ATTACHED IS MY TWO PREVIOUS ASSIGNMENTS PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL CIATIONS ARE REAL AND ACCURATE CAPSTONE ETHICAL ISSUE RESEARCH PAPER ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS OVERVIEW This assignment is a scholarly paper
Ethical System Position on Transgender Athletes in Sports
ETHC 205 – Ethical Systems
28 April 2026
This paper discusses Magnuson's Christian ethical system applied to the ethics of transgender athletes in sports, while also contrasting the ethics of utilitarianism.1 Christian ethics rests upon revelation, absolutes and the inherent dignity and value of human life as an image of God.2 By contrast, utilitarianism assesses moral actions in terms of consequences, especially to bring about happiness and to reduce suffering.3 This paper contends that Christian ethics provides a more robust and consistent moral framework for this issue. In particular, it is committed to preserving fairness in sports and preserving human dignity. Utilitarianism is based on inclusion and on the idea of "the greatest good for the greatest number" lacking a firm foothold in moral values. In conclusion, this paper argues that Christian ethics is a more reliable and fair framework to assess transgender participation in competitive sports.
Ethics: Christian Ethics and Utilitarianism
Christian ethics, such as Magnuson proposes, is based on the infallibility of the Bible, the idea of the imago Dei, and the assumption of objective moral truth that resides in God.4 Humans are viewed as purposefully and morally designed by God, so morality must be in accordance with God’s design rather than cultural whims. The framework emphasises justice and love, and argues that ethical actions must align with God's truth as well as show mercy.5 Utilitarianism, put forth by philosophers like Bentham and Mill, is a consequentialist theory that judges morality by the principle that actions should produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number. This system seems efficient, but lacks moral consistency as it can result in the unfair treatment of minorities for the good of the majority.6 For transgender athletes, utilitarianism emphasises acceptance and psychological welfare, but may compromise fairness in sports by overlooking biological differences.
Magnuson's Christian ethics relies on Scripture, the image of God, and the belief that truth is absolute and originates from the nature of God. Man is considered as having been created for a definite end and according to the moral order, hence ethical decisions should not be reliant only on the subjective cultural norms. This method highlights the importance of both justice and love, it is through the actions in accordance with God's truth that show love as well. Bentham and Mill's form of Utilitarianism is basically the evaluation of the consequences of one's ordinary actions including the greatest happiness for the greatest number.7 While it seems pretty sensible, at times it can be morally bankrupt as it may even justify unfairness to the minorities if for the sake of the greater good.8 When it comes to transgender athletes, from the utilitarian perspective, the emphasis is on the integration and the feelings, however, fairness in sport might get sacrificed as physical differences are overlooked. Besides that, Christian ethics maintains that moral principles are not culturally relative whereas on the other hand, utilitarianism is, which affects the consistency of the moral decision-making.9
Comparative Evaluation of Ethical Systems
In comparing these two ethical frameworks, Christian ethics offers a more consistent approach to ethics. The theory of utilitarianism relies heavily on predictions, which are frequently uncertain and subjective, so moral decisions are not consistent.10 For instance, whether inclusion or fairness leads to more happiness can depend on cultural and personal preferences. This results in inconsistent moral judgements. However, Christian ethics affirms fixed moral principles that do not change. It insists that truth and justice don't depend on the will of the majority but God's design for humanity. With regards to transgender athletes in sports, this approach preserves competitiveness in sports while upholding dignity.11 While utilitarianism seems more comfortable with diversity, its relativism renders it less trustworthy in dealing with complex moral dilemmas that involve multiple rights and far-reaching effects.
Applying to Transgender Sports
Christian ethics with regard to transgender athletes in sports involve considerations of justice and mercy. Sport relies on justice, especially in the form of sex-based categories that recognise physical differences in strength, speed and stamina. For Christians, preserving these categories upholds the legitimacy of competition and treats all athletes fairly.12 On the other hand, as human persons, transgender people should not be discriminated against or ostracised from sports. One ethical solution might be to preserve the integrity of the biological categories, while experimenting with options such as "open" divisions or modified rules. This aims to maintain justice while offering participation.13 This is an example of biblical "love your neighbour as yourself" in conjunction with truth and justice. Christian ethical decision-making must avoid categorically excluding or including all persons on the basis of complex issues of human identity.
Objections and Responses
A chief concern with the Christian ethical stance is that it can seem uncompassionate in its exclusion of transgender persons. Some may view barring transgender athletes based on sex as damaging and stigmatising.14 But Christian ethics does not condone discrimination or exclusion, rather it draws a line between fairness in controlled competition and individual dignity. Another argument asserts that hormone therapy will remove biological advantages, and increase fairness.15 This may be true in part, but some differences remain, which continue to influence the games. A utilitarian argument would be that inclusion is more satisfying for all parties. But this can come at the expense of fairness, and potentially at the cost of female athletes in other significant opportunities such as scholarships. Christian ethics counters by proclaiming that justice is something that involves fairness and compassion, not one over the other.
A key criticism of Christian ethics is that it seems exclusionary of transgender people and hence unfriendly. Some contend that exclusion based on biological sex may be traumatising and stigmatising.16 But Christian ethics does not condone hostility or exclusion and makes a distinction between fairness in competition and individual dignity. A further argument is that hormone therapy will eliminate biological advantages, creating more equal competition. To some extent this is correct, but studies indicate that some differences do remain and impact performance.17 A utilitarian argument would state that inclusion leads to more happiness. But this can come at the cost of justice for women's emotional happiness, which affects opportunities for female athletes such as scholarships. Christian ethics replies by stating that justice is not just fairness but compassion and vice versa, not either/or. It also emphasises that moral truth cannot be determined by majority vote, but by moral order, which means not being swayed by political or social pressures.
Conclusion
This essay demonstrated that Magnuson's Christian ethical theory surpasses utilitarianism in being a consistent and reliable ethical framework in the case of transgender athletes in sports. Christian ethics is based on the unchanging truth of God, the sanctity of life and immutable moral Laws. Utilitarianism as a matter of principle aims to bring about the greatest happiness of the greatest number but it stands out as unfair and inconsistent in cases of conflict. On the other hand, Christian ethics is first and foremost about justice and compassion by recognizing the facts of biology while at the same time cherishing the inherent value of every individual. This is exactly what fairness and competition entails in the world of athletes while at the same time it is a system that honors both inclusion and fairness. To sum up, Christian ethics sets forth a steadier moral compass for dealing with very complicated social issues surrounding identity, justice and human well-being.
Bibliography
Hilton, Ernest N., and Tommy R. Lundberg. “Transgender Women in the Female Category of Sport: Perspectives on Testosterone Suppression and Performance Advantage.” Sports Medicine 51, no. 2 (2021): 199–214.
Magnuson, Magnus. Christian Ethics: A Biblical Approach. Course textbook.
Mill, John Stuart. Utilitarianism. London: Parker, 1863.
Rae, Scott B. Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, latest edition.
The Holy Bible. New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.
1Magnuson, Magnus. Christian Ethics: A Biblical Approach. Course textbook.
2 IBID
3Mill, John Stuart. Utilitarianism. London: Parker, 1863.
4Magnuson, Magnus. Christian Ethics: A Biblical Approach. Course textbook.
5Rae, Scott B. Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, latest edition
6Mill, John Stuart. Utilitarianism. London: Parker, 1863.
7 IBID
8Rae, Scott B. Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, latest edition.
9The Holy Bible. New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.
10Mill, John Stuart. Utilitarianism. London: Parker, 1863.
11Hilton, Ernest N., and Tommy R. Lundberg. “Transgender Women in the Female Category of Sport: Perspectives on Testosterone Suppression and Performance Advantage.” Sports Medicine 51, no. 2 (2021): 199–214.
12Rae, Scott B. Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, latest edition.
13 IBID
14Hilton, Ernest N., and Tommy R. Lundberg. “Transgender Women in the Female Category of Sport: Perspectives on Testosterone Suppression and Performance Advantage.” Sports Medicine 51, no. 2 (2021): 199–214.
15 IBID
16 IBID
17 IBID
