Two Discussion Board

Lesson 14: Ethical Theories, Consequentialism - Discussion Board

In the Discussion Board for Lesson 14, explain what you think consequentialism adds to the discussion of ethics.

• Is consequentialism, either ethical egoism or utilitarianism, a satisfactory means of determining what one ought to do, or is it just a handy way to think about what actions might be better than others?
• What are some arguments for or against considering consequences when one tries to determine what one ought to do?

For all Discussion Boards, be sure to include citations for the main arguments in your opening post.

1. When you refer to a specific item in the lesson, then a shorthand parenthetical citation is all that is needed. For example, (Presentation on Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”, slide 4); or, (Velasquez, p. 6); or, (Illustration of Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”, 3:30).
2. When you reference a source outside of the lesson, please provide enough information for us to find your reference.

In your posts, be respectful.

1. 10 points. Click on the forum link to create a thread. For your initial post, use a minimum of eight (8) sentences to provide specific and substantive arguments and/or examples from the lesson.Bonus Option 4: God and Behavior
   • Due Tuesday by 11:59pm
   • Points 0
   • Submitting a text entry box or a file upload
   • File Types docx, doc, and pdf
   • Available Aug 1 at 12am - Aug 5 at 11:59pm
   Bonus Option 4 considers the intersection of belief in God and decisions about how we ought to act. We considered arguments for and against the existence of God in Lessons 11 and 12. In Lessons 13-15, we considered three theories related to ethics, the branch of philosophy which studies how we ought to behave. Many people claim that their ethical code is based on what God has commanded, an ethical framework referred to as Divine Command Theory. Pages 510-519 in the textbook discuss two versions of Divine Command Theory. For Bonus Option 4 discuss any of the following:
   • What are the implications for behavior given one's belief in God and what one thinks one knows about how God would have us act?
   • How do we account for discrepancies between the behavior of those who claim to believe in God and the commands of God regarding how they ought to behave?
   • How do we explain our own ungodly or unethical behavior whatever our beliefs about God’s existence?
   • How does belief in God and belief in God's commands for behavior relate to the other ethical theories that we have discussed?
   20 points possible.Be sure to include citations for the main arguments in your response.
   1. If you refer to a specific item in a lesson, then a shorthand parenthetic citation is all that is needed. For example, (Lesson 02: Presentation on Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”, slide 4); or, (Velasquez, p. 6); or, (Lesson 02: Illustration of Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”, 3:30).
   2. If you reference an outside source please provide enough information to find your source.
   Please note that there is no rubric for the bonus discussion questions. Grades are determined based on how well you address the issue compared to how well others in the class have addressed the issue, including grammar, general flow of your essay, and quality of the discussion that you present