GENE 250 Week 7 Discussion

GENE 250 Week 7 Discussion | regent-university

When considering the circumstances, it would be quite easy to justify to most that the right thing to do in this situation would be to make the adjustment and serve the people in need versus supporting the client's dog. We are given the example by Grudem that '76 percent said it is OK to lie sometimes' (310), so finding people to agree that you are justified does not seem as though it would be difficult. Justifying it oneself or to society today may initially be easy, but is it morally sound? 

We understand from Augustine's explanation that this would fall under the 'seventh type of lie which not only hurts no one, it also benefits a group of people' (8), but this also makes it clear that it is still a lie nonetheless. Instead, in order to fulfill moral law and keep in good character, I believe we could take a different approach to the situation. The client's dog would still need to be loved and cared for. Who better to love and care for the dog, than those who also need love and care! Finding someone who already has strong ties to the community and who has already been helping those in need would likely be more than happy to take on the responsibility of caring for the dog while also being able to justify putting the resources left by the client to good use, continuing to serve God's purpose and keeping with God's true character. With this approach, we are not only keeping the client's wishes by ensuring that the resources left behind are being used to ensure the wellbeing of the dog, but also not altering the will in a way that is deceitful and manipulative.

Grudem, W. (2018). Christian ethics: An introduction to biblical moral reasoning. Crossway.

Augustine, Translated by John W. Bauer (2020). Excerpts from Augustine, On Lying.