Transcript frameworks
Two Frameworks For Understanding The History Of Ethics I. II. As a transition from JUDGING PERSONS to JUDGING IDEAS A. The Greeks B. 1600 - the "new science" As TWO THEMES IN ETHICS: A. HAPPINESS B. DUTY I. The transition from JUDGING PERSONS to JUDGING IDEAS A. For the GREEKS: what was important was a person’s moral character. They believed that the right education and right actions would flow from good character. • Thus Plato and Aristotle were very concerned with the content of education. • The Greek notion of virtue is tied to actions: A virtuous person would act correctly “in virtue of” her/his character. B. 1600-The SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION With the advent of the "new science" two important changes in the way we thought about the universe occurred 1. Everything is “matter in motion.” All of the universe is subject to simple mathematical laws, including us. 2. We get the idea of scientific objectivity Ideas are to be judged right or wrong independent of the person "Matter in Motion" & the question of personal autonomy • How can you preserve personal autonomy in a universe subject to mathematical laws. • [This is important because AUTONOMY is necessary in order to hold a person morally responsible for her/his actions] • One attempted resolution: DUALISM: • We consist of “minds” [autonomous] and “bodies” [subject to mathematical, i.e. natural, laws.] But this raises other questions II: Two Themes in Ethics: A. HAPPINESS • Aristotle [384-322 BC]: We differ in the way we define happiness, but we all seek it. We seek it as an “end in itself”, that is for its own sake, not as a means to some other end • J.S. Mill [1806-1873]: “The Greatest Happiness Principle” Actions are morally right or wrong based on the consequences they bring. • These two views are TELEOLOGICAL: Actions will be judged in relation to ends or purposes. B. The Ideal of DUTY • Kant [1724-1804]: argues that we should act in terms of generalizable rules of conduct, asking ourselves whether the moral “rule” we propose could be binding for all people at all times. • Actions are based on principle. • Actions are not judged on the basis of consequences. • Emotional inclinations are not a good basis for ethical decisions. • This view is called DEONTOLOGICAL: “deon” is the Greek word for “that which is binding.”