Harm is invoked everywhere from cybersecurity, ethics, risk analysis, to adversarial AI, yet there exists no systematic or agreed upon list of harms, and the concept itself is rarely defined with the precision required for serious analysis. Current discourse relies on vague, under specified notions of harm, rendering nuanced, structured, and qualitative assessment effectively impossible. This paper challenges that gap directly. We introduce a structured and expandable taxonomy of harms, grounded in an ensemble of contemporary ethical theories, that makes harm explicit, enumerable, and analytically tractable. The proposed framework identifies 66+ distinct harm types, systematically organized into two overarching domains human and nonhuman, and eleven major categories, each explicitly aligned with eleven dominant ethical theories. While extensible by design, the upper levels are intentionally stable. Beyond classification, we introduce a theory-aware taxonomy of victim entities and formalize normative harm attributes, including reversibility and duration that materially alter ethical severity. Together, these contributions transform harm from a rhetorical placeholder into an operational object of analysis, enabling rigorous ethical reasoning and long term safety evaluation of AI systems and other sociotechnical domains where harm is a first order concern.
Joshua Hatherley, Anders Søgaard, Angela Ballantyne
et al.
Federated learning (FL) is a machine learning approach that allows multiple devices or institutions to collaboratively train a model without sharing their local data with a third-party. FL is considered a promising way to address patient privacy concerns in medical artificial intelligence. The ethical risks of medical FL systems themselves, however, have thus far been underexamined. This paper aims to address this gap. We argue that medical FL presents a new variety of opacity -- federation opacity -- that, in turn, generates a distinctive double black box problem in healthcare AI. We highlight several instances in which the anticipated benefits of medical FL may be exaggerated, and conclude by highlighting key challenges that must be overcome to make FL ethically feasible in medicine.
This study investigates the public understanding and practical realization of post-divorce rights for ex-wives and children in Bantaeng Regency, where 379 divorce cases were recorded in 2022. Despite clear legal provisions, many of these rights remain unfulfilled, reflecting a gap between legal rulings and social implementation. The purpose of this research is to examine how the local community perceives and practices the fulfillment of these rights in light of Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah, the higher objectives of Islamic law. This study investigates the public understanding and practical realization of post-divorce rights for ex-wives and children in Bantaeng Regency, where 379 divorce cases were recorded in 2022. Despite clear legal provisions, many of these rights remain unfulfilled, reflecting a gap between legal rulings and social implementation. The purpose of this research is to examine how the local community perceives and practices the fulfillment of these rights in light of Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah, the higher objectives of Islamic law. The findings reveal a significant disconnect between legal provisions and societal behavior. Although the Bantaeng Religious Court implements Supreme Court Circular (SEMA) No. 1 of 2017, which mandates the inclusion of post-divorce obligations (e.g., maintenance of iddah, mut'ah, and child support) in court verdicts, enforcement remains weak. When fathers neglect their responsibilities, mothers are often unaware of their right to request legal execution of these obligations. This research contributes original insights into the socio-legal dynamics of post-divorce justice in rural Indonesia. It highlights the need for broader legal literacy and institutional support. The study recommends that legal authorities and local governments actively disseminate information about SEMA No. 1 of 2017 to ensure post-divorce rights are properly understood and enforced.
Type of the article: Research Article
AbstractIn today’s competitive landscape, faith-based institutions can gain advantages by leveraging strategic HR practices to build a strong religious image. This study examines the effects of religious HR practices comprising religious training and development, recruitment and selection, remuneration and compensation, and performance appraisal on religious organizational image. Religious work ethics was included as a moderator to assess its role in the relationship between religious training and development and religious organizational image. A survey was conducted in January 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia, involving 418 academic staff from three universities representing three major religions: Yarsi University (Islam), Krida Wacana (Christianity), and Atma Jaya (Catholicism). The sample consisted of 274 Muslims, 70 Christians, and 74 Catholics, reflecting the national religious composition. Respondents were chosen for their direct experience with religious HR practices. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys and analyzed using PLS-SEM. Results show that religious training and development (β = 0.249), recruitment and selection (β = 0.103), remuneration and compensation (β = 0.129), and performance appraisal (β = 0.153) positively influence religious organizational image. Additionally, religious work ethics have a positive moderating effect on the relationship between religious training and development, as well as on the religious organizational image (β = 0.107). Multigroup analysis reveals the strongest combined effects among Catholic respondents (r² = 0.30), followed by Islam worshipers (r² = 0.252) and Christians (r² = 0.136), with no significant difference between groups (p > 0.1). These findings confirm that religious HR practices effectively enhance religious organizational image regardless of institutional religious affiliation.
AcknowledgmentsThe authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Research Organization for Governance, Economy, and Community Welfare, Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency, which provided funding under Decree No. 6/III.12/HK/2024.
∴ Introduction ∴ In recent years, human rights discourse has gained significant prominence as a powerful framework for shaping international policies, legal systems, and cultural identities. Its universal claims to safeguard dignity, liberty, and equality have prompted many nations and communities to integrate human rights principles into their legal and ethical codes. Concurrently, the concept of a Unified Islamic Community, rooted in Islamic teachings, aspires to foster solidarity, justice, and a collective identity among Muslims and monotheists worldwide. Although these two discourses—human rights and the Islamic Community—may initially seem divergent, they share foundational values, such as dignity and justice, which can promote a more harmonious global society. The intersection of human rights discourse and the Islamic Community is complex. While universal human rights frameworks were primarily developed within Western legal traditions, Islamic teachings are anchored in their own ethical and jurisprudential systems, derived from sources such as the Quran and Sunnah. This divergence has sparked debates about the compatibility of these two discourses and whether they inevitably clash. These debates manifest in various cultural, legal, and political contexts. For instance, universal human rights instruments advocate for principles like freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and non-discrimination, while interpretations of Islamic law in many Muslim-majority societies can either reinforce or appear to contradict certain aspects of international human rights conventions. In this context, globalization adds further pressure on Islamic communities. Rapid advancements in communication, the rise of multicultural societies, and increasing global interconnectedness can simultaneously challenge and reinforce collective identities. On one hand, globalization can lead to cultural homogenization, raising concerns that local religious traditions may become diluted. On the other hand, global networks can serve as platforms for Islamic scholars and institutions to engage in constructive dialogue, articulate diverse perspectives, and pursue shared goals. Therefore, understanding how human rights discourse can be reconciled with the vision of a Unified Islamic Community is particularly critical. Contemporary challenges facing Islamic societies—ranging from political instability to social fragmentation—underscore the urgency of constructing or reinforcing a shared sense of identity that resonates with a broad segment of believers. If human rights principles, such as dignity, fraternity, and justice, can be shown to align with fundamental Islamic tenets, they may serve as a unifying force, strengthening bonds within and among Muslim communities. Conversely, if these principles are perceived as inherently external or incompatible, they may generate internal conflict that undermines unity. Within this context, developing a nuanced understanding of how human rights discourse interacts with the theological, legal, and cultural dimensions of Islamic thought could prove invaluable for policymakers, scholars, and religious leaders. ∴ Research Question ∴ In light of these considerations, the core inquiry guiding this study is: How can human rights discourse contribute to the realization of the concept of a Unified Islamic Community? This central research question reflects the tension between the universalist claims embedded in modern human rights frameworks and the distinct vision of a unified community grounded in Islamic teachings. While numerous scholarly works have individually focused on human rights or the idea of the Unified Islamic Community, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding their confluence and potential synergies. By addressing this question, the study aims to explore whether, and under what conditions, a constructive overlap between human rights norms and Islamic principles can foster a more cohesive Muslim identity and, by extension, a stronger collective Islamic presence in global affairs. ∴ Research Hypothesis ∴ Based on preliminary observations and existing scholarship, this paper posits the following primary hypothesis: By relying on the commonalities between human rights principles and Islamic teachings—particularly values such as fraternity, justice, and human dignity—it is possible to strengthen internal cohesion and facilitate steps toward realizing a Unified Islamic Community. This hypothesis assumes that certain core tenets of Islam share conceptual and practical parallels with international human rights discourse. Both frameworks emphasize the preservation of human life, the pursuit of social and economic justice, and the importance of moral accountability. However, this proposition does not overlook potential areas of conflict; rather, it highlights the need for engaging in interpretive processes that bring Islamic jurisprudential tradition into meaningful dialogue with contemporary global norms. By testing this hypothesis, the article aims to illuminate where these discourses converge and how tensions might be reconciled or mitigated through informed and respectful discourse. ∴ Methodology & Framework, if Applicable ∴ The study adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on legal analysis, theological inquiry, and socio-political theory. First, it conducts a doctrinal review of international human rights instruments, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent treaties, to identify the overarching principles that define the global understanding of human rights. Second, it systematically examines select Islamic legal and theological sources—primarily the Quran, the Sunnah, and jurisprudential commentaries—to identify principles that resonate with or diverge from these global norms. Using comparative analysis, the research highlights overlapping constructs—such as the sanctity of life, the imperative of justice, and the emphasis on moral accountability—and explores how these shared elements might reinforce a sense of unity within the Islamic Community. Alongside this textual investigation, the study considers historical and contemporary case studies to illustrate how Muslim-majority societies have grappled with the practical implementation of human rights. By assessing successful examples of legal and policy frameworks that integrate human rights norms with Islamic principles, as well as instances of discord, the research seeks to build a robust analytical model for understanding this complex relationship. Finally, the article employs an inductive reasoning process, drawing on specific cases, scholarly interpretations, and policy outcomes to infer broader insights about the capacity of human rights discourse to serve as a catalyst for unity within Islamic contexts. Rather than presenting a monolithic view of Islamic law or homogenizing international human rights discourse, the methodology remains attentive to the diversity of interpretations and applications in different cultural, historical, and political settings. Through this comprehensive framework, the study endeavors to provide policymakers, religious scholars, and academics with constructive pathways toward aligning human rights objectives with Islamic imperatives, without prematurely dismissing the genuine challenges inherent in this alignment. ∴ Results & Discussion ∴ The findings of this study underscore both the promise and complexity of using human rights discourse to strengthen the realization of a Unified Islamic Community. On one hand, the research identifies notable congruencies between the universal principles enshrined in international human rights instruments and the core tenets of Islamic teachings. Concepts such as fraternity, justice, human dignity, and the imperative of peaceful coexistence emerge as shared ethical pillars. These commonalities can catalyze social cohesion and collective identity among Muslims. When human rights principles are appropriately contextualized within Islamic jurisprudential frameworks, they can amplify values central to the Community, reinforcing unity among believers. However, the study also reveals areas of tension when universal human rights claims intersect with the specific legal and cultural norms of Muslim-majority societies. Some interpretations of jurisprudential thought may view certain components of human rights discourse as externally imposed or incompatible with local traditions. These tensions indicate that achieving harmony between the two discourses requires nuanced interpretive approaches. Instead of a one-size-fits-all model, an integrative process—whereby Islamic legal experts and human rights advocates collaboratively explore the interpretive breadth and depth of both traditions—proves most conducive to constructive engagement. Empirically, the examination of legal, policy, and social measures across various Islamic countries confirms that constructive dialogue between these two discourses is not only possible but has been partially realized. Initiatives that incorporate human rights education into religious curricula, support grassroots advocacy for women’s and minority rights within an Islamic framework, and encourage intergovernmental cooperation among Muslim-majority nations provide tangible evidence of how these shared values can be operationalized. Such endeavors help mitigate the perception that human rights norms are strictly “Western” constructs, revealing their alignment with deeply rooted Islamic ethics. Additionally, the proliferation of digital platforms and social media presents both opportunities and challenges for deepening awareness of human rights values in Islamic contexts. New media can serve as a vehicle for disseminating knowledge about the compatibility of Islam and human rights, facilitating community-building and dialogue. However, unregulated or partisan use of these platforms can exacerbate misunderstandings or fuel divisions. This underscores the need for skillful, well-informed communication strategies that highlight points of alignment, promote respectful debate, and foster collaborative initiatives among diverse stakeholders. ∴ Conclusion ∴ The impact of international human rights discourse on the concept of a Unified Islamic Community is inherently multifaceted. While innate tensions may arise between the universal claims of human rights and the distinctive vision of an Islamic Community, continuous and effective support for rights rooted in Islamic values is crucial for preserving the authenticity and relevance of Islamic faith in the modern world. This research evaluated how human rights discourse contributes to the realization of a Unified Islamic Community, finding that an emphasis on shared principles such as fraternity, justice, human dignity, and peaceful coexistence can significantly enhance the Community’s cohesion and integrity. These points of concordance between Islamic teachings and human rights norms provide a powerful basis for collective identity, enabling Muslims to align modern legal frameworks with foundational religious principles. A key contribution of this study is the delineation of practical approaches to fortify this alignment, including targeted human rights education programs within Muslim communities, strategic use of social media to disseminate complementary Islamic and rights-based values, and the creation or enhancement of international institutions dedicated to collaboration among Islamic nations. By adopting these strategies, Islamic societies can mitigate cultural or jurisprudential frictions while reinforcing their internal solidarity. In light of these findings, future research should conduct comparative analyses across diverse Islamic jurisdictions, investigate the evolving role of international bodies, and perform in-depth case studies. Such endeavors would further illuminate how best to reconcile Islamic legal and ethical frameworks with the global aspirations of human rights, advancing the shared goal of a cohesive, equitable, and principled Islamic Community.
ABSTRACTRecent decades have witnessed a surge of philosophical interest in the concept of supererogation. Although Martin Luther figures prominently in the historiography as a critic of supererogation, the particular nature of his critique and its place within his broader moral theology has been underexplored. This article offers a reconstruction of Luther's theological opposition to supererogation, demonstrating its tight connection to central elements of his spiritual and ethical vision. Three elements are identified and discussed: the relationship between faith and the Word of God, the distinction between divine and human law, and the equality of Christian vocations within the community of believers. The article concludes by suggesting the ongoing relevance of Luther's antisupererogationism for contemporary religious ethics.
In the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence, machine perception is becoming paramount to achieving increased performance. Image classification systems are becoming increasingly integral to various applications, ranging from medical diagnostics to image generation; however, these systems often exhibit harmful biases that can lead to unfair and discriminatory outcomes. Machine Learning systems that depend on a single data modality, i.e. only images or only text, can exaggerate hidden biases present in the training data, if the data is not carefully balanced and filtered. Even so, these models can still harm underrepresented populations when used in improper contexts, such as when government agencies reinforce racial bias using predictive policing. This thesis explores the intersection of technology and ethics in the development of fair image classification models. Specifically, I focus on improving fairness and methods of using multiple modalities to combat harmful demographic bias. Integrating multimodal approaches, which combine visual data with additional modalities such as text and metadata, allows this work to enhance the fairness and accuracy of image classification systems. The study critically examines existing biases in image datasets and classification algorithms, proposes innovative methods for mitigating these biases, and evaluates the ethical implications of deploying such systems in real-world scenarios. Through comprehensive experimentation and analysis, the thesis demonstrates how multimodal techniques can contribute to more equitable and ethical AI solutions, ultimately advocating for responsible AI practices that prioritize fairness.
As large language models (LLMs) are increasingly used for work, personal, and therapeutic purposes, researchers have begun to investigate these models' implicit and explicit moral views. Previous work, however, focuses on asking LLMs to state opinions, or on other technical evaluations that do not reflect common user interactions. We propose a novel evaluation of LLM behavior that analyzes responses to user-stated intentions, such as "I'm thinking of campaigning for {candidate}." LLMs frequently respond with critiques or praise, often beginning responses with phrases such as "That's great to hear!..." While this makes them friendly, these praise responses are not universal and thus reflect a normative stance by the LLM. We map out the moral landscape of LLMs in how they respond to user statements in different domains including politics and everyday ethical actions. In particular, although a naïve analysis might suggest LLMs are biased against right-leaning politics, our findings on news sources indicate that trustworthiness is a stronger driver of praise and critique than ideology. Second, we find strong alignment across models in response to ethically-relevant action statements, but that doing so requires them to engage in high levels of praise and critique of users, suggesting a reticence-alignment tradeoff. Finally, our experiment on statements about world leaders finds no evidence of bias favoring the country of origin of the models. We conclude that as AI systems become more integrated into society, their patterns of praise, critique, and neutrality must be carefully monitored to prevent unintended psychological and societal consequences.
Yueqiao Jin, Vanessa Echeverria, Lixiang Yan
et al.
Multimodal Learning Analytics (MMLA) integrates novel sensing technologies and artificial intelligence algorithms, providing opportunities to enhance student reflection during complex, collaborative learning experiences. Although recent advancements in MMLA have shown its capability to generate insights into diverse learning behaviours across various learning settings, little research has been conducted to evaluate these systems in authentic learning contexts, particularly regarding students' perceived fairness, accountability, transparency, and ethics (FATE). Understanding these perceptions is essential to using MMLA effectively without introducing ethical complications or negatively affecting how students learn. This study aimed to address this gap by assessing the FATE of MMLA in an authentic, collaborative learning context. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 undergraduate students who used MMLA visualisations for post-activity reflection. The findings highlighted the significance of accurate and comprehensive data representation to ensure visualisation fairness, the need for different levels of data access to foster accountability, the imperative of measuring and cultivating transparency with students, and the necessity of transforming informed consent from dichotomous to continuous and measurable scales. While students value the benefits of MMLA, they also emphasise the importance of ethical considerations, highlighting a pressing need for the LA and MMLA community to investigate and address FATE issues actively.
In the current legal environment, it is essential to prioritize the protection and reliability of data to promote trust and effectiveness. This study examines how blockchain technology in the form of blockLAW can be applicable to investigate its effects on legal automation, cybersecurity, and ethical concerns. The decentralized ledger and unchangeable characteristics of Blockchain provide opportunities to simplify legal procedures, automate contract execution with smart contracts, and improve transparency in legal transactions. Blockchain is seen as a crucial instrument for updating legal processes while maintaining ethical standards, tackling issues like scalability, regulatory adherence, and ethical dilemmas such as privacy and fairness. The study examines recent developments and evaluates blockchain impact on legal structures, offering perspectives on its potential to enhance legal procedures and guarantee transparency in legal systems. It further emphasizes blockchain ability to redefine how legal professionals handle and protect sensitive information, leading to stronger, more effective, and reliable legal procedures. We have also discussed the technological considerations when it comes to blockchain integration into legal systems like integration planning, implementation strategies, innovations, advancements, trends with Blockchain Integration Framework for legal systems.
Reskino Reskino, Rafrini Amyulianthy, Nadia Tri Silvi
This research aims to examine the impact of personal ethics and love of money on fraud tendencies, with religiosity as a moderating variable. This research uses primary data through questionnaires given to accounting and finance staff who work at Islamic commercial banks in the DKI Jakarta area. The research sample consisted of 149 respondents, and the analysis was carried out using the Partial Least Square method (PLS-SEM) using the SmartPLS. The results of this study reveal that love of money has a significant influence on fraud tendencies, while personal ethics does not have a significant influence on fraud tendencies. In addition, religiosity could only moderate the influence of the love of money on fraud tendencies, while no moderation occurred in the relationship between personal ethics and fraud tendencies. The novelty of this research lies in examining the complex relationship between factors such as personal ethics, love of money, religiosity, and fraud tendencies in the context of the Islamic banking environment. The results of this research can provide important insights regarding the factors that influence the tendency of fraud in the banking sector, especially Sharia banking, and the moderating role of religiosity in moderating the impact of the love of money. These findings can provide valuable guidance for Islamic banks and other researchers in their efforts to prevent fraud and develop sustainable business ethics.
Marriage as an action that is the way to enter the family institution is discussed in Islamic thought under the knowledge of practical wisdom. What is the relationship between practical wisdom and marriage? The answer is a discussion of knowledge in Islamic wisdom under the title of coining practical wisdom; the purpose of this article is to deal with the relationship between practical wisdom and jurisprudence; Jurisprudence is a system of knowledge that forms various legal systems through marriage as a matter of stability for man and society. Therefore, it has been revealed in a rational method of ijtihad, on the one hand, that marriage as a moral virtue is meaningful within the practical wisdom, and on the other hand, this virtue makes possible the perfections of the individual human being and, on the other hand, the social perfections in the form of the four chains of Sharia. In fact, these two types of perfection actualize what is mentioned in Sharia under the title of good life, and marriage is regarded as a moral thing that strengthens the society; This path is from the side of ethics towards society, not that it is considered moral because it is a social matter. With this definition, the reason that has been raised about the immorality of marriage loses its color. In the end, it will be shown that marriage through rights and the emergence of mahram legal chains, the sanctity of marriage, inheritance and genealogy, strengthens the society.
Emerging studies on African Religion portray rejuvenation of indigenous beliefs and practices. Extant literature has shown re-enactment and increasing participation in masquerade/masking tradition. Others indicate the revival of indigenous episteme and practices connected to health systems. Drawing upon ethnographic method of observation and interview, this study investigates the influence of the revival of Omabe (masquerade) traditions on tourism development in Nsukka – Igbo communities, southeastern Nigeria. Participants of this study were purposively selected and the primary data collected were interpreted through thematic analysis. As discovered, the increased participation in Omabe festival and the attendant practices by mainly the youth has invigorated tourism and related activities. For over a century, adherents of African Religion were overwhelmed by hegemonic influence and domination from foreign religious elements in ways that made participating in Omabe festival unfashionable. In contrast to this trend, an unprecedented number of spectators from different religious persuasions visit Nsukka during Omabe festivals in recent times. Our findings are consistent with the ways in which revival of local knowledge and practices impact on tourism development in post contact societies.
In this paper, the theme of environmental desolation and social justice in Isaiah 24:1-6 is explored, motivated bythe increasing relevance of ecological and social issues in contemporary theological discourse. Existingscholarship often treats environmental and social justice separately, overlooking their interconnectedness inbiblical texts. Therefore, the problem addressed is the lack of a holistic understanding of justice andenvironmental sustainability presented in Isaiah 24:1-6. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of theprophetic message in Isaiah 24:1-6, highlighting its implications for modern discussions on environmentalsustainability and social equity. The objectives are to: Analyze the themes of environmental desolation and socialjustice; explore the links between human behaviour and environmental impact; contextualize these themeswithin current debates on sustainability and equity; demonstrate the relevance of ancient prophetic wisdom inaddressing contemporary global challenges, particularly in line with SDGs 10 and 15. A qualitative researchmethod is employed, involving historical-grammatical exegesis of Isaiah 24:1-6. Findings suggest that ancientprophetic insights can inform current efforts to address environmental and social injustices. Recommendationsinclude integrating eco-theological principles into contemporary ethical frameworks and policy-making topromote sustainability and equity. Therefore, Isaiah 24:1-6 offers valuable perspectives for addressing ecologicalchallenges.
With language technology increasingly affecting individuals' lives, many recent works have investigated the ethical aspects of NLP. Among other topics, researchers focused on the notion of morality, investigating, for example, which moral judgements language models make. However, there has been little to no discussion of the terminology and the theories underpinning those efforts and their implications. This lack is highly problematic, as it hides the works' underlying assumptions and hinders a thorough and targeted scientific debate of morality in NLP. In this work, we address this research gap by (a) providing an overview of some important ethical concepts stemming from philosophy and (b) systematically surveying the existing literature on moral NLP w.r.t. their philosophical foundation, terminology, and data basis. For instance, we analyse what ethical theory an approach is based on, how this decision is justified, and what implications it entails. Our findings surveying 92 papers show that, for instance, most papers neither provide a clear definition of the terms they use nor adhere to definitions from philosophy. Finally, (c) we give three recommendations for future research in the field. We hope our work will lead to a more informed, careful, and sound discussion of morality in language technology.
The past decade has observed a significant advancement in AI with deep learning-based models being deployed in diverse scenarios, including safety-critical applications. As these AI systems become deeply embedded in our societal infrastructure, the repercussions of their decisions and actions have significant consequences, making the ethical implications of AI deployment highly relevant and essential. The ethical concerns associated with AI are multifaceted, including challenging issues of fairness, privacy and data protection, responsibility and accountability, safety and robustness, transparency and explainability, and environmental impact. These principles together form the foundations of ethical AI considerations that concern every stakeholder in the AI system lifecycle. In light of the present ethical and future x-risk concerns, governments have shown increasing interest in establishing guidelines for the ethical deployment of AI. This work unifies the current and future ethical concerns of deploying AI into society. While we acknowledge and appreciate the technical surveys for each of the ethical principles concerned, in this paper, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview that not only addresses each principle from a technical point of view but also discusses them from a social perspective.
Abstract The article provides a philosophical explication of an African religious moral philosophy. Often philosophers repudiate the view that African Traditional Religions (ATR) can embody a religious moral philosophy. Theologians, on the other hand, tend to believe that ATR can, but they often do not provide a systematic account of such an ethical system. The article demonstrates that ATR can embody an under-explored moral philosophy. ATR refers to indigenous religious ideas, beliefs, and practices of the indigenous people below the Sahara. The article will invoke the metaphysical and moral concept of vitality as the basis to construct an African religious moral philosophy. (It is worth noting that this article merely constructs, but it does not defend, this ethical system.) Vitality is the spiritual energy that originates, maximally inheres and defines God, and God has since distributed it to all that exists, albeit in varying degrees. By ‘moral philosophy’, the article focuses on (1) meta-ethics (it proffers a vitality-based account of the moral terms right and wrong); (2) normative theory (it expounds on the perfectionist and deontological principles of right action); and (3) applied ethics (it invokes a vitality-based conception of moral status to explore environmental ethics and select bioethical themes).
Joshua Albrecht, Ellie Kitanidis, Abraham J. Fetterman
Large language models (LLMs) have exploded in popularity in the past few years and have achieved undeniably impressive results on benchmarks as varied as question answering and text summarization. We provide a simple new prompting strategy that leads to yet another supposedly "super-human" result, this time outperforming humans at common sense ethical reasoning (as measured by accuracy on a subset of the ETHICS dataset). Unfortunately, we find that relying on average performance to judge capabilities can be highly misleading. LLM errors differ systematically from human errors in ways that make it easy to craft adversarial examples, or even perturb existing examples to flip the output label. We also observe signs of inverse scaling with model size on some examples, and show that prompting models to "explain their reasoning" often leads to alarming justifications of unethical actions. Our results highlight how human-like performance does not necessarily imply human-like understanding or reasoning.
The pantheistic view of nature enshrined in African traditional religious beliefs and thought systems has propelled a myriad of African scholars to assume that the environmental ethical position of ATR on human-nature relations is environment-centered. This is a result of the ineptitude of some scholars to critically analyze the complexity involved in the discourse on human-nature relations in traditional African religious beliefs, borne out of an ethnocentric mindset to eulogize ATR. An in-depth understanding of African traditional religious environmental ethics requires a full grasp of African ontology. On this note, to clear this age-old misconception about Traditional African notions on human-nature relations, this research aims at simplifying the complexity or ambiguity surrounding the discourse and brings to the fore the anthropocentric view of African Traditional Religion and environmental ethics on human-nature relations. The paper argues vehemently that African religious belief in human-nature relations is absolutely anthropocentric.
ABSTRACTThis essay is a close examination of one of Nahman of Bratslav's early and largely unexamined texts, Sefer ha‐Middot. The question it addresses is whether one can call this a study of “ethics” or, in Jewish nomenclature, musar, a work that seeks to cultivate human behaviors and describe ethical formation. In addition, it asks whether Sefer ha‐Middot can be called a text of “virtue ethics” given its focus on virtues and their enactment. The essay argues that Nahman's peculiar metaphysical notion that all mitzvot are inextricably intertwined prevents any analysis of behavioral causality severing his “ethics” from any Aristotelian or Kantian tradition and brings him closer to Alasdair MacIntyre's notion of ethics as tied to traditional norms. And even with MacIntyre, the comparison is quite limited. Discussing “faith,” the “zaddik,” and “money,” the essay explores Nahman's view of how these and other virtues are cultivated and achieved.