Germany Jahrgangsstufe 10 Catholic Religious Education

Chapters: 5

1. Inviolable: right to life and dignity

Right to life and human dignity

Bioethics: Deciding What Is Right in Biology and Medicine – Bioethics asks whether we should do what biology and medicine now let us do. It uses four principles: autonomy (respect choice), beneficence (do good), non-maleficence (do no harm) and justice (fairness). Human dignity means a person is never only a means to an end, so informed consent is needed. Therapeutic cloning may be allowed under strict rules; reproductive human cloning is banned in most countries. Start-of-life and end-of-life questions are weighed as benefits against risks and values.

Death and resurrection: Christian hope

Coming soon

Jesus the Christ

Coming soon

Seeking happiness and life orientation

Happiness and the Good Life – Everyone wants to be happy, but the word has several meanings: good luck, a pleasant feeling, or a whole life that goes well. Pleasures give quick, short happiness that fades as we get used to them; friendships, skills, good character and meaning build lasting happiness. Hedonists see pleasure as the goal; Epicurus chose simple pleasures and a calm mind; Aristotle saw happiness (eudaimonia) as living well through virtue; the Stoics focused on what we can control; utilitarians seek the greatest happiness for the greatest number; Kant asked us to do our duty and so become worthy of happiness. Religions add love of others, gratitude and trust that life has a meaning.

Encounter with Hinduism and Buddhism

Coming soon