ETH 230: Ethical Dilemmas in Islamic Contexts is a profound 14-week journey into the complexities of moral decision-making within the Islamic tradition. This course delves into the intricate processes of Islamic ethical reasoning (fiqh) when faced with contemporary dilemmas, ranging from medical ethics to environmental challenges, financial decisions, and social justice issues. Students will engage with case studies, classical juristic discourse, and modern scholarly debates to understand how Islamic jurisprudence navigates through ethical conundrums, balancing between textual imperatives and the changing demands of context.
Overall Objectives:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the principles and methodologies used in Islamic ethical reasoning.
- Apply the concepts of Maqasid al-Shariah (objectives of Islamic law) to various ethical dilemmas.
- Analyze the interplay between Islamic legal maxims and ethical decision-making.
- Evaluate the responses of classical and contemporary Muslim scholars to modern ethical issues.
- Assess the role of Ijtihad (independent reasoning) and its significance in ethical deliberations.
- Discuss the ethical dimensions of emerging technologies and biomedical advances through an Islamic lens.
- Explore the ethical considerations in economic transactions and financial dealings in Islam.
- Investigate the moral imperatives of environmental stewardship within the Islamic worldview.
- Examine the challenges of upholding ethical standards in pluralistic societies.
- Synthesize Islamic ethical teachings to develop coherent responses to moral dilemmas in various fields.
Curriculum
- 14 Sections
- 0 Lessons
- 14 Weeks
Expand all sectionsCollapse all sections
- Week 1: Introduction to Islamic Ethical Reasoning – The foundational principles and sources.0
- Week 2: Maqasid al-Shariah in Ethical Deliberation – The higher objectives of Islamic law as a framework for ethics.0
- Week 3: Navigating Modern Biomedical Ethics – Islamic perspectives on contemporary medical challenges.0
- Week 4: Economic Ethics and Islamic Finance – Addressing ethical dilemmas in financial practices.0
- Week 5: Environmental Ethics – Islamic teachings on the stewardship of nature and resources.0
- Week 6: Gender and Ethics – Exploring gender-related ethical discussions within Islamic jurisprudence.0
- Week 7: Ethical Decision-Making in Family Life – Family dynamics, marriage, and parenting through an ethical lens.0
- Week 8: Technology and Ethics – Evaluating the moral implications of technological advances.0
- Week 9: Social Justice and Islamic Ethics – The pursuit of equity and fairness in society.0
- Week 10: Ethical Dilemmas in Warfare and Peacebuilding – Understanding the ethical parameters of conflict in Islam.0
- Week 11: Ethics of Diversity and Pluralism – Muslim responses to the ethical challenges in a pluralistic world.0
- Week 12: Ijtihad and Its Application in Modern Ethical Issues – The role of independent reasoning in contemporary dilemmas.0
- Week 13: Islamic Legal Maxims and Ethical Reasoning – Utilizing legal maxims to resolve moral questions.0
- Week 14: Integrative Approaches to Ethical Dilemmas – Employing a multidimensional approach to contemporary ethical issues.0
