department stores
would not bother about.
“what do I do?”
3
I'm not sure if I should go back at this point because they might find out
and question or fire her. At the same time if I go back that might be the reason she gets caught.
I
1
Kenneth Melchin,
Living with Other People
: An Introduction to Christian Ethics Based on Bernard Lonergan.,
1998, 23
2
Melchin, Living with Other People, 1998, 24
3
Melchin,24
3
would think about what I would do and sleep better at night. I would decide to keep the money as
the transaction is done what was supposed to happen happened. And I need the money anyway.
“Is this the right thing to do?”
4
Indeed, to a greater extent. if they investigate and would
find out that 500 is missing and that she gave extra credit to someone else. It will happen
regardless.. But I would not expose her and make her life harder if they had not noticed. I would
have felt bad. And since I require 500 $ it might be the universe gifting me.
“Will I do it or not?”
5
Even though it might not be the best decision to hold onto money
that was unintentionally given to you, I would do so and wish the employee the best of luck.
“We can say that moral action is not a single movement from experience to action; instead, it is a
complex chain or scheme of operations, each of which is driven by a distinctive type of
questioning ”
6
4
Melchin, 24
5
Melchin,26
6
Melchin,27
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
4
Chapter 2
Describe the characteristics of cheating on university assignments or exams by answering
the following questions:
Explain the moral characteristics of cheating on university assignments or exams in terms
of the three meanings of the term good (personal desire, social order, and longer-range
progress or decline of the social order [social structure] itself).
Cheating on university assignments or exams is a known thing to be ethically and morally
wrong. However, according to personal desire, “good seems to mean little more than something
that satisfies an individual desire”
7
. Cheating for personal desire is trying to get good grades and
satisfy ourselves easily without putting in the work. And protecting ourselves from the feeling of
being a bad or weak student. Cheating and getting good grades cause fulfillment for our tasks as
students which makes us so happy and proud.
The second term of good stems from the help received from a friend through the exam
question we were struggling with or in an assignment that we were not able to do by ourselves on
time regardless of the reason. The social order shows us that these actions are part of our living
and giving someone an answer or leading a hand when solving questions for graded assignments.
My friend feels a sense of obligation to help me.
The third good longer-range progress or decline of the social order itself is when for
example I did not study for my exam and my friend didn’t help, I would not be a friend again as
she was not there for me regardless of if it was for a good cause or not.
We always see the dark
side not her standing up for herself or making a good decision trying to save both of us from
academic integrity, but we see the side where we think she betrayed us.
7
Melchin,43
5
“With care, discipline, and a commitment from all sectors of society, citizens can live in stable
structures while still informed by the moral structure by moral consciousness of third-level moral
meaning”
8
Chapter 4
There are two parts to this question. First, drawing on Melchin’s explanation in Chapter
four, in what sense is there a distinctive Christian Ethics? Second, how has this
distinctiveness played itself out in a story from your own life or in someone you know
about, whether in fiction or real life.
“Christian faith is not an alien intruder into ethical living, rather it works within ethical
experiences as a response to the most dangerous and troublesome challenge in the experience,
the threat of evil.”
9
Our strong faith in God, which is the foundation of our Christian beliefs,
directs our moral behavior in every area of life. Faith holds significant importance in
Christianity, with followers choosing to adhere to the teachings of Christ. Our faith not only
shapes us as individuals but also motivates us to be better people, encouraging us to follow a
virtuous path. This commitment extends to engaging in moral reflection and taking ethical
actions, both in our interactions with others and in our dedication to contributing positively to
society.
One remarkable experience I had was extending forgiveness to someone who wronged
me, a family friend. I supported her during difficult times and dedicated a year and a half to
tutoring her daughter without any additional fees. However, when I requested a small favor, she
not only declined, which wasn't a problem in itself, but she also lied and caused numerous
8
Melchin,59
9
Melchin,88
6
complications. Additionally, she wasn't present during my challenging or joyful moments,
revealing a two-faced nature. As a Christian and follower of Christ, I chose not to seek revenge
but, in line with Christian ethics outlined in the Bible, decided to completely cut ties with her.
The decision was influenced by biblical teachings that emphasize forgiveness and responding to
wrongdoing with virtuous actions.
Chapter 5
Identify an event or cluster of events in which you can see the three historical forces
(progress, decline and redemption) actually at work in the event. Explain each of these
‘forces’ and also how they interact with each other.
The history of Eritrea is a series of events in which we can clearly see the three historical
forces of progress, decline, and redemption at work.
Eritrea was a part of Ethiopia under the
reign of Emperor Halie Selassie, which led to the construction of infrastructure, an expansion of
the economy, and the sale of goods. At this stage, Eritrea was in progress. Individuals were free
to live, work, and pursue their education as they pleased. Emperor Halie Selassie succeeded in
taking Eritrea from under the rule of Italy and establishing a more equitable government for the
nation. Emperor Halie Selassie was not like the Italians, who made the civilians suffer abuse,
subjected them to discrimination solely on the basis of skin colour, and denied them "dignity of
persons"
10
. This implies their lack of ethical deliberation. For the civilians of Eritrea, life was
better, and when he granted them their own independent nation.
Since the death of Emperor
Halie Selassie, the decline of Eritrea began. The very next day, Derg took control of Ethiopia and
intended to annex Eritrea in order to gain access to the port and the sea for transportation, among
other benefits. Thus, they fought for their freedom for thirty years. After this war, the nation
10
Melchin,111
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
7
enjoyed 32 years of gradually developing the infrastructure, economy, and many other aspects of
the nation. This nation began as a growing one, fell for thirty years, and then began to slowly
rebuild itself following a significant setback.
Bibliography
Melchin, Kenneth R.
Living with Other People :
An Introduction to Christian Ethics
Based on Bernard Lonergan.
Saint Paul University Series in Ethics. Collegeville, Minn:
Liturgical Press, 1998.