Pragmatic ethics is an approach to making moral decisions that focuses on the likely consequences of actions. It considers the real-world outcomes of different courses of action and aims to determine which option will produce the best results overall.
At its core, pragmatic ethics is concerned with working out the best way to act in a given situation. It recognizes that we live in a complex world and there are no universal laws that can tell us the right thing to do in every case. Instead, we must carefully weigh up the potential benefits and harms of each available path.
Pragmatic ethical thinking has a long history, with roots in Ancient Greek philosophy and Chinese Confucianism. But it has become particularly influential in the modern era, as rapid social and technological changes have created many new ethical dilemmas without clear precedents to follow.
Some key features of pragmatic ethics include:
– Consequentialism – Judging actions based on their outcomes rather than motivations or inherent rights/wrongs. The morally right option brings about the best overall results.
– Contextual – Decisions are highly dependent on the details of the situation at hand rather than universal rules. Different contexts may warrant different judgments.
– Flexible – Willingness to reconsider and revise moral judgments in light of new evidence about likely consequences. Pragmatic ethics is open to changing course as the situation evolves.
– Output-focused – More concerned with generating good outcomes than motives or character. The pragmatist cares about what an action leads to in the real world.
– Decision procedures – Systematic processes for analyzing options, forecasting outcomes, and evaluating likely results to arrive at ethical decisions. Pragmatic ethics favors structured decision-making.
Pragmatic approaches are common in fields like business, governance, and public policy. Leaders and managers often employ pragmatic thinking to weigh up options and make difficult decisions. However, critics argue it can excuse ignoring ideals, principles, duties, and rights in the pursuit of good ends.
Pragmatic ethics in the Bible
The Bible does not explicitly discuss pragmatic ethics philosophy. However, it offers perspectives on moral decision-making that have some overlaps with pragmatism. While the Bible presents absolute standards for human conduct, it recognizes the need for wisdom in applying these standards to complex situations.
Several biblical principles and themes resonate with key aspects of pragmatic ethics:
Considering consequences
The Bible frequently warns about the negative consequences of sinful actions and praises the good outcomes of righteous living. There is a pragmatic concern for how one’s conduct impacts oneself and others. For example:
“Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.” (Proverbs 22:8)
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked…but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.” (Psalm 1:1-3)
These and many other verses advise that ethical actions bear positive fruit while sin leads to harm and ruin. When facing decisions, we must pragmatically consider where different paths might lead.
Thinking contextually
While containing moral absolutes, the Bible also presents principles for ethical adaptation according to context. God’s people must exercise discernment in applying God’s Word to diverse real-world scenarios. For example:
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
“Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.” (Job 12:12)
These verses acknowledge life’s complex and evolving circumstances. Times, cultures, and situations differ – and require wisdom in moral application.
Flexible, open to growth
Biblical figures like Paul show that those pursuing righteousness must adapt their actions based on experience and evidence. For instance:
“When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.” (Galatians 2:11-12)
Here Paul objects to inconsistency and hypocrisy he observes in Peter’s conduct. Paul’s ethical stances evolved in light of new information from experience.
Valuing righteous ends
The Bible frequently describes moral living in terms of its positive fruits. It envisions ethics as a path to blessings, fullness of life, and flourishing – not just a set of rules. For instance:
“My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.” (Proverbs 3:21-23)
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
Structured decision procedures
While not a technical formula, the Bible does prescribe certain orderly processes for moral discernment. These include:
– Prayerful seeking of God’s wisdom (James 1:5, Proverbs 2:1-15)
– Meditating on scripture and biblical principles (Psalm 119:97-105)
– Seeking and heeding wise counsel (Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 13:10)
– Communal accountability (Matthew 18:15-17)
– Self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5)
Applied sincerely, these practices can aid conscientious decision-making.
The role of principles
Importantly, the Bible differs from pure pragmatism in its allegiance to unchanging moral principles. God’s nature and laws provide an anchor for ethics in a complex, evolving world. While procedures may adapt contextually, core values are stable:
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)
“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
“Abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4)
Scripture contains many direct commands and prohibitions that followers of Christ commit to uphold, regardless of outcomes. These represent God’s standards for right living.
At the same time, the Bible demonstrates that applying unchanging principles well requires great wisdom, discernment, and reliance on God’s Spirit. Outcomes matter, even as principles anchor the process.
Key figures in scripture who modeled pragmatic ethics
While not fridge pragmatists, some major figures in the Bible displayed pragmatic ethical tendencies that align with principles discussed above:
Jacob
Jacob’s life shows development in moral discernment. As a young man, he deceives his brother and steals his birthright (Genesis 27). But he later becomes “Israel”, humbly submitting to God’s plan. Jacob exemplifies growing ethical wisdom.
Joseph
Sold into slavery in Egypt, Joseph resists temptation and rises to authority through gifts of understanding (Genesis 39-41). He uses this power to forgive his brothers and accomplish God’s purposes in a pagan land.
Moses
Moses tries to achieve good ends through anger and violence as a young man (Exodus 2:11-15), leading to his exile. But after encountering God, he becomes a wise and humble leader for a nation.
Solomon
Early in his reign, Solomon impresses God by asking not for long life, riches, or victory over enemies but for “an understanding mind” to discern good from evil (1 Kings 3:9). His prayer is answered in wisdom.
Daniel
In Babylon, Daniel faces intense pressure to conform to the immoral culture. But he retains his integrity through prayer and prudence, carefully negotiating ethical dilemmas (Daniel 1-6).
Jesus
Jesus frequently startles his disciples by violating social conventions and religious taboos – but always for pragmatically ethical purposes in line with God’s kingdom (Luke 6:1-11, John 4:1-42).
Paul
Paul writes epistles addressing specific ethical issues in different churches, considering each context and need. He is pragmatic about methods for the gospel’s advance (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
While far from moral relativists, these and other biblical figures display key pragmatic qualities like practical wisdom, adaptation to context, and willingness to grow in understanding of how to pursue righteousness in the world.
Strengths of a pragmatic biblical ethics
Appreciating the pragmatic dimensions of biblical ethics equips Christians to better navigate a complex world. Some strengths of this approach include:
Realistic
It accepts ethical decision-making is rarely neat and obvious. A pragmatic view is realistic about moral ambiguity.
Flexible
While retaining core principles, it can adapt to diverse situations and produce workable solutions amidst change.
Output-focused
It aims at tangible righteous outcomes over dogmatism about fixed methods. Pragmatism keeps the fruits of morality central.
Integrative
It considers ethics in context of broader goals like social justice, human flourishing, and God’s kingdom – not legalistically.
Applicable
A pragmatic approach makes righteous principles more immediately livable. It wrestles with how to apply unchanging truth to evolving circumstance.
Uniting
In today’s polarized climate, pragmatism can unite people around shared ethical goals while allowing room for disagreement about process.
Cautions regarding pragmatic ethics
While the pragmatic dimensions of biblical ethics are valuable, some cautions should be kept in mind:
Principles anchor pragmatism
Scriptural norms prevent pragmatism from becoming amoral and outcome-driven. Pragmatic ethics serve principles.
Humility required
Since humans have limited wisdom, pride must be avoided. Moral outcomes can be hard to predict.
Not relativistic
Adaptation to context doesn’t mean compromising core moral standards for expediency. Discernment isn’t laxity.
Avoid rationalizing
The desire for good outcomes can veer into self-justification of poor choices. Checks and balances are needed.
Community context
Christians shouldn’t judge pragmatically in isolation but in fellowship with other believers bound to shared values.
Divine guidance
Moral wisdom ultimately comes from reverent relationship with God, not just human strategic thinking. Ethics requires humility and prayer.
A thoughtful, self-aware pragmatic ethic grounded in scripture can be of great value. But it requires diligence and should remain anchored in God’s unchanging righteous character.
Practical application of biblical pragmatic ethics
How might some of the pragmatic themes we find in scripture translate to ethical decision-making today? Consider a few examples:
Business practices
Running a company with integrity requires pragmatically weighing profits against other goals like employee welfare, environmental impact, and serving customers ethically.
Lifestyle choices
Determining a moral course in areas like stewarding time and money means discerning potential outcomes, not just rules. For instance, prayerful cost-benefit analysis can help guide entertainment and habits.
Technology use
With new technologies regularly appearing, fixed rules rarely suffice. Instead, believers must humbly evaluate possible consequences on human flourishing when considering how to embrace or abstain from each emerging technology.
Politics and public policy
When advocating on issues like poverty, abortion, justice, etc., pragmatic ethics considers how to make incremental progress. It seeks biblically wise policies adapted to constraints of current realities.
Healthcare and bioethics
Difficult situations arise frequently in medicine and science – end of life decisions, embryo research, gene editing, and more. A pragmatic biblical ethic can help leaders better assess competing outcomes.
Interpersonal relationships
Navigating relationships and conflict isn’t just about rules but also discernment – when to address issues directly, when patience and understanding are more called for, and much more.
Outreach and evangelism
In sharing the gospel, we should be pragmatic about methods, guided by the Spirit. Different cultures and audiences may warrant adapting approaches for the maximum impact. But the message itself does not change.
Across many spheres, biblical principles must be applied carefully and contextually. As on biblical ethical topics like divorce or eating food sacrificed to idols, wisdom is often required to determine what loving application looks like in each unique case.