Introduction
The comparison between Christian and metaethics theory is very appropriate to discuss, especially during the learning and growing stage of life. As Christians, I believe we have to set specific standards that will be decided if a conducted code of ethics is wrong or correct towards representing the life of Jesus Christ who died for our sins. Many discussions of ethics can be argued, but, in my opinion, I feel natural law ethics and duty ethics are more satisfying than the words that were provided to us by the Lord. Both ethics are compared to what the Lord anticipates of us to facilitate peace among every creature created on earth. To state my issue in applied ethics, I believe Christians were provided with a scripture that will enhance their behaviors and prevent them from going against their excellent moral values to avoid corporal punishment. Therefore, this paper aims to address the differences of duty ethics and natural law ethics as metaethical concerns compared to Christian ethical theory but defending duty ethics as the strongest moral value.
Metaethical Theory
Natural law ethics is an aspect that aims to lead us on the right path of moral principles stating that human beings are guided by essential values that are a direct reflection of their reasoning. On the one hand, in the perception of the law, the right and wrong rules are inherent in individuals and are not formed by a court of laws or societies. On the other hand, duty ethics provide teachings on differentiating the wrong and good and the motive of adhering to them as a duty regardless of end consequences that may occur. Both the ethical concerns tend to be more similar since they portray that there are both right and wrong in the Christianity world. According to moral examiners, both ideologies are vital aspects of defining the decisions that guide Christians’ lives even if they are not tangible (D’Anjou 2017). However, duty ethics is based on what an individual wants to do in reflection of their growth, while natural ethics happen regarding personal perception or inherited genes.
The metaethical philosophies are in direct disagreement with the Christian ethical concept, which relates to a personal stage. Being the youngest of 7 children, I was able to see that no matter what is inherited, people will take their path. My thought is based on the progress that facilitates a person living their own life determined by what they are more pleased in doing rather than making the correct decisions during their growth. In my age group, most peers are focused on living in the moment and not thinking of the future, leading to them engaging in practices that promote punishments for wrong acts performed. Though I believe it is more important for people to decide what they want to do with their lives, I doubt if they should put less effort into acknowledging the difference between what is right or wrong.
Furthermore, if the individuals would connect the right deeds with happiness provided to them by the creator, they would focus on acting on his path. Therefore, both natural and ethic will continue to be destructive if not perceived in the required manner since it is the responsibility of every individual to decide the cause and results of their actions (Jeffrey 2011). Moreover, someone who is more focused on living his life guided by duty ethics is more likely to distinguish what is required of him more than a person who has limited his personality to Christianity ethics and natural law ethics.
The argument is based on how I was brought up since I learned the difference between what is wrong and right at a very young age. I managed to distinguish what is expected of me by seeing my parents’ reactions towards the decision my elder brothers took. Therefore I was able to avoid several mistakes which my elders could not. In addition, some ideas I learned from the path people close to my family decided to choose regardless of the future consequences of the wrong actions they settled.
More so, if humans aim to decide what is right or wrong depending on what satisfies their desires, we will be taking the wrong path. In Christianity, the scriptures try to direct us, such as in Romans 12:2, which states that any creation of God should not be confirmed by the desires of the earth but be guided by the duties of our mind. The message is important to linking duty ethics as a powerful strategy of guiding everyone of what is expected to be right or wrong.
Application
Application of metaethical and Christian values occurs in every stage of our life as we are growing. Some people engage in bad acts knowingly, while others follow the right path expected of them by society. Furthermore, I believe it is the mandate of every person to decide what is good and bad for him and deciding if it is the best characteristics that will give them freedom without harming the people around them.
According to Christian morals, most people know what is expected of them, but they still chose a different path that leads to the consequences of capital punishment. The ignorance is because most individuals find it hard to follow the holy life that Jesus lived on earth (D’Anjou 2017). The teachings guided Christians on how to lead a perfect life deprived of the world’s unwanted desires. However, in the current world filled with continual grabs and social media, individuals have defied the odds and ended up in the consequences of capital punishment that comprise conviction due to their criminal offenses (Jeffrey 2011). In my opinion, I believe that everyone possesses the ability to avoid such circumstances through following the teachings of Christianity that states sinning is part of human nature but can be avoided.
However, some Christians are contrary to the idea of forgiving wrongdoers claiming they should be subjected to punishment so that order can prevail in society. Punishment should not be the idea, but promoting the importance of following what is required to us by God should be the trend since it is believed every sin committed is because of the temptations brought upon us by Satan (Jeffrey 2011). Suppose we decide to adhere to the teaching of the Lord. In that case, we can get vital knowledge from his scriptures that will help us shape our perceptions towards the world’s desires, hence avoiding the regular failures and distractions that we might encounter in our everyday life.
The Christian ethical theory provides a base for guiding an individual on what is expected of them without forcing them. The freedom in the philosophy compared to metaethical theories is that the Lord provides everyone with equal right to decide what is good for them; hence everyone is responsible for deciding what is good or wrong. The permission and freedom were given to us by God also come with consequences for those who decide to choose the wrong path (D’Anjou 2017). For instance, when I am not feeling the essence of biblical wisdom, I tend to focus on duty ethics which encourages me spiritually to see the necessity of protecting my life since God gave his only begotten son to suffer on the cross for my sins.
In my metaethical section, I contrasted duty ethical and natural law ethical, which supports the Christianity ethical point of view in regards to avoiding punishments that come as a result of sinning. In addition, when Christians in the Bible as duty ethical, it brings much confidence and good morals in their lives and avoids criminal cases that may initiate some forms of punishment. Moreover, Christians need to learn the act of forgiveness. According to the scriptures, all human beings’ nature to make mistakes only that it happens at different times, making other individuals feel that they are perfect than others.
Alternatively, the argument portrayed by other Christians that convicting offenders for the sins committed is not a good notion, in my opinion. The notion is a dangerous strategy of approaching and solving offenses since it does not have a stable foundation (Elders 2019). Their argument should be based on a spiritual context that will determine the offense of a person depending on how perfect they are and how they would like to be treated when they make similar mistakes.
Furthermore, Christians’ argument to capital punishment in the modern world moves in the direction of an extreme relativistic attitude. People only believe in the truth without thinking that truth can be altered by false information, creating confusion on what is right or wrong. However, in such a scenario, it is important to turn to God to find the right path before coming up with any judgment of punishing a suspect who might be innocent than the person they believe is telling the truth. There is a big variation between absolute and moral truth, which cannot be altered depending on the criminal events performed (Elders 2019). Hence, when we decide to rely on the Lord’s guidance in differentiating the two types of truth, we tend to have more opportunities to conclude what is best for the person being convicted.
According to James 1:2, it states that the Lord gives us wisdom by teaching his children to seek guidance from him whenever they face trials since it is an aspect that is there to test the perseverance of faith. The scripture tries to explain to Christian that they should avoid making rapid decisions before seeking his words for better wisdom. However, it does not limit us on what we should decide but also insists on giving Christians the consequences of not adhering to his words.
My Stand
Therefore, my strongest theory is duty ethics since it is more practical than just a philosophy. For example, my objective was to find my path focused on doing the correct thing when growing up. In a situation where if I felt am not comfortable with taking an action that I avoided it. Growing up around my parents and elder brothers, I believe I gathered enough knowledge that defines my personality of identifying the difference between what is good or wrong.
Duty ethics is also practical to the spiritual life of Christians since it is evident through stating how valuable every individual is. Hence, they should not be judged and convicted by the act of capital punishment. Moreover, inasmuch there is a need to maintain peace and order in society, it should not be performed by terminating other people’s lives. Various measures can be practiced as ethics of duty by coming up with new solutions of convicting the perpetrators, such as giving them a long term in jail to reform.
Conclusion
In summary, the paper provides a comparison of Christian ethical theory and metaethical theories and their application. Besides, it also supports duty ethic as the strongest in the Christianity, personal, and philosophical perception. Therefore, if anyone wishes to choose the difference between what is right and wrong, it is their mandate to decide what is best for them and consider the consequences of their decision. When we follow what God expects from us while considering the importance of our life in society, we will avoid making decisions that are not of significance in our daily lives. Moreover, possessing ethics in life is a good characteristic, whether it is spiritual or metaethical. However, in every situation, there is always one aspect that emerges to be the strongest and, for it, duty ethical since it is more of practice than just a theory.
References
D’Anjou, Philippe. 2017. Design Ethics beyond Duty and Virtue. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Elders, Leo J. 2019. The ethics of St. Thomas Aquinas: Happiness, natural law, and the virtues. Catholic University of America Press.
Jeffrey, D. L. (2011). The King James Bible and the World it made. Baylor University Press.