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The contingency argument
Some arguments infer an ultimate explanation of contingent reality.
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Questions about scriptural context
How might the context of a passage influence its interpretation?
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Paraphrase versus direct quotation
A paraphrase summarizes a source in our words, a quotation reproduces the source text.
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Ask clarifying questions first
Before responding, ask what the other person means by a key term or claim.
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What makes an action morally right?
One central question of ethics is what makes an action right or wrong.
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Judging actions by consequences
Consequentialist theories give a central role to the outcomes of actions.
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Judging actions by duties
Deontological approaches emphasize duties, principles, or rules rather than outcomes alone.
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Character and virtue
Virtue ethics emphasizes the cultivation of good character and virtues.