This past week at IMPACT 360 (www.impact360.net) saw the awakening of students’ critical thinking capacities as those were brought to bear on the subject of ethics. Too broad? For sure. This was an introductory module to ethics–specifically an introduction to the major systems of ethics, including deontology, utilitarianism and virtue ethics. We also covered moral relativism and moral objectivism in depth. In our socratic roundtable discusssion on Thursday we had a lively exchange over how one might best respond to John Q. Citizen who makes the argument that “you cannot impose your values on anyone else, since values themselves are culturally defined, thereby making the language of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ entirely culturally bound.” Most agreed that discussion with someone like John on this question really won’t get very far if we try to reason from Scripture to the fact of moral objectivity. In this case we have to punt to general revelation.
Here is the real-life case study I brought to Thursday’s roundtable. A social work student I met several years ago at a large state university said this to me in a follow-up email to a conversation she and I had about the merits of the Federal Marriage Ammendment (2004), which would have outlawed (by way of Constitutional amendment) same-sex marriages:
“I think I was most troubled by the concept of an objective moral reality. How can you prove that it exists? If everyone were to follow certain steps, would they each come to the same conclusion about this moral reality? Morality is certainly not inherent in each of us ? we are taught the morals of our culture. Similarities between cultures regarding taboos and mores indicate that certain activities or practices contribute to survival or well?being. I allowed your argument that nobody would agree with torturing babies as a premise in our discussion on Tuesday night, but I’d even like to retract that. Maybe some people think it’s okay. Female genital mutilation is still practiced. How do we know it’s okay to eat animals? How do we “know” it’s not okay to eat people? Or is it? Our knowledge is not innate. From research, I can say that we are social creatures, and without society we do not develop.”
Responses, anyone?
3 Comments
3 responses so far ↓
John, poignant question to pose; and one I have been dealing with myself as I come to greater understanding of our sin nature and depravity. One thought I wrestle with is the instillation of ‘objective moral values’ through the medium of culture and society. If I am born depraved, and there is no good in me without the redemption of Christ, how is it possible that I know of such a thing as good and objective absolutes? How do I learn of these values? How do others who haven’t met with Christ’s redemption learn of them? If we cannot get very far by reasoning from Scripture (special revelation) to the fact of moral objectivity, how can we get any farther with general revelation? Yes, God works himself and shows himself (goodness) in and through his creation, but my question is this…
How can the law of God ‘written on our hearts’ coexist with depravity?
As I search the scriptures I find posts such as yours thought-provoking and encouraging. Thanks for your work.
Not that I have all the answers, Parker, but remember that the law written on our hearts is sufficient to give us a conscience and thus can convict us, but the law is impotent to inspire to new life. This is true regarding eternal life as well as the way in which an architect is suddenly inspired to draw up plans for his career’s defining work. We find it impossible to self-inspire…something that transcends must move our hearts and minds to a new way of thinking and acting.
Keep the comments coming!
Interesting comment that girl said…
I agree somewhat. Society CAN help us develop if we are absolutely messed up. Even the psychopaths and sociopaths in the world can look at how society works, and through that they are without excuse. (although no men are without excuse) However, i would argue they do have a conscious that does influence them. But i would say their greatest desire wins out- in their cases, to do brutal things… but who is to say that they don’t KNOW it’s wrong, however, still decide to do it. This is a good example of being a slave to sin…
Keep up the blogs! I enjoy reading them!!