1. 4th November 2013 P2 AS Philosophy Jez Echevarría
Philosophy Unit 1 - Why should I be moral? Morality as overcoming self-interest (introduction)
4th November 2013 P2
AS Philosophy
Jez Echevarría

2. Objectives
To consider Criticisms of Aristotle’s version of Virtue Ethics
To introduce Morality as overcoming self-interest – starting with Kant
To become familiar with the Categorical Imperative

3. Let’s apply Virtue Ethics to a practical issue……Abortion!
1) Identify 4 different reasons (or situations) why a woman might consider terminating a pregnancy.
Do not consider duty or egoism in calculating them
For each reason, consider:
What are the relevant virtues?
Why have you selected each one?
How might they be applied?
Try to reach a decision about the moral course of action being virtuous (right) or not.

4. Criticisms of Aristotelian Virtue Ethics
1) It does not offer clear enough guidance that enables real people to make actual decisions (but it is not relativistic, leading us to…..)
2) The difficulty of the different virtues inherent in different cultures – there does not appear to be a universal understanding of the virtues
3) Does Virtue theory give an adequate explanation of self-interest? Why do you give presents to your parents? Do you do things for own benefit or for your own happiness, or because it is the right thing to do?

6. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) German Philosopher
Responsible for the famous Categorical Imperative theory of morality, based on Duty
Also devised the moral argument for the existence of God from the Categorical Imperative
His most famous works are Critique of Pure Reason (1781) and Critique of Practical Reason (1788)

7. Kant Doing the right thing – duty for duty’s sake
Honest shopkeeper is honest:
1) because it is sensible for a successful business not to cheat customers
2) out of love and care for his customers
3 because he recognises the principle of fair dealing
Kant rejects 1 and 2. Only 3
Self-interest is therefore overcome only when the action itself is right, in and of itself
Deontological theory - explain

8. Kant The categorical imperative
Duty is central – duties do not depend on consequences
Two principles:
1) We should act only in ways that we should like everyone to act (Universalizability)
2) We should always treat people as “ends” in themselves, and never as “means to an end”

9. Categorical Imperative applied Natural Justice/Natural Law
Next Time…..
Categorical Imperative applied Natural Justice/Natural Law

10. What have I learnt today?
To consider Aristotle’s version of Virtue Ethics
To consider criticisms of Aristotle’s ethical system
To continue to understand the relative aspects of Virtue Ethics