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Ethics

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'''Ethics''' is the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition. Ethics as a separate discipline cannot be distinguished in the tradition of the Church. In recent times, however, the dialogue between Orthodoxy and the modern world has led to several works on ethics by Orthodox theologians such as Fr. [[Stanley S. Harakas|Stanley Harakas]], Georgios Mantzarides, [[Christos Yannaras]], and [[Vigen Guroian]]. They approach Orthodox ethics from the perspective that ethical issues are addressed throughout the life of the Church. [[Scripture]], [[worship]], [[patristics|patristic]] writings, and [[Canon LawCanons (law)|canon law]] are examples of loci of ethical teaching in the life of the Orthodox Church.
The Orthodox approach to ethics is [[Soteriology|soteriological]], i.e., ethics is understood from the perspective that salvation is the ultimate goal of man. Since in the Orthodox understanding salvation is intrinsically connected with [[Christology]] and the doctrine of the [[Trinity]], the starting point of an Orthodox approach to ethics is the Trinitarian God. It is in God and in the relationships among the persons of the Holy Trinity that we find our goals as human beings, as individual human beings and members of a community, e.g., family, church, society.
Patristic examples of ethical exhortations abound. St. [[John Chrysostom]] concludes most of his [[homily|homilies]] with such considerations. For example, ''Homily 22'' on the [[Gospel]] of St. [[Apostle John|John]] says, "it is impossible, though we perform ten thousand other good deeds, to enter the portals of the Kingdom without alms-doing." In ''Homily 60'' he concludes, "Considering all these things, and how much good we shall work both to those within the prison, and to ourselves, by being continually mixed up with them, let us there spend the time we used to spend in the market-place." St. Basil, in his ''Letter 42'', to Chilo, his [[disciple]], gives this advice: "Among all, with whom you come in contact, be in all things a giver of no offence, cheerful, 'loving as a brother,' pleasant, humble-minded, never missing the mark of hospitality through extravagance of meats, but always content with what is at hand." These are only examples of the teachings which can be found in the writings of the [[saint]]s, both in the early years of the Church and in our times.
==Ethics in [[Canon Law]]==
Canon law also shows a number of examples for [[clergy]] and [[laity]] alike. The apostolic canon number 27 says, "If a [[bishop]], [[presbyter]], or [[deacon]] shall strike any of the faithful who have sinned, or of the unbelievers who have done wrong, with the intention of frightening them, we command that he be deposed. For our Lord has by no means taught us to do so, but, on the contrary, when he was smitten he smote not again, when he was reviled he reviled not again, when he suffered he threatened not." Canons 42 and 43 show that the expectations made of the clergy are not different from those of the laity. Thus, canon 42 reads: "If a bishop or presbyter, or deacon, is addicted to dice or drinking, let him either give it over, or be deposed." This is followed immediately by, "If a [[subdeacon]], [[reader]], or [[cantor|singer]] commits the same things, let him either give over, or be [[excommunication|excommunicated]]. So also laymen." Many other indications about the Christian way of life can be found in the canons of the Church.
*[[Cloning]]
*[[Contraception]]
*[[Cosmetic Surgery]]
*[[Cryogenics]]
*[[Embryo adoption]]
*[[Environmental ethics]]
*[[Euthanasia]]
*[[Female Feticide]]
*[[Genetic engineering]]
*[[Homosexuality]]
*[[Just war]]
*[[Internet and cyber-space]]
*[[Life support]]
*[[Marriage]]
*[[Natural family planning]]
*[[Organ donation]]
*[[Orthodox Christianity and the Internet]]
*[[Orthodox Living]]
*[[Pain medication]]
*[[Political ethics]]
*[[Recreational drug use]]
*[[Sex]]
*[[Social Ethical Models]]
*[[Stem cell research]]
*[[Surrogacy]]
*[[Torture]]
*[[Usury]]
==Books on Orthodox Ethics==
*[[John Breck]], ''The Sacred Gift of Life: Orthodox Christianity and Bioethics'' (1999) ISBN 978-0881411836
*John Breck, ''Stages on Life's Way: Orthodox Thinking on Bioethics'', with Lynn Breck (2006). ISBN 978-0881412994
*[[H. Tristram Engelhardt]], Jr., ''The Foundations of Christian Bioethics'' (2000) ISBN 902651557X  *Vigen Guroian, ''Notes Toward an Eastern Orthodox Ethic.'' '''The Journal of Religious Ethics.''' Vol. 9, No. 2 (Fall, 1981), pp. 228-244.*Vigen Guroian, ''Seeing Worship as Ethics: An Orthodox Perspective.'' '''The Journal of Religious Ethics.''' Vol. 13, No. 2 (Fall, 1985), pp. 332-359.*Vigen Guroian, ''Life's Living Toward Dying: A Theological and Medical-Ethical Study'' (1996). ISBN 978-0802841902*Vigen Guroian, ''Incarnate Love: Essays in Orthodox Ethics'', 2nd revised and expanded edition (2002). ISBN 978-0268031695*Vigen Guroian, ''Ethics after Christendom: Toward an Ecclesial Christian Ethics'' (2006). ISBN 978-1592447671 *Stanley Harakas, ''Contemporary Moral Issues Facing the Orthodox Christian'' (1982). ISBN 978-0937032244*Stanley Harakas, ''For the Health of Body and Soul: An Eastern Orthodox Introduction to Bioethics'' (1983). ISBN 978-0916586423*Stanley Harakas, ''Let Mercy Abound: Social Concern in the Greek Orthodox Church'' (1994). ISBN 978-0916586614*Stanley Harakas, ''Living the Faith: The'' Praxis ''of Eastern Orthodox Ethics'' (1993). ISBN 978-0937032923*Stanley Harakas, ''Toward Transfigured Life: The'' Theoria ''of Eastern Orthodox Ethics'' (1983). ISBN 978-0937032282*Stanley Harakas, ''Wholeness of Faith and Life: Eastern Orthodox Ethics''. Vol. 1: Patristic Ethics ISBN 978-1885652263. Vol. 2: Church Life Ethics (2004) ISBN 978-1885652294. Vol. 3: Orthodox Social Ethics (2004) ISBN 978-1885652300*Christos Yannaras, ''The Freedom of Morality'' (1984). ISBN 0881410284 ==Books on Orthodox EthicsSee also=={{stub}}*[[Virtues]]*[[Pro-life Ethic]]
[[Category:Bioethics]]
[[Category:Ethics]]
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