Full Answer Section

How does each system define “the good?”

• Christian ethics defines the good as that which is in accordance with God’s will. This is revealed in the Bible, which teaches that we should love God and love our neighbors as ourselves.
• Utilitarianism defines the good as that which produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. This is determined by considering the consequences of an action, and weighing the benefits and costs to all affected parties.

How does each claim to know “the good?”

• Christian ethics claims to know the good through revelation. God has revealed his will to us through the Bible, and we can know what is good by following his commandments.
• Utilitarianism claims to know the good through reason. We can use reason to calculate the consequences of our actions and determine which actions will produce the greatest happiness.

What, if anything, do these systems have in common?

• Both Christian ethics and utilitarianism emphasize the importance of happiness. Christian ethics teaches that we should seek to make others happy, while utilitarianism teaches that we should act in ways that produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
• Both systems also emphasize the importance of reason. Christian ethics teaches that we should use reason to understand God’s commandments, while utilitarianism teaches that we should use reason to calculate the consequences of our actions.

What, if anything, are the key differences?

• The key difference between Christian ethics and utilitarianism is their source of authority. Christian ethics is based on the authority of God, while utilitarianism is based on the authority of reason.
• Another key difference is their focus. Christian ethics is more focused on the individual, while utilitarianism is more focused on society as a whole.

Which theory do you think is the stronger ethical theory?

I believe that Christian ethics is the stronger ethical theory. I believe that it is more comprehensive and more coherent than utilitarianism. Christian ethics provides a clear and consistent standard of good and evil, while utilitarianism can be more subjective and open to interpretation. Additionally, Christian ethics emphasizes the importance of love and compassion, which are qualities that I believe are essential to a good ethical system.

However, I do believe that utilitarianism can be a useful tool for making ethical decisions. It can help us to weigh the consequences of our actions and to make choices that will produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people. However, I believe that it is important to remember that utilitarianism is not the only ethical consideration. We should also consider the moral law, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the needs of the individual when making ethical decisions.