Historical origins of Ethics aka – Noteworthy moral philosophers

Plato Socrates was his teacher Socrates was his teacher Taught Aristotle Taught Aristotle “knowledge is virtue” “knowledge is virtue” Three parts of the soul: Three parts of the soul: reason spiritappetite When all three parts of the soul operate under the rule of reason, the result is harmony. When all three parts of the soul operate under the rule of reason, the result is harmony.

Plato - continued Appetite – animal part containing Appetite – animal part containing primitive lusts & irrational desires These are manifested in our dreams as These are manifested in our dreams as “those which are aroused in sleep” These must be contained if peace is going to be achieved These must be contained if peace is going to be achieved

Plato - continued Constant struggle between reason & lust for the allegiance of the spirit – Constant struggle between reason & lust for the allegiance of the spirit – Spirit is the source of all action Spirit is the source of all action

Aristotle Teacher of Alexander the Great Teacher of Alexander the Great Happiness can be achieved by applying the “golden mean” – Which is… Happiness can be achieved by applying the “golden mean” – Which is… To achieve happiness we must: To achieve happiness we must: Always strive for harmonious balance between two extremes 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 Happiness is not static, but is an activity, a way of living that must be worked on

The Doctrine of the Mean Deficiencymean extreme/excess Deficiencymean extreme/excess fear courage foolhardiness fear courage foolhardiness dishonor proper pridearrogance dishonor proper pridearrogance excessive abstinence temperanceself-indulgence excessive abstinence temperanceself-indulgence

Aristotle (continued) In other words, we must work at being happy. In other words, we must work at being happy. Without experimentation & trial and error, through reason alone, one can not determine what is best Without experimentation & trial and error, through reason alone, one can not determine what is best

Epicurus “Live moderately & pleasurably, but without pain.” (Ataraxia) “Live moderately & pleasurably, but without pain.” (Ataraxia) Dynamic pleasures – cause pain – lust, gluttony, fame, drunkenness, marriage – accompanied by pain Dynamic pleasures – cause pain – lust, gluttony, fame, drunkenness, marriage – accompanied by pain Passive pleasures – avoids pain & suffering – friendship, eating moderately, exercising moderately Passive pleasures – avoids pain & suffering – friendship, eating moderately, exercising moderately

Immanuel Kant Moral law requires rewards in direct proportion to one’s virtue Moral law requires rewards in direct proportion to one’s virtue Not necessarily on earth, but rather in heaven Not necessarily on earth, but rather in heaven “Essence of Morality” – morality is gauged by intention, not consequence “Essence of Morality” – morality is gauged by intention, not consequence

Kant - continued An act is moral if separate from its consequences (aka deontological approach to ethics) 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 “Categorical Imperative” – All should act in a righteous manner as if each action was to become a universal law

John Stuart Mill & Utilitarianism An action is good if it produces the greatest good for the greatest number 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) Stresses the effects of actions rather than their motives (opposite of Kant) Majority rules Majority rules Results-oriented approach to ethics (aka teleological approach to ethics) Results-oriented approach to ethics (aka teleological approach to ethics)