The ethics of homicide : a contextual critique of the sanctity-of-life principle with particular reference to abortion and revolutionary violence

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dc.contributor.advisorVilla-Vicencio, Charlesen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorShapiro, Ivoren_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2015-12-20T15:40:28Z
dc.date.available2015-12-20T15:40:28Z
dc.date.issued1987en_ZA
dc.descriptionBibliography: pages 299-306.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractSociety never absolutely prohibits homicide: there are "grey areas" in which it is sometimes tolerated or even encouraged. Moral discussion of each area is usually carried on in isolation from the others, and perhaps for this reason, frequently ignores or underestimates the complexities of the morality of killing. This thesis attempts to identify a general method for analysing such issues, so that they can enrich one another. A contemporary theological survey indicates that there should be a balance in Christian ethical method between the polar values of obedience in respect of general standards, and freedom to exercise individual responsibility. This implies recognising a place for intuitions, and specifying a way in which these can be subjected to criticism. In contrast, the Sanctity-of-Life Principle seeks to impose a universal prohibition on the killing of "innocent" human beings. While the Principle provides a useful general guideline, it is deficient as a moral norm - partly because of fatal difficulties associated with the concept of innocence. The method adopted in this thesis is that suggested by Philip Wagaman: methodological presumptions are identified and then tested in a utilitarian way. For the ethics of homicide, I propose a primary presumption favouring the preservation of life, and various secondary and linguistic presumptions. The contextual framework of the thesis is limited to two specific issues - abortion and revolutionary violence.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationShapiro, I. (1987). <i>The ethics of homicide : a contextual critique of the sanctity-of-life principle with particular reference to abortion and revolutionary violence</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Religious Studies. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15879en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationShapiro, Ivor. <i>"The ethics of homicide : a contextual critique of the sanctity-of-life principle with particular reference to abortion and revolutionary violence."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Religious Studies, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15879en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationShapiro, I. 1987. The ethics of homicide : a contextual critique of the sanctity-of-life principle with particular reference to abortion and revolutionary violence. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Shapiro, Ivor AB - Society never absolutely prohibits homicide: there are "grey areas" in which it is sometimes tolerated or even encouraged. Moral discussion of each area is usually carried on in isolation from the others, and perhaps for this reason, frequently ignores or underestimates the complexities of the morality of killing. This thesis attempts to identify a general method for analysing such issues, so that they can enrich one another. A contemporary theological survey indicates that there should be a balance in Christian ethical method between the polar values of obedience in respect of general standards, and freedom to exercise individual responsibility. This implies recognising a place for intuitions, and specifying a way in which these can be subjected to criticism. In contrast, the Sanctity-of-Life Principle seeks to impose a universal prohibition on the killing of "innocent" human beings. While the Principle provides a useful general guideline, it is deficient as a moral norm - partly because of fatal difficulties associated with the concept of innocence. The method adopted in this thesis is that suggested by Philip Wagaman: methodological presumptions are identified and then tested in a utilitarian way. For the ethics of homicide, I propose a primary presumption favouring the preservation of life, and various secondary and linguistic presumptions. The contextual framework of the thesis is limited to two specific issues - abortion and revolutionary violence. DA - 1987 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 1987 T1 - The ethics of homicide : a contextual critique of the sanctity-of-life principle with particular reference to abortion and revolutionary violence TI - The ethics of homicide : a contextual critique of the sanctity-of-life principle with particular reference to abortion and revolutionary violence UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15879 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/15879
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationShapiro I. The ethics of homicide : a contextual critique of the sanctity-of-life principle with particular reference to abortion and revolutionary violence. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Religious Studies, 1987 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15879en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Religious Studiesen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Humanitiesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherReligious Studiesen_ZA
dc.subject.otherHomicide - Moral and ethical aspectsen_ZA
dc.subject.otherChristian ethicsen_ZA
dc.titleThe ethics of homicide : a contextual critique of the sanctity-of-life principle with particular reference to abortion and revolutionary violenceen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMAen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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