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Historical origins of Ethics

Historical origins of Ethics . aka – Noteworthy moral philosophers. Plato. Socrates was his teacher Taught Aristotle “knowledge is virtue” Three parts of the soul: reason spirit appetite When all three parts of the soul operate under the rule of reason, the result is harmony .

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Historical origins of Ethics

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  1. Historical origins of Ethics

    aka – Noteworthy moral philosophers
  2. Plato Socrates was his teacher Taught Aristotle “knowledge is virtue” Three parts of the soul: reason spirit appetite When all three parts of the soul operate under the rule of reason, the result is harmony .
  3. Plato - continued Appetite – animal part containing primitive lusts & irrational desires These are manifested in our dreams as “those which are aroused in sleep” These must be contained if peace is going to be achieved
  4. Plato - continued Constant struggle between reason & lust for the allegiance of the spirit – Spirit is the source of all action
  5. Aristotle Teacher of Alexander the Great Happiness can be achieved by applying the “golden mean” – Which is… To achieve happiness we must: Always strive for harmonious balance between two extremes Happiness is not static, but is an activity, a way of living that must be worked on
  6. The Doctrine of the Mean Deficiency mean extreme/excess fear courage foolhardiness dishonor proper pride arrogance excessive abstinence temperance self-indulgence
  7. Aristotle (continued) In other words, we must work at being happy. Without experimentation & trial and error, through reason alone, one can not determine what is best
  8. Epicurus “Live moderately & pleasurably, but without pain.” (Ataraxia) Dynamic pleasures – cause pain – lust, gluttony, fame, drunkenness, marriage – accompanied by pain Passive pleasures – avoids pain & suffering – friendship, eating moderately, exercising moderately
  9. Immanuel Kant Moral law requires rewards in direct proportion to one’s virtue Not necessarily on earth, but rather in heaven “Essence of Morality” – morality is gauged by intention, not consequence
  10. Kant - continued An act is moral if separate from its consequences (aka deontological approach to ethics) “Categorical Imperative” – All should act in a righteous manner as if each action was to become a universal law
  11. John Stuart Mill & Utilitarianism An action is good if it produces the greatest good for the greatest number Stresses the effects of actions rather than their motives (opposite of Kant) Majority rules Results-oriented approach to ethics (aka teleological approach to ethics)
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