Transcript Ethical Theories

The Question of Selfless Conduct
HsunHuman Nature: we are either
tzu
inherently good (Mencius) or
inherently evil (Hsun-tzu); environmental
Mencius
influences divert us from our true natures
Psychological egoism: all actions are aimed
at promoting one’s own self-interest
– even in pity and charity, we think
of ourselves in another’s situation Hobbes
Altruism and Self-Interest
Concern
for others (benevolence) is not Joseph
incompatible with self-love, because we Butler
can be happy in achieving our aims (which
might include helping others)
To
Edward O.
Wilson
avoid concluding that egoism is not
falsifiable, sociobiology argues that
altruism can be seen in how it promotes
group survival
Reason and Moral Judgments
A factual
inclination toward self-interest Hume
does not imply that we ought to promote it
– Judgments of moral approval/disapproval
are based on feeling or sentiment, not reason
– Searle’s Reply: obligations are institutional
Emotivism/Prescriptivism: moral
claims are not true/false; they merely
express feelings or recommendations
A. J. Ayer
Kurt Baier: morality is not based on emotions
but on determining the best reasons for acting