“Unethical” Ethics

Abstract This article accomplishes three tasks simultaneously: 1) It provides an analysis of the relationship between Coptic Orthodox Christianity and contemporary Western moral philosophy; 2) It assesses this relationship within the scope of metaethics and normative ethics, providing brief appraisals of deontology, consequentialism, and virtue ethics; and 3) It provides a more detailed analysis of Coptic Orthodoxy’s relationship to deontological ethics, suggesting that Copts sometimes risk exhibiting a pseudo-deontology: adherence to prescribed actions in emulation of moral exemplars but in a spirit distinct from those exemplars. Copts, in their singular, struggle-laden, and grace-filled pursuit of unity with God, are to be lauded for, and ought to continue, bypassing metaethics and normative ethics altogether. However, acknowledging their occasional acquiescence to pseudo-deontology will allow them both to refocus on this pursuit of God and to feel no pressure to subscribe to Western ethical currents.