Part II: Ethics Ch. 2: How should one live? Ch. 3: How can I know what is right? Ch. 4: What makes society just? Ch. 5: Is justice for all possible?

Chapter 2: How Should One Live? What constitutes a “good life”? What constitutes a “good life”? Need to answer moral questions in a way that is not ambiguous or vague Need to answer moral questions in a way that is not ambiguous or vague What is the difference between actual desires and one’s idea of what they ought to do? What is the difference between actual desires and one’s idea of what they ought to do?

Answering Moral Questions Moral questions must be answered in a way that is not: Moral questions must be answered in a way that is not: –Ambiguous – has many meanings and is not clear precisely to what it refers –Vague – without clear distinctions

Answering Moral Questions Moral questions should be answered in way that is: Moral questions should be answered in way that is: –Descriptive – describes the kinds of values people have and the sorts of principles they use –Normative – the norms that ought to guide one’s actions

Reading the Philosophers Ask yourself how the author would answer these questions: Ask yourself how the author would answer these questions: –What is the good life? –How is the good life attained? –Why is the life described as a good one?

Justification for Answers When asking why questions, the author should provide two types of justification: When asking why questions, the author should provide two types of justification: –Justification of the goal –Justification of the means

The Buddha and the Middle Way Buddha = “the Enlightened One” Buddha = “the Enlightened One” Siddhartha Gautama (563 BCE.) was deemed Buddha after being enlightened concerning how to attain wisdom and overcome suffering Siddhartha Gautama (563 BCE.) was deemed Buddha after being enlightened concerning how to attain wisdom and overcome suffering Nirvana – release from suffering Nirvana – release from suffering

Buddhism Buddhism developed from Siddhartha Gautama’s teaching Buddhism developed from Siddhartha Gautama’s teaching Three main groups Three main groups –Theravada – Way of the Elders –Mahayana – Greater Vehicle –Vajrayana – Diamond Vehicle

Buddhism Four Noble Truths – heart of Buddah’s message. Four Noble Truths – heart of Buddah’s message. Middle Way or Eightfold Path – the Fourth Noble Truth Middle Way or Eightfold Path – the Fourth Noble Truth

The Four Noble Truths The Buddha The Noble Truth of Suffering The Noble Truth of Suffering The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering The Noble Truth of the Way of Practice Leading to the Cessation of Suffering The Noble Truth of the Way of Practice Leading to the Cessation of Suffering

The Noble Truth of Suffering Suffering is understood through the five aggregates (components of the individual human being) of grasping Suffering is understood through the five aggregates (components of the individual human being) of grasping The aggregates of grasping The aggregates of grasping –Form –Feeling –Perception –Mental formations –Consciousness

The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering A craving or desire arises and establishes itself through the pleasures of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles, and mind-objects A craving or desire arises and establishes itself through the pleasures of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles, and mind-objects

The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering Complete fading away and extinction of craving or desire Complete fading away and extinction of craving or desire Liberation from desires Liberation from desires

Noble Truth of the Way of Practice Leading to the Cessation of Suffering Noble Eightfold Path Noble Eightfold Path –Right View –Right Thought –Right Speech –Right Action –Right Livelihood –Right Effort –Right Mindfulness –Right Concentration

The Fourth Noble Truth Walpola Rahula Fourth Noble Truth Composed of Eightfold Path Fourth Noble Truth Composed of Eightfold Path Called the “Middle Path” because it avoids two extremes: Called the “Middle Path” because it avoids two extremes: –Search for happiness through pleasure of senses –Search for happiness through self- mortification

The Fourth Noble Truth Walpola Rahula Eightfold Path promote three essentials of Buddhist training and discipline Eightfold Path promote three essentials of Buddhist training and discipline –Ethical Conduct – Right speech, action, and livelihood –Mental Discipline – Right effort, mindfulness, and concentration –Wisdom – Right thought and understanding

Confucius and the Life of Virtue Confucius: Confucius: –born in China (551 – 479 BCE) –“humanistic social philosophy” – concern for achieving good social order and cultivating humane qualities in the human spirit

Confucius and the Life of Virtue Key attributes of Confucian philosophy Key attributes of Confucian philosophy –Ren (jen) – “goodness,” “benevolence,” and “humanheartedness.” What we become by cultivating aesthetic, moral, cognitive, and spiritual sensibilities. –Li – rules of proper behavior. Grounded in tradition. –Xiao (hsiao) – practice of kindness, honor, respect, and loyalty among family members –Yi – refers to what is appropriate or fitting to do in a given situation

Confucius and Moral Character D. C. Lau Distinctions of ideal moral character Distinctions of ideal moral character –Sage (sheng jen) – highest level of moral character –Good man and complete man –Gentleman (chün tzu) – characterized by benevolence. –Small man (Hsiao Jen) – opposite of gentleman

Confucius and Moral Character D. C. Lau Becoming a Gentleman: The meaning of benevolence. Becoming a Gentleman: The meaning of benevolence. –“Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire” (XII.2) –Shu – method of discovering what other people do or do not wish done to them –Chung – doing one’s best, practicing what one has learned from shu –Benevolence consists in overcoming self and observance of rites

Socrates on Living the Examined Life Socrates was born in Athens 9 years after Confucius died Socrates was born in Athens 9 years after Confucius died Socratic method – consists of asking questions to formulate, critique, and reform definitions of concepts Socratic method – consists of asking questions to formulate, critique, and reform definitions of concepts Divine command theory – God’s command or will makes something morally right Divine command theory – God’s command or will makes something morally right

The Apology Plato Plato’s account of the trial and defense of Socrates in 399 BCE. Plato’s account of the trial and defense of Socrates in 399 BCE. What is the good life? What is the good life? –The examined life, because “the life which is unexamined is not worth living” (pg 57). How is the good life attained? How is the good life attained? –Examine life through asking questions –He who understands his own limitations is wiser than he who thinks he is wise

The Apology Plato What makes this the good life? What makes this the good life? –In the examined life, one seeks virtue and wisdom and looks to the welfare of others –This is profitable both to one’s self and others

Aristotle on Happiness and the Life of Moderation Aristotle was a student of Plato (384 – 322 BCE) Aristotle was a student of Plato (384 – 322 BCE) Tutor of Alexandor the Great Tutor of Alexandor the Great Aristotle was a teleologist – he believed that all existing things have a purpose Aristotle was a teleologist – he believed that all existing things have a purpose –Teleology = “end,” “goal,” or “purpose” –He was concerned with the good of all humans, or eudaimonia

Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle Every action and pursuit aims at some good Every action and pursuit aims at some good The things we do for the sake of a desired end are the chief good The things we do for the sake of a desired end are the chief good Human good is the activity of the soul in accordance with virtue Human good is the activity of the soul in accordance with virtue

Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle Happiness is the activity of the soul in accordance with perfect virtue Happiness is the activity of the soul in accordance with perfect virtue The nature of virtue The nature of virtue –Intellectual – virtue born through teaching –Moral – result of habit Virtue is a state of character concerned with choice Virtue is a state of character concerned with choice Moral virtue is a mean between excess and deficiency Moral virtue is a mean between excess and deficiency

The Song of God How does one strive for moral perfection in morally imperfect world? How does one strive for moral perfection in morally imperfect world? Hinduism Hinduism –Dharma – order of the cosmos embodied in social and ethical law codes –Karma – “consequences of action.” As you sow, you will reap –Samsara – cycle of rebirth, death, and suffering of human life –Reincarnation – rebirth into new physical body

Bhagavad-Gita The First Teaching: Arjuna’s Dejection The First Teaching: Arjuna’s Dejection The Second Teaching: Philosophy and Spiritual Discipline The Second Teaching: Philosophy and Spiritual Discipline

The Virtue of Selfishness Ethical egoism – view that people ought to do what is in their own self-interest Ethical egoism – view that people ought to do what is in their own self-interest Altruism – people ought to do what is in the interest of others Altruism – people ought to do what is in the interest of others

The Ethics of Emergencies Ayn Rand “Altruism has destroyed the concept of any authentic benevolence or good will among men” “Altruism has destroyed the concept of any authentic benevolence or good will among men” The moral purpose of life is the achievement of one’s own happiness The moral purpose of life is the achievement of one’s own happiness Values are the first concern and motive power of life Values are the first concern and motive power of life