In the first two chapters of the textbook “A Practical Companion to Ethics” written by Anthony Weston the author places a strong amount of concentration on the relationship between ethics and religion. Weston wants the reader to understand that although religion has guided us into what we view as morally right it is not the end all decision. Ethics is a rather difficult topic as humankind is constantly evolving and changing, and people often develop rather strong opinions on what is considered to be “right”. It is always possible to be virtuous without religion, however not without set morals or rules.
During the Module 1 selection of the book Weston provides lots of clear evidence as to why ethics should not and does not require a religious backing. Weston clearly shows this opinion by quoting many moral rules stated in Leviticus. Using two of these commandments Weston develops his argument, he quotes “11:7: You shall not eat the swine; it is unclean to you” and “20:13: If a man lies with a man as with a woman, it is an abomination” …show more content…
According to the world fact book anywhere from 2% to 13% of the global population identify as atheist. If it was impossible to be virtuous without religion there would be a heavy amount of unethical atheists in the world, but that is in fact not the case. Not only that but many Christian beliefs like the two stated by weston may not be ethical themselves and those words came directly from the bible. To see what is virtuous and live a virtuous lifestyle one must be educated but willing to learn more. To be virtuous without religion, or even with, is to fill yourself with knowledge of many religions and form opinions of what you believe to be moral. With those educated opinions one must seek conversation and learn from others in order to determine what as a society we believe to be
During the Module 1 selection of the book Weston provides lots of clear evidence as to why ethics should not and does not require a religious backing. Weston clearly shows this opinion by quoting many moral rules stated in Leviticus. Using two of these commandments Weston develops his argument, he quotes “11:7: You shall not eat the swine; it is unclean to you” and “20:13: If a man lies with a man as with a woman, it is an abomination” …show more content…
According to the world fact book anywhere from 2% to 13% of the global population identify as atheist. If it was impossible to be virtuous without religion there would be a heavy amount of unethical atheists in the world, but that is in fact not the case. Not only that but many Christian beliefs like the two stated by weston may not be ethical themselves and those words came directly from the bible. To see what is virtuous and live a virtuous lifestyle one must be educated but willing to learn more. To be virtuous without religion, or even with, is to fill yourself with knowledge of many religions and form opinions of what you believe to be moral. With those educated opinions one must seek conversation and learn from others in order to determine what as a society we believe to be