This short course is structured to introduce students to the main approaches to ethics. It explains why we do ethics, and that all ethics reflect some theological foundations. How Christian ethics is distinctive from other common ethical theories. This will help students choose well and live well.
Course Overview
This short course is structured to introduce students to the main approaches to ethics. It explains why we do ethics, and that all ethics reflect some theological foundations. How Christian ethics is distinctive from other common ethical theories. This will help students choose well and live well.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a greater insight into why studying ethics is important.
- Demonstrate an introductory understanding of what the main ethical theories and frameworks are.
- Outline some of the core questions behind ethics, and how ethics relates to a person’s worldview.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between ethics and morality, and how both relate to agency and moral responsibility.
- Explain how different sources for ethics relate to a person’s ethics including the relationship between theology and ethics.
- Describe their own ethics in relation to Christian ethics.
Topic 1: The Importance of Ethics
Topic 2: Introducing the Key Ethical Frameworks
In this topic you will be introduced to the main ethical frameworks through analogies and intricate concepts, such as the ‘tram problem’, which will challenge your thinking and allow you to reconceptualise the way you engage with ethical frameworks in life.
Topic 3: Defining Key Ethical Frameworks
In this topic we will consider some key definitions of ethical terms, while uncovering how ethics relates to a person’s worldview.
Topic 4: Ethics, Morality and Agency
Ready to dive deeper into the foundations of ethics? In this topic, we will explore some key elements that shape someone’s moral evaluation. We will also unpack ways of thinking critically about right and wrong.
Topic 5: The Source of Ethics
We’ll dive into the major ethical theories that shape how we think about right and wrong. Explore the exciting world of philosophy and uncover big concepts that guide our morals and affect our decision-making process.
Topic 6: The Reconsidering the Key Ethical Frameworks
In this final section, Dr. Buchanan dives deep into the core of ethical theory, unravelling its many complexities. He highlights the intricate challenges of doing ethics, shedding light on the delicate balance between relevance and compromise. His analysis not only reveals the tension at the heart of moral decision-making but also provokes thought about the real-world implications of these ethical dilemmas.
Grant came to Australia to take a position as Creative Ministries and Small Groups Pastor in an ACC church in Melbourne's SE. From 2006 he taught at Harvest Bible College, joining the team in 2010 as the Head of VET. In 2015 he took on the role as Dean of Learning and Teaching, teaching in Bible, Ministry and Theology. He is currently the Head of Theology with the School of Ministry and Theology at AUC, where he teaches theology and biblical Studies, as well as Professional Supervision in the School of Health and Human Sciences. Grant completed his PhD in 2021 at the University of Divinity in Melbourne. His topic explored a pneumatological reading of the New Creation motif in Galatians, and how this impacts Christian identity. He recently completed his Master of Counselling and a Graduate Certificate in Professional Supervision. Apart from his academic role and teaching, he also worked in school chaplaincy and runs a private counselling and professional supervision business. He is active as an itinerant speaker, and is part of the community at Aspire Church, Hampton Park. Grant is a member of the Biblical Studies research cluster.