In Good Faith

In Good Faith is a podcast where two friends talk about society and culture through a Christian lens and in good faith. We seek to approach everything with charity and curiosity, and aim to help our listeners do the same. Presented by Chong Shao and Daniel Shih.

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In Good Faith

16: Mo Morals Mo Problems

February 12, 2021 • Chong Shao, Daniel Shih

On today’s show, Chong and Dan start by explaining our absence (there’s a good reason!) and sharing our resolutions for 2021. We then get into the realm of philosophy by exploring how one can resolve moral dilemmas. After a quick visit to the Enlightenment, we explore two well-known approaches to moral thinking, utilitarianism and deontological ethics. Finally, we apply them to a case study involving COVID-19 vaccines. How do they help us to think through the issues, what are their weaknesses, and what does Christianity have to say about moral dilemmas?

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Show notes

2021 resolutions (02:10)

The Wisdom Pyramid

Flossing

Morality and the Da Vinci Problem (5:55)

Da Vinci the Renaissance man… and grave robber
Concept of moral distance

Moral dilemmas (10:09)

A situation when two or more moral principles are (seemingly) at odds
Examples: “Does my butt look big in this?”, the Trolley problem, Twitter and Facebook banning Trump

Trolley problem - Wikipedia

Dan presents: The Enlightenment (19:59)

Enlightenment TL;DR - reason and science
Observing and classifying the natural world, bringing this to the moral world

Utilitarianism (aka consequentialism) (28:33)

Whatever action that will maximise human happiness is the ethical one
Examples and problems - The Organ Donor

Consequentialism

Deontological ethics (40:06)

Whatever you do, only live by the rules which can be expanded to become universal laws
Examples and problems - The Nazi at the Door

Deontological Ethics

Case study: COVID-19 vaccines (46:15)

Leading vaccines were made with the assistance of cell lines original obtained from aborted human foetuses
What moral principles should guide our attitude and actions?

The Covid Vaccine And Abortion Pt1 - When Good And Evil Intertwine

The Covid Vaccine And Abortion Pt 2 - Guiding Attitudes And Defining The Problem

The Covid Vaccine And Abortion Pt 3 - Guiding Attitudes And Defining The Problem

The Christian perspective (57:52)

Our world is broken, which gives rise to both moral dilemmas and imperfect solutions (Ecclesiastes 8:14, Job 14:1-2)
Christians nevertheless have a positive duty to act out of costly, self-giving love (Colossians 3:17)
Everything is under God’s control and the brokenness in the world will one day be redeemed and restored (Revelation 21:1-14)

Conclusion (1:02:49)

The Christian worldview is sober-minded about the challenge of moral dilemmas
Nevertheless, we must wrestle with moral dilemmas and live as best we can under God’s rule