Ethics and decision making

Ethics and Ethics and decision makingdecision making

Revd Margot R HodsonRevd Margot R Hodson

Chaplain, Jesus College, OxfordChaplain, Jesus College, Oxford

The process of decision-making

Outlining Proposals for the future management of the Severn

(Barrage proposal)

Analysing all the different factors that are relevant to the Barrage etc. Gathering and interpreting

data.

Ethical stage: selecting and applying an ethical

approach

Making practical recommendations

for a response

From world view to actionsFrom world view to actions- the need for a model- the need for a model

• Understanding your underlying Understanding your underlying assumptions upon which you assumptions upon which you make decisionsmake decisions

• Appreciating how these work in Appreciating how these work in different cultures, religions and different cultures, religions and ethical systemsethical systems

• Making informed decisionsMaking informed decisions

Ethical views of ultimate value• Anthropocentric

Decisions taken for the benefit of humans

• BiocentricDecisions taken for the benefit of each individual organism

• EcocentricDecisions taken for the benefit of the whole ecosystem

• Christian StewardshipDecisions taken through trying to balance

human concerns with that of the whole

ecosystem – for the Glory of God (not benefit)

Two Types of Ethic

• Consequential ethicsWhat results in the greatest good?

• Deontological ethicsWhat is inherently true?Duty based ethicsRight action regardless of results

Ethical model

u

Values and virtues

Laws and precepts

World View:Core Truth

Real situations and decisions

After Maddox, 2006

Christocentric environmental ethics

Industrialisation Jesus .

Colossians 1:15-17

God

People Cosmos

Intrinsic value of nature - made for his glory

Humans bearing God’s image

Humans responsible to ‘till and keep’ creation

God’s redemptive love for his whole creation

Preaching the Kingdom: a holistic approach

Measures to protect and sustain nature

Meeting human need, and challenging injustice

Measures to balance needs for the good of all

Climate change

Population

Biodiversityloss

Industrialisation

Globalisation

Poverty

Soil Erosion

Secularism/unbelief

Ethical model

u

Values and virtues

Laws and precepts

World View:Core Truth

Real situations and decisions

After Maddox, 2006

Severn Barrage Proposal

Smaller scale proposals

Barrage with marinas

Workshop task1. Decide on a wording for your core truth2. Brainstorm the situations that need considering and

outline decisions to be taken (outer circle)3. Brainstorm the values that your core truth

generates that may be of relevance to the decisions4. Try to work out some precepts that will direct your

decision making5. Does your model now show a definite way

forward? If not what are the possible recommendations from this ethical standpoint and what are the costs/benefits of each?

ReflectionReflectionEnvironmental Decision making:Environmental Decision making:

Does theology help?Does theology help?

For Christians

• Importance of understanding our world view and biblical values

• Using these to inform our decisions

• Accepting that many complex situations are not easy to resolve.

The Christian contribution to environmental decision making

• Stewardship ethic gives a synthesis between anthropocentric and ecocentric appraoches

• Christians comfortable with the world of values – strength in ethics

• Christians (hopefully) willing to make sacrifices and willing to put God and his world before themselves.

Meditation The Greatest Commandment

Mark 12:28-34

He answered: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbour as yourself.’ ”

Who is our Who is our neighbour in 2007?neighbour in 2007?

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7Philippians 4:4-7