Religion, Libertarianism and Virtue Ethics
Religion is a social institution, which grows out of individuals' collective attempt to structure and understand the university (McGonigal, 2012). It is a natural consequence of human behavior and social groups. It endeavors to explain occurrences and social inequalities. In so doing, religion tends to justify inequalities, thus, provides a foundation for religious identification, which often breeds social conflict (McGonigal).
Libertarianism is a political philosophy, which claims that every person is the absolute owner of his own life (New World Encyclopedia, 2008). It believes that a person can do anything with himself or property for as long as he respects the rights of others to their own lives and properties. As an ethical theory, libertarianism asserts that the best political, social, and economic system is one, which governs the least. It confers the greatest personal or individual liberty while minimizing government action, regulation and sanction. It opposes socialism. To some extent, some libertarians are considered anarchists. The two broad types of libertarianism are consequentialism and the rights theory. The rights theory asserts that all interaction should be voluntary and consensual. It prohibits force, the threat of force and fraud. Consequentialism allows the use of force if it redounds to the good of society (New World Encyclopedia).
Virtue Ethics
This emphasizes the virtues or moral character in contrast to the mere performance of duties, observance of rules or the consequences of actions (Hursthouse, 2008). Its central concepts are virtue, practical wisdom, and eudaimonia. Virtue is a concept of something, which makes its possessor good. Practical wisdom enables the possessor to do the right thing. And eudaimonia means living a life of virtue (Hursthouse).
Teleology and Deontology
These are two...
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now