World religions - SL | Ethics and moral conduct

Welcome to the Ethics and Moral Conduct Study Guide!

Hey IB students! This chapter, Ethics and Moral Conduct, is one of the most practical and fascinating parts of your in-depth studies. It moves beyond just beliefs and rituals to ask the fundamental question: How should we live?

For your exam (especially Paper 2), understanding the ethical framework of your two chosen religions is essential. It shows the examiner how doctrines translate into real-world behavior and decision-making. Don't worry if this seems tricky at first—we’ll break down these moral guidelines into clear, manageable steps!

1. Defining the Moral Compass: Ethics and Morality

Before diving into specific religions, let’s quickly clarify the terms we use when discussing moral conduct:

What is Ethics?

• Ethics: This refers to the systematic study of standards, principles, and rules concerning human conduct. Think of it as the theory—the set of reasoning and rules a religion establishes.
• Moral Conduct (or Morality): This is the practical application of those standards. It’s the action or behavior exhibited by followers in daily life.

Analogy: Ethics is the map the religion provides; Moral Conduct is the actual journey a follower takes using that map.

Why is Ethics Central to Religion?

For most world religions, ethical guidance provides:

• Structure: A clear path for followers to achieve salvation, enlightenment, or union with the divine.
• Community Cohesion: Shared moral rules create harmony and define the identity of the religious community (the Sangha in Buddhism or the Ummah in Islam).
• Meaning: It gives believers a purpose beyond self-interest, focusing on righteousness and service.

2. The Source of Moral Authority (Where do the rules come from?)

Every ethical system needs a foundation—a reason why its rules must be followed. In your two chosen religions, the source of authority generally falls into one of two main categories:

A. Divine Command and Revealed Law (Western Traditions)

In religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, moral conduct is primarily based on the direct command or instruction of God (The Divine).

• The Lawgiver: God is the ultimate source of right and wrong.
• Sacred Texts: Morality is enshrined in revealed scripture (e.g., the Torah, the Bible, the Qur’an, and the Hadith).
• Key Feature: Duty (Deontology): Followers obey the rules simply because God commanded them. It is a matter of fulfilling a religious duty.
• Example (Christianity): The Ten Commandments are direct, non-negotiable ethical laws revealed by God.

B. Cosmic Law and Natural Order (Eastern Traditions)

In religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, moral conduct is often understood as aligning oneself with the inherent natural or cosmic order of the universe.

• The Order: The universe operates under impersonal, moral principles (like gravity).
• Key Concepts: Actions are governed by Karma (the universal law of cause and effect) and Dharma (the righteous duty or cosmic order).
• Goal: Liberation: Following ethical rules leads to freedom from suffering (Nirvana) or the cycle of rebirth (Moksha).
• Example (Hinduism): A person’s Dharma (righteous conduct) is determined by their station in life, ensuring the balance of the cosmic order.

3. Two Major Ethical Approaches in Religion

When applying ethical systems, religious thinkers generally lean toward two major approaches to decide if an action is right or wrong:

A. Deontological Ethics (Duty-Based)

Deontology focuses on duty, rules, and intentions. The action itself is judged, not the outcome.

• Core Idea: An act is good if it follows the correct religious law, regardless of the consequences.
• Focus: The adherence to codified rules (e.g., the Law, the Sharia).
• Example: A deeply religious person refuses to lie to save a life, because lying is absolutely forbidden by their sacred scripture. The motive (upholding the law) is paramount.

B. Teleological Ethics (Consequence-Based)

Teleology (from the Greek telos, meaning end/goal) focuses on the consequences or outcome of the action.

• Core Idea: An act is judged right or wrong based on whether it achieves the highest religious goal (e.g., generating good karma, promoting love, maximizing human well-being).
• Focus: The ultimate purpose (e.g., salvation, Nirvana, the greatest good).
• Example (Buddhism): The ethical decision aims to minimize suffering and generate positive karma, even if it means bending a minor rule.

Did you know? Most religions use a mix! While Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are often seen as deontological (rule-based), concepts like Agape (unconditional love in Christianity) or Maslaha (public interest in Islam) introduce strong teleological elements, prioritizing positive outcomes.

4. Key Concepts Guiding Moral Conduct

The ethical systems of the world religions translate their foundational authority into specific, actionable guidelines. Here are fundamental concepts you must understand for your in-depth study:

A. The Emphasis on Inner Life and Intent

All major religions stress that ethics is not just about external actions, but the internal state (the intention) behind the action.

• Purity of Intention: In Islam, actions are judged by intentions (niyyah).
• The Mind and Karma: In Buddhism, all actions—physical, verbal, and mental—create karma. Moral progress requires controlling the mind, which is the root of craving and ignorance.
• The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus emphasized that anger (internal feeling) is equivalent to murder (external act), stressing internal righteousness.

B. Universal Virtues and Vices

Religious ethics universally promotes core virtues and condemns specific vices:

Virtues to Cultivate (The Positive Path)

• Compassion (Karuna/Rahmah): The active desire to relieve the suffering of others.
• Honesty and Truthfulness (Satya): Essential for trust and moral integrity.
• Justice and Righteousness (Tzedek/Dharma): Ensuring fairness and balance in society.
• Non-Violence (Ahimsa): Central to Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, emphasizing respect for all living things.

Vices to Avoid (The Negative Path)

• The Three Poisons (Buddhism): Greed, Hatred, and Delusion—the root causes of suffering.
• The Seven Deadly Sins (Christianity): Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, and Lust.

Memory Aid: Think of ethical conduct as a personal GPS. The Dharma/Sharia are the roads, the Vices are the roadblocks, and Compassion is the fuel that keeps you going toward the destination (Moksha/Heaven).

5. Ethics in Action: Personal vs. Social Conduct

Ethics is applied across two dimensions: how a follower lives their own life (personal) and how they interact with the wider world (social).

A. Personal Moral Conduct

This covers obligations to oneself, often reinforced through rituals (Part 2 Theme: Rituals) and practices:

• Sexual Ethics: Rules regarding marriage, divorce, and fidelity (e.g., chastity vows or the sanctity of the marital bond).
• Dietary Laws: Prohibitions (e.g., Kosher/Halal) that reinforce discipline and communal identity.
• Self-Discipline: Practices like fasting (Ramadan or Lent) are ethical acts designed to strengthen the follower's resolve against material temptation.

B. Social and Communal Ethics

These rules govern how the community interacts with outsiders and addresses societal problems:

• Charity and Economic Justice: Almost all religions mandate wealth redistribution (e.g., Zakat in Islam, Dana in Buddhism, Christian social teaching on poverty). This is a direct ethical requirement.
• Environmental Ethics: The concept of stewardship (e.g., Christianity/Judaism) or the interconnectedness of all life (e.g., Hinduism/Buddhism) provides a basis for environmental responsibility.
• Just War Theory: In traditions like Christianity and Islam, ethical parameters are established to determine when, and how, violence may be morally justified (e.g., the intention must be peace, and violence must be proportional).

6. Ethical Dilemmas in the Modern World

A key challenge in modern religious ethics is applying ancient, sacred laws to new, complex situations where the texts offer no direct instruction.

Applying Principles to Modern Issues

Followers and religious leaders must use their core doctrines (like Ahimsa, sanctity of life, or love) to navigate contemporary dilemmas:

Issue 1: Bioethics (Euthanasia and Abortion)

• Principle of Sanctity of Life: Western traditions (J, C, I) often assert that life belongs to God and should not be terminated by humans, leading to strict ethical prohibitions.
• Principle of Ahimsa: Eastern traditions (H, B, S) prioritize non-harm, also usually leading to condemnation of voluntary termination, though often with greater flexibility regarding suffering (Buddhism).

Issue 2: Social Inequality and Global Justice

• The Ethical Response: Religions are called upon to be the "conscience of society." For instance, Catholic Social Teaching (CST) provides comprehensive ethical guidelines on human dignity, workers' rights, and distribution of wealth, demonstrating the active role of ethics in politics.

The Role of Interpretation

Because sacred texts require interpretation, different schools of thought within a single religion (e.g., Orthodox vs. Reform Judaism; Catholic vs. Protestant Christianity) often arrive at different ethical conclusions regarding issues like marriage equality or war. This demonstrates that moral conduct is often dynamic, not static.