Religion and Social Ethics Midterm

Question	Answer
What is epistemology and three types viewed in class?	The study of knowledge. Empiricism- experiential knowledge Rationalism- knowledge through reasoning Intuitive- self- referential knowledge
What is reductionism in a religious context?	Reducing reasons for religion to human qualities. (social cohesion- Durkheim; family trauma- Freud; dealing with financial issues- Marx)
Name three approaches to the study of religion mentioned in class.	Theoretical- studying what may have been thought or said through scripture. Practical- studying what is said and done by religious people. Sociological- studying religious groups and interpersonal relationships.
What is the main difference between morals and ethics?	Both morals and ethics are the accepted guidelines of proper conduct/ behaviour. Ethics generally refers to some sort of greater social sphere and morals generally refer to an individual context.
What is the difference between deontological and teleological normative ethics?	Deontological- focuses on the rightness or wrongness of an action rather than intention or consequence. Teleological- focuses on the intent of action rather than rightness or wrongness.
What is Aristotle's idea of practical ethics?	To seek what it means to be a good person and apply the good, since rightness depends on the circumstance, he rejected the idea of deontologically seeking the knowledge of good.
What is the concept of eudaimonia? Who fathered it?	Eudaimonia is the concept of human flourishing or happiness which Aristotle labelled as the "supreme good" as one must have good character to become happy in this way.
What is Aristotle's idea of moral virtue?	Aristotle defines moral virtue as behaving in the right manner which he categorizes as a midway between the extremes of deficiency and excess (middle ground between vices, ex. modesty is a virtue between the vices of shamelessness and shyness.)
What is Aristotle's view on the relationship between religion and morals?	God is a source of morality with reason being the most divine element in nature.
Where and during which time period did Aristotle live?	Ancient Greece (384- 322 BCE)
Where and during which period did Kant live?	18th century Germany (1724- 1804)
What were Kant's views on the enlightenment?	"Mans emergence from self- imposed immaturity"
What is the idea of "Dare to know" and who fathered it?	Kant encouraged individuals to cultivate the courage to create one's own understanding.
Name the three books involved in Kant's critical philosophy.	1) Critique of Pure Reason 2) Critique of Practical Reason 3) Critique of Judgement
What is the main idea of the "Critique of pure reason"?	Seeks to critique the faculty of human reason as individuals cannot know if their reason explains the world as it truly is, especially since people are so easily influenced by desires.
What is the main idea of the "Critique of practical reason"?	To critique and identify reason which is not influenced by desires but instead decision- making abilities.
What is the main idea of the "Critique of Judgement"?	Deals with issues of aesthetics, identifying "the good", and teleological judgments (intent of action versus morality of action).
What is the categorical imperative and who fathered it?	This was Kant's main ethical rule of "never perform and action you do not wish to see repeated", similar to Jesus' golden rule (do onto others as you would have them do onto you)
What are Kant's views on religion?	Agnosticism, that one cannot prove or disprove God but that morality lies within religion and that God plays a fundamental role in enforcing this.
Where and during which period did Nietzsche live?	19th century Germany
Describe the idea of "will to power" and who fathered it.	Nietzsche described this will as human driving force expressed through ambition and need for achievement. Primal frustration occurs when external forces attempt to subdue this will (such as religion)
Describe the idea of "slave morality" and who fathered it.	EDIT NEEDED
What is Nietzsche's notion of the "superman"?	The idea that individuals are creators of their own values creates a liberating notion and instills a sense of responsibility for one's actions. This maximizes full potential for those who dare to say "yes" to life.
Describe myth and ritual in the context of religion.	Myth- the symbolic story of origins and how people relate to a higher power's expectations. Ritual- symbolic re-enactment of myth and sacridity
Describe the sacred in the context of social order.	The sacred is the continuation of traditionalism and includes the concept of "is= ought" meaning the way things are, is they way they ought to be as this is the way the ancestor had intended.
Identify and explain the concept of the sacred.	Is= ought. The way things are is the way they ought to be. In sacred societies all who are alike are the same, sacred= human. All strangers, meaning those who are different, are profane and even less than human. Fosters fear of the "other" and demands obedience.
Identify and explain the concept of the holy.	The holy challenges the assumption of truth and reality. the holy encourages doubt and questioning about the way things are, being contested by the way things ought to be (i.e. oppeness to the stranger/ other).
What significance did historical events such as the Holocaust and Hiroshima have to concepts of the sacred and the holy?	These events express a linkage of two sacred notions (technological mythos/ ethnocentric tribalism) leading to systematic, planned violence.
What is the concept of Demonic Doubling?	Doubling is a concept where an individual situates themselves into a hierarchical and technocratic bureaucracy as assisting the means to their end and therefore, feeling absolved of their actions. A demonic or evil example of this type of unquestioned obedience to the "sacred" order is the defense at the Nuremberg trials in Germany.
What does it mean to have audacity on behalf of a stranger?	If surrendering to the sacred leads to unquestioned obedience, it could be said the holy leads to the opposite of audacity. An example of this is Abraham questioning God asking if He shall not only be the just, but be just.
What are the 5 Hindu castes?	1) Brahmin- Preists 2) Kshstriyas- Warriors 3) Vaisyas- Merchants 4) Sudras- servants 5) Untouchables
What is Samsara and what is the goal for it?	Samsara is the process of birth, death, and rebirth and an individual is liberated from it when the human soul (Atman) reaches liberation (Moksha)
Jnana Yoga is a path to spiritual enlightenment in Hinduism, what does it entail?	It is the path of insightful and spiritual knowledge (e.x. Sannyasin who renounces all obligations of material world)
Raja Yoga is a path to spiritual enlightenment in Hinduism, what does it entail?	The path of mediation, using breathing and concentration to transform consciousness.
Karma Yoga is a path to spiritual enlightenment in Hinduism, what does it entail?	It is the path of following the dharma (e.x. Arjuna following his dharma as a warrior in the Bhagavad Gita)
Bhatki Yoga is a path to spiritual enlightenment in Hinduism, what does it entail?	It is the path of loving devotion to a god.
What transpired in the Bhagavad Gita and what are its ethical implications for Hinduism?	A man Arjuna internally struggles with fulfilling his dharma as a warrior in a battle against his own kin. Krishna appears and tells Arjuna to follow his dharma is right as it is important to practice non-attachment to the result of one's action as it is moral to live selflessly and follow the cosmic order. This is an example of doubling as well.
Where and during which period did Mohandas Gandhi live?	Mid 19th to mid 20th century India.
What were Gandhi's views of spiritualism vs. literalism.	He placed an emphasis on spiritualism claiming "the letter killteh, but the spirit giveth life."
What was Gandhi's view of religion in relation to ethics?	He emphasized that there was heavy influence on politics from religion as it provides an ethical framework.
What are the spiritual concepts of Satyagraha, Brahmachari and Ahisma and who fathered them?	These were Gandhi's personal religious spiritual beliefs: 1) Satyagraha- the power of truth of the oneness of humanity 2) Brahmachari- the practice of self- sacrifice and discipline which leads to universal compassion 3) Ahisma- non- violence
Who is Siddartha Gautama and what was his role in Buddhism?	Siddarth or the Buddha Gautama was a naive prince who encountered the 4 sights (aging, sickness, death, and asceticism), this shocked him into questioning everything he knew causing him to renounce the world and seek enlightenment.
What is the Middle Path and how was it developed?	Gautama developed a path between luxury and asceticism which leads to attaining enlightenment. It is exemplified through him attaining liberation at happy medium between his luxurious princely life and nearly starving as an ascetic.
What is the main goal of Buddhism?	For an individual to attain nirvana, remove desire (suffering), and minimize attachments.
What are the four noble truths?	1) The truth of suffering- one cannot change suffering but can change their responses. 2) That the origin of suffering is thirst/ desire. 3) The truth of overcoming suffering by cessation of thirst 4) To overcome suffering through the 8-fold path.
What does the 8-fold path consist of?	Right view, right thoughy, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration.
What is the difference between karma in Hinduism and Buddhism?	Karma in Hinduism is following the cosmic order of one's duty, while in Buddhism it means following the teachings of the Buddha.
What is a Bohisattva?	A buddha or enlightened being who remains in the cycle of Samsara out of compassion in order to teach the dharma.
What are some ideals of Buddhist religious ethics mentioned in class?	In the moment of enlightenment self- interest and altruism coincide to create ethical consciousness and compassion for all beings. Enlightenment state brings forth ideas of interdependence, since all beings are empty of individual "self" to do harm to another is to do harm to yourself.
Who was Tich Nhat Hanh and where was be from?	He was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk prevalent in the 20th century. Still living, age 88 (not relevant)
What is the concept of socially engaged Buddhism and who fathered it?	Thich Nhat Hanh encouraged the idea of applying Buddhist dharma in the social sphere in areas such as politics, environment, economics, and suffering.
What was Thich Nhat Hanh's idea of non- dualism and how does it compare to Buddhist ethics as a whole?	The idea of non- dualism has to do with dissolving concepts of good/ evil expressed through Buddhist ideal of interdependence/ emptiness of self to allow the individual to compassionately engage with the "other".
What was Thich Nhat Hanh's idea of an "interbeing"?	The that our bodies only exist through interdependence with ecology. Life and the unity of it cannot exist without diversity.
What is the basic principle of the Jewish covenant with God?	The central organizing ideal of the covenant expressed through commandments (God's protection in exchange for dutifulness)
Which books of the Old Testament are the original Torah?	The books of Genesis- Deuteronomy.
What was the Exodus?	The migration of Jewish people, lead by Moses, after escaping Egypt.
What does the word "Israel" mean and how is its meaning significant within Judaism as a whole?	"Israel" meaning wrestler with God is the name given to Jacob after he wrestles with God's angel. This idea of wrestling with God and winning is a common theme throughout Judaism, the covenant is a two- way street which demands justice.
What is the concept of Chutzpa?	Relating to the common theme of "wrestling with God" it is the audacity in questioning God in areas of justice as God is not above being just. Human can demand justice of God as readily as He may of them.
Describe Hasidism.	A spiritual sect of Judaism characterized by the oneness of God, awe of creation, ineffable.
Name some ethical concepts in Judaism mentioned in class.	-The concept of hospitality to the stranger, as they are also God's embodiment. -Audacity to question authority. -Obedience is valued but not absolute as all actions may be questioned.
Who was Abraham Joshua Heschel?	Heschel was a revered 20th century Jewish Rabbi considered to be a spiritual genius from a young age. He placed heavy emphasis in Hasidic views. He posedthe idea that no man is alone as God is as much in search of humanity as humanity is for God.
Describe the concept of "Divine Pathos" and who fathered it?	Heschel father this concept and it occurs when a human is able to put aside their own ego aside to be devotional in divine demand.
What were some of Heschel's ethical thoughts mentioned in class?	-The spiritual and the social exist within the same sphere -Divinity demands justice -Human equality derived from God and humans must embody this ideal
What involvement did Heschel have in social activism during the 20th century?	Heschel advocated the idea that social unrest was a call to divine duty and he was involved in struggles against issues of inequality such as the civil rights movement, the Vietnam war and interreligious dialogue.
Briefly describe the story of Job and identify its implications relating to larger themes throughout Judaism.	This story is another example of the ever- present theme of wrestling with God. In this story a very obedient Job is unjustly punished by God and instead of questioning his own actions he stands strong in his devotion and has the audacity to challenge God for the injustice. This shows one of Judaism's main ideals that one can wrestle with God and win, this story encourages chutzpa. God praises Job for his integrity and restores his fortune.
What is the faith of Christianity based around?	The life, death and teachings of Jesus Christ. After he was crucified he imparted the spiritual notions of the father, son and holy spirit. His teaching labelled the Gosped or "good news", stated that those who believe in Jesus and this teachings will attain eternal life in heaven.
What is the Christian Trinity?	The concept of God's three manifestations of the father, son and the holy spirit.
Describe the Christian ritual if baptism.	Baptism is an initiation ritual characterized by sprinkling water or submerging an individual with water to signify cleansing.
What is the Christian idea of Original Sin?	Starting with Adam and Even in the garden of Eden the idea of original sin is humanity's corruption by desire which ultimately destroys the ability to obey God, redemption can be gained by embracing Jesus and his teachings.
Identify some Christian ethics mentioned in class.	-One must die to one's self, in terms of ego, in order to be able to embrace the other with the same loving power God possesses. -Most important commandment is that of love, loving with all one's self and loving the other as yourself -Obedience and humility, dying to the self to embody Christ
What were some ideals expressed by Jesus in the "Sermon on the Mount"	1) Resist the urge of revenge, if someone slaps you offer the other cheek 2) Encourages love of not only those who are dear but to enemies as well 3) Do not judge for no one is perfect 4) Do onto others as you'd have them do onto you
Who was Martin Luther King Jr?	King Jr was a 20th century social activist dealing with issues of the civil rights movement and general human equality.
What were some of King Jr's major roles in the civil rights movement?	1) Lead the Montgomery Bus boycott after Rosa Park incident 2) Adapted Gandhi's ideals of non- violent civil disobedience to racially segregated America. 3) Helped the march on Washington to call attention to passing the civil rights bill 4) Denounced Vietnam war and drew parallels to global themes of inequality, poverty and disparity
How did spirituality affect King Jr's view of social justice.	1) He applied Jesus' teaching of the Sermon on the Mount (Golden Rule) 2) Ethic deeply rooted in Christian fellowship spiritual ideals 3) His "Kitchen Experience" convinced him to continue his fight for justice and righteousness because it was God's will
What ideas were expressed by King Jr in his letter from Birmingham Jail?	1) injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere 2) Non- violent social campaigns must consist of identification of injustices, negotiation, self- purification and direct action 3) Law which degrades humans is unjust

Next up

Religion and Social Ethics Midterm

Description

Resource summary

Similar

	Created by Claire Frye over 9 years ago