Theological and Philosophical Ethics

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to give an analysis of the relationship between theological and philosophical ethics. A main thesis is that these two academic disciplines are complementary. As a part of religious studies theological ethics has a different object of its study than moral philosophy. Its main task is to study the relationship between ethical models and religious traditions. Christian ethics, as critical reflection on morality within Christian tradition, can relate to moral philosophy in different ways. The author argues against a contrast theory, according to which the content of Christian ethics is completely different from ethical models in moral philosophy. He also argues against an identity theory, according to which Christian ethics does not have any particular contribution to the content of ethics. Instead he argues that we should prefer a combination theory. According to this theory, Christian ethics can relate to moral philosophy, but it can also give its own perspectives upon the interpretation of basic moral principles and values.