1. 1 Ethics Chapter 2 Good and Evil

2. 2 Good and Evil Good and Evil Plato says good was the source of all being and morality, good is defined as pleasure Plato says good was the source of all being and morality, good is defined as pleasure And that the opposite of good is evil And that the opposite of good is evil Manicheans and Zoroastrians believed that good and evil were two independent, equally powerful forces that were always in conflict Manicheans and Zoroastrians believed that good and evil were two independent, equally powerful forces that were always in conflict St. Augustine said evil was not a real being at all, but merely an absence of the good St. Augustine said evil was not a real being at all, but merely an absence of the good

3. 3 Good and Evil Good and Evil Good and Evil Others attribute evil to the devil Others attribute evil to the devil The Hedonistic Approach identifies the good with pleasure and happiness and evil with pain and suffering The Hedonistic Approach identifies the good with pleasure and happiness and evil with pain and suffering Ask yourself this, how could a good God permit evil? (Nazis) Ask yourself this, how could a good God permit evil? (Nazis)

4. 4 Good and Evil Good and Evil Good and Evil Benn has a purely naturalistic account of evil Benn has a purely naturalistic account of evil Any object, property or happening about which it is both intelligible and correct to say that it would be a better state of affairs if that object did not exist or occur Any object, property or happening about which it is both intelligible and correct to say that it would be a better state of affairs if that object did not exist or occur

5. 5 Good and Evil Billy Budd by Melville Billy Budd by Melville Would you describe Billy as good or evil? Would you describe Billy as good or evil? Why? Why? Would you describe John Claggart as good or evil? Would you describe John Claggart as good or evil? Why? Why? Was there any conflict between Budd and Claggart? Was there any conflict between Budd and Claggart? Why does Melville state that Claggart and Budd in effect changed places? Why does Melville state that Claggart and Budd in effect changed places?

6. 6 Good and Evil Billy Budd by Melville Billy Budd by Melville How would you describe Captain Vere? How would you describe Captain Vere? Why? Why? How would you describe the other members that comprise the “jury”? How would you describe the other members that comprise the “jury”? Why? Why? What is their question to Billy? (or should they be asking Claggart) What is their question to Billy? (or should they be asking Claggart)

7. 7 Good and Evil Billy Budd by Melville Billy Budd by Melville What is Captain Vere’s dilemma? What is Captain Vere’s dilemma? What is his decision? What is his decision? What is his reasoning for the decision? What is his reasoning for the decision? Do you think he was right in handling the way that he did? Do you think he was right in handling the way that he did? Why? Why? How would you have handled the situation? How would you have handled the situation?

8. 8 Good and Evil Billy Budd by Melville Billy Budd by Melville What does Vere mean when he says, What does Vere mean when he says, But do these buttons that we wear attest that our allegiance is to nature? No, to the King But do these buttons that we wear attest that our allegiance is to nature? No, to the King That in receiving our commissions we in the most important regards ceased to be natural free agents That in receiving our commissions we in the most important regards ceased to be natural free agents

9. 9 Good and Evil Billy Budd by Melville Billy Budd by Melville What does Vere mean when he says, What does Vere mean when he says, But let not warm hearts betray heads that should be cool. Ashore in a criminal case, will an upright judge allow himself off the bench to be waylaid by some tender kinswoman of the accused seeking to tough him with her tearful plea? But let not warm hearts betray heads that should be cool. Ashore in a criminal case, will an upright judge allow himself off the bench to be waylaid by some tender kinswoman of the accused seeking to tough him with her tearful plea?

10. 10 Good and Evil Billy Budd by Melville Billy Budd by Melville And the sailing master says And the sailing master says Can we not convict and yet mitigate the penalty? Can we not convict and yet mitigate the penalty?

11. 11 Good and Evil Billy Budd by Melville Billy Budd by Melville What does Vere mean when he says, What does Vere mean when he says, Consider the consequences of such clemency and arbitrary discipline Consider the consequences of such clemency and arbitrary discipline No, to the people the foretopman’s deed, however it be worded in the announcement, will be plain homicide committed in a flagrant act of mutiny. What penalty for that should follow, they know. But it does not follow. Why? No, to the people the foretopman’s deed, however it be worded in the announcement, will be plain homicide committed in a flagrant act of mutiny. What penalty for that should follow, they know. But it does not follow. Why?

12. 12 Good and Evil Billy Budd by Melville Billy Budd by Melville What does Vere mean when he says, What does Vere mean when he says, Should a man-of-war’s violent killing at sea of a superior in grade be allowed to pass for aught else than a capital crime demanding prompt infliction of the penalty? Should a man-of-war’s violent killing at sea of a superior in grade be allowed to pass for aught else than a capital crime demanding prompt infliction of the penalty?

13. 13 Good and Evil Billy Budd by Melville Billy Budd by Melville Billy Budd was formally convicted and sentenced to be hung at the yardarm in the early morning watch Billy Budd was formally convicted and sentenced to be hung at the yardarm in the early morning watch The next morning, Billy Budd was hanged The next morning, Billy Budd was hanged Billy’s last words were “God bless Captain Vere” Billy’s last words were “God bless Captain Vere” The “Prodigal Son Parable” The “Prodigal Son Parable”

14. 14 Good and Evil The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky Why is there Evil? Why is there Evil? How would you describe Ivan? How would you describe Ivan? Why Why How would you describe Alyosha? How would you describe Alyosha? Why? Why?

15. 15 Good and Evil The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky Why is there Evil? Why is there Evil? Ivan questions? Ivan questions? Did man invent God? Did man invent God? If God was invented, could the idea come from such a savage, vicious beast? If God was invented, could the idea come from such a savage, vicious beast? Why is there suffering in the world? So we can know good and evil? Why does it cost so much to know good and evil? Why is there suffering in the world? So we can know good and evil? Why does it cost so much to know good and evil?

16. 16 Good and Evil The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky Why is there Evil? Why is there Evil? The story of the General and the boy The story of the General and the boy Were the actions of the General just? Were the actions of the General just? How did his actions affect him afterwards? How did his actions affect him afterwards?

17. 17 Good and Evil The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky Why is there Evil? Why is there Evil? Are men themselves to blame for good and evil? Are men themselves to blame for good and evil? They were given paradise, they wanted freedom, and stole fire from heaven, though they knew they would become unhappy, so there is no need to pity them They were given paradise, they wanted freedom, and stole fire from heaven, though they knew they would become unhappy, so there is no need to pity them

18. 18 Good and Evil The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky Why is there Evil? Why is there Evil? Ivan’s question to Alyosha is why do the children have to suffer? Ivan’s question to Alyosha is why do the children have to suffer? What have they done to deserve suffering? What have they done to deserve suffering? Would they have grown up to deserve suffering too? Would they have grown up to deserve suffering too?

19. 19 Good and Evil The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky Why is there Evil? Why is there Evil? What about the punishers of evil, are they not in fact evil? What about the punishers of evil, are they not in fact evil? Should we forgive everyone for their acts of evil? Should we forgive everyone for their acts of evil?

20. 20 Good and Evil Sophie’s Choice by Styron Sophie’s Choice by Styron What is Sophie’s position? What is Sophie’s position? What is her choice? What is her choice? How would you choose if you were in this situation? How would you choose if you were in this situation? Do you think you can answer truthfully without experiencing the moment? Do you think you can answer truthfully without experiencing the moment?

21. 21 Good and Evil The New Slavery by Bales The New Slavery by Bales Is there such evil in the world that people can treat other humans like Seba was treated? Is there such evil in the world that people can treat other humans like Seba was treated? What would compel a person to commit such acts? What would compel a person to commit such acts? Is this the reason we need morality? Is this the reason we need morality?

22. 22 Good and Evil The New Slavery by Bales The New Slavery by Bales First Come, First Serve First Come, First Serve How is it that a 4 year old child can understand this simple concept, yet adults allow discrimination and segregation to happen? How is it that a 4 year old child can understand this simple concept, yet adults allow discrimination and segregation to happen? Slavery ended in the U.S. in 1865. Bales learned that emancipation was a process, not an event. Slavery ended in the U.S. in 1865. Bales learned that emancipation was a process, not an event.

23. 23 Good and Evil The New Slavery by Bales The New Slavery by Bales What Does Race Have To Do With It? What Does Race Have To Do With It? Ethnic and racial differences were used to explain and excuse slavery Ethnic and racial differences were used to explain and excuse slavery The otherness of the slaves made it easier to employ the violence and cruelty necessary for total control The otherness of the slaves made it easier to employ the violence and cruelty necessary for total control Otherness could be defined in almost any way, religion, tribe, skin color, language, custom, economic class … Otherness could be defined in almost any way, religion, tribe, skin color, language, custom, economic class …

24. 24 Good and Evil The New Slavery by Bales The New Slavery by Bales What Does Race Have To Do With It? What Does Race Have To Do With It? The U.S. founding fathers had to go through moral, linguistic and political contortions to explain why their land of the free was only for white people The U.S. founding fathers had to go through moral, linguistic and political contortions to explain why their land of the free was only for white people They knew slavery was morally wrong, but also understood that slavery was lucrative They knew slavery was morally wrong, but also understood that slavery was lucrative Today too the morality of money overrides other concerns Today too the morality of money overrides other concerns

25. 25 Good and Evil From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie Institutionalized cruelty involves the undermining of dignity by perpetrating a false inequality of worth and power Institutionalized cruelty involves the undermining of dignity by perpetrating a false inequality of worth and power By degrading the victim, the victimizer exalts his own perception of self worth, but in reality becomes evil By degrading the victim, the victimizer exalts his own perception of self worth, but in reality becomes evil

26. 26 Good and Evil From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie Cruelty comes from the Latin bloodshed or raw flesh and involves the spilling of the blood Cruelty comes from the Latin bloodshed or raw flesh and involves the spilling of the blood Modern dictionary define cruelty as disposed to giving pain Modern dictionary define cruelty as disposed to giving pain Cruelty involves the maiming of a person’s dignity, the crushing of a person’s self respect Cruelty involves the maiming of a person’s dignity, the crushing of a person’s self respect

27. 27 Good and Evil From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie As human beings, deep humiliation is everything As human beings, deep humiliation is everything Humans also believe in hierarchies Humans also believe in hierarchies When we feel that were are not higher than dirt or filth, then our lives are maimed at the very center, in the very depths, not some localizable portion or our bodies When we feel that were are not higher than dirt or filth, then our lives are maimed at the very center, in the very depths, not some localizable portion or our bodies And when our lives are so maimed we become things, slaves, instruments And when our lives are so maimed we become things, slaves, instruments

28. 28 Good and Evil From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie The loss of self respect that the Saturnalia created in ancient Rome, say, made it possible to continue using the slaves as things, since they themselves cane to think of themselves as things, as sub human tools of the owners and the overseers The loss of self respect that the Saturnalia created in ancient Rome, say, made it possible to continue using the slaves as things, since they themselves cane to think of themselves as things, as sub human tools of the owners and the overseers Commitment that overrides all sentimentality transforms cruelty and destruction not moral nobility Commitment that overrides all sentimentality transforms cruelty and destruction not moral nobility

29. 29 Good and Evil From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie Cruelty and the Power Relationships Cruelty and the Power Relationships The power of the majority and the weakness of a minority are at the center of institutional cruelty for slavery and the Nazis The power of the majority and the weakness of a minority are at the center of institutional cruelty for slavery and the Nazis

30. 30 Good and Evil From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie Cruelty and the Power Relationships Cruelty and the Power Relationships One of the most important projects of slaveholders & their allies was that of seeing to it that the blacks themselves thought of themselves in these powerless terms One of the most important projects of slaveholders & their allies was that of seeing to it that the blacks themselves thought of themselves in these powerless terms They diminished both the respect the victimizers might have for their victims and the respect the victims might have for themselves They diminished both the respect the victimizers might have for their victims and the respect the victims might have for themselves

31. 31 Good and Evil From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie Cruelty and the Power Relationships Cruelty and the Power Relationships Cruelty then is a kind of power relationship and imbalance of power wherein the stronger party becomes the victimizer and the weaker becomes the victim Cruelty then is a kind of power relationship and imbalance of power wherein the stronger party becomes the victimizer and the weaker becomes the victim

32. 32 Good and Evil From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie Goodness Personified in Le Chambon Goodness Personified in Le Chambon They obeyed both the negative and positive injunctions of ethics They obeyed both the negative and positive injunctions of ethics They were good by being their brothers keeper, protecting the victim… They were good by being their brothers keeper, protecting the victim… They were also good in the sense that they obeyed the negative injunctions against killing and betraying They were also good in the sense that they obeyed the negative injunctions against killing and betraying

33. 33 Good and Evil From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie Goodness Personified in Le Chambon Goodness Personified in Le Chambon The opposite of the cruelties of the camps was not the liberation of the camps, this was the end of cruelty The opposite of the cruelties of the camps was not the liberation of the camps, this was the end of cruelty The opposite of cruelty was the hospitality of the people of Chambon The opposite of cruelty was the hospitality of the people of Chambon

34. 34 Good and Evil From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie Goodness Personified in Le Chambon Goodness Personified in Le Chambon At the center of thought was the belief that God showed how important man was be becoming himself a human being, and by becoming a particular sort of human being who was the embodiment of sacrificially generous love At the center of thought was the belief that God showed how important man was be becoming himself a human being, and by becoming a particular sort of human being who was the embodiment of sacrificially generous love

35. 35 Good and Evil From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie Goodness Personified in Le Chambon Goodness Personified in Le Chambon Not only to save the Jews, but also to save the Nazis and their collaborators Not only to save the Jews, but also to save the Nazis and their collaborators They wanted to keep the Nazis from blackening their souls with more evil, he wanted to save the Nazis, the victimizers, from evil They wanted to keep the Nazis from blackening their souls with more evil, he wanted to save the Nazis, the victimizers, from evil

36. 36 Good and Evil From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie Goodness Personified in Le Chambon Goodness Personified in Le Chambon One of the reasons was the Trocme (the minister) was successful was the Huguenots had been themselves persecuted for hundreds of years by the kings of France, they knew what persecution was One of the reasons was the Trocme (the minister) was successful was the Huguenots had been themselves persecuted for hundreds of years by the kings of France, they knew what persecution was

37. 37 Good and Evil From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie Goodness Personified in Le Chambon Goodness Personified in Le Chambon They saw no alternative to their actions and to the way they acted, and therefore they saw what they did as necessary, not something to be picked out for praise They saw no alternative to their actions and to the way they acted, and therefore they saw what they did as necessary, not something to be picked out for praise They believed that we are all children of God, and we must take care of each other lovingly They believed that we are all children of God, and we must take care of each other lovingly

38. 38 Good and Evil From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie A Choice of Perspectives A Choice of Perspectives One of the reasons institutional cruelty exists and persists is that people believe that individuals can do nothing One of the reasons institutional cruelty exists and persists is that people believe that individuals can do nothing Institutional cruelty blinds us to the victim’s point of view and when we are blind to that point of view we can perpetrate cruelty with impunity Institutional cruelty blinds us to the victim’s point of view and when we are blind to that point of view we can perpetrate cruelty with impunity

39. 39 Good and Evil From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie From Cruelty to Goodness by Hallie A Choice of Perspectives A Choice of Perspectives The Holocaust was storm, lightning, thunder, wind, rain and Le Chambon was the rainbow The Holocaust was storm, lightning, thunder, wind, rain and Le Chambon was the rainbow Practice random acts of kindness Practice random acts of kindness

40. 40 Good and Evil Wickedness by Benn Wickedness by Benn Selfishness Selfishness The person pursues their own good, disregarding the rights and good of others The person pursues their own good, disregarding the rights and good of others Conscientious Wickedness Conscientious Wickedness The person is unconditionally loyal to a person or group even when it does evil The person is unconditionally loyal to a person or group even when it does evil

41. 41 Good and Evil Wickedness by Benn Wickedness by Benn Heteronomous Wickedness Heteronomous Wickedness The person abdicates personal responsibility for their actions The person abdicates personal responsibility for their actions Pathological wickedness Pathological wickedness The person makes evil their highest value The person makes evil their highest value This is the worst kind of wickedness because in inverts evil into a value to be sought for its own sake This is the worst kind of wickedness because in inverts evil into a value to be sought for its own sake

42. 42 Good and Evil Beyond Good and Evil by Nietzsche Beyond Good and Evil by Nietzsche We all seek not happiness, but to affirm ourselves, to flourish and dominate We all seek not happiness, but to affirm ourselves, to flourish and dominate Since we are essentially unequal in ability, intelligence and imagination, it follows that the fittest will survive and be victorious in the contest with the weaker and the baser Since we are essentially unequal in ability, intelligence and imagination, it follows that the fittest will survive and be victorious in the contest with the weaker and the baser Isn’t this the opposite of what Hobbes believes? Isn’t this the opposite of what Hobbes believes?

43. 43 Good and Evil Beyond Good and Evil by Nietzsche Beyond Good and Evil by Nietzsche But this process is hampered by Judeo Christian morality But this process is hampered by Judeo Christian morality Nietzsche calls this “Slave Morality” which was invented by jealous priests, that were envious and resentful of the excellent and powerful, advocates that we become meek and mild, that we believe the lie of all humans having equal worth Nietzsche calls this “Slave Morality” which was invented by jealous priests, that were envious and resentful of the excellent and powerful, advocates that we become meek and mild, that we believe the lie of all humans having equal worth

44. 44 Good and Evil Beyond Good and Evil by Nietzsche Beyond Good and Evil by Nietzsche Why do we have society and who is it for? Why do we have society and who is it for? Nietzsche says society is not allowed to exist for its own sake, but only as a foundation and scaffolding by means of which a select class of beings may be able to elevate themselves to their higher duties, and in general to a higher existence Nietzsche says society is not allowed to exist for its own sake, but only as a foundation and scaffolding by means of which a select class of beings may be able to elevate themselves to their higher duties, and in general to a higher existence

45. 45 Good and Evil Beyond Good and Evil by Nietzsche Beyond Good and Evil by Nietzsche What is the “Master Morality?” What is the “Master Morality?” Nobility? Nobility? What is the “Slave Morality?” What is the “Slave Morality?” Utilitarian? Utilitarian? What are “Middle Class Measuring Rods?” What are “Middle Class Measuring Rods?”

46. 46 Good and Evil On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor The rules and practices that either promote cooperation toward meeting our desires or resolve interpersonal conflict are right rules and practices The rules and practices that either promote cooperation toward meeting our desires or resolve interpersonal conflict are right rules and practices Rules and practices that hinder cooperation and conflict resolution are wrong ones Rules and practices that hinder cooperation and conflict resolution are wrong ones

47. 47 Good and Evil On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor Men as Conative Beings Men as Conative Beings Men have needs, desires and goals, they pursue ends, they have certain wants and generally go about trying satisfy them in various ways Men have needs, desires and goals, they pursue ends, they have certain wants and generally go about trying satisfy them in various ways

48. 48 Good and Evil On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor Men as Conative Beings Men as Conative Beings Important Points Important Points Deliberate human activity is generally interpreted as goal directed Deliberate human activity is generally interpreted as goal directed The goal might be exceedingly trivial and of only momentary significance The goal might be exceedingly trivial and of only momentary significance Reason appears to enter into men’s purposeful activity primarily to devise the means to attain the ends Reason appears to enter into men’s purposeful activity primarily to devise the means to attain the ends

49. 49 Good and Evil On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor Conative as the Precondition of Good and Evil Conative as the Precondition of Good and Evil The rules of society were not in place waiting for men to discover them The rules of society were not in place waiting for men to discover them Men have created the rules, laws conventions, customs and morals Men have created the rules, laws conventions, customs and morals

50. 50 Good and Evil On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor The Emergence of Good and Evil The Emergence of Good and Evil In the beginning, there is no good and no evil, there is nothing but bare facts In the beginning, there is no good and no evil, there is nothing but bare facts Those things that are good, one finds satisfying to his needs and desire and those bad to which he reacts in the opposite way Those things that are good, one finds satisfying to his needs and desire and those bad to which he reacts in the opposite way The judgments of the solitary being concerns only good and evil and no moral obligation has arisen The judgments of the solitary being concerns only good and evil and no moral obligation has arisen

51. 51 Good and Evil On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor The Emergence of Right and Wrong The Emergence of Right and Wrong When more people are added, the aims or purposes of such people can conflict When more people are added, the aims or purposes of such people can conflict The possibility of mutual giving and taking thus presents itself, wherein each can benefit greatly at a small cost to the person The possibility of mutual giving and taking thus presents itself, wherein each can benefit greatly at a small cost to the person

52. 52 Good and Evil On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor Right and Wrong as Relative to Rules Right and Wrong as Relative to Rules If needs are to satisfied and goals fulfilled, then situations of conflict and situations of cooperation must be resolved in the context of rules If needs are to satisfied and goals fulfilled, then situations of conflict and situations of cooperation must be resolved in the context of rules The good of each is enhanced at no significant cost The good of each is enhanced at no significant cost But some may use the rule to promote the very evil the rule was meant to avoid But some may use the rule to promote the very evil the rule was meant to avoid

53. 53 Good and Evil On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor On the Origin of Good and Evil by Taylor Right and Wrong as Relative to Rules Right and Wrong as Relative to Rules So, right is simply the adherence to the rules and wrong is the violation of it So, right is simply the adherence to the rules and wrong is the violation of it