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 .

Plato - continued

Appetite – animal part containingprimitive 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

Plato - continued

Constant struggle between reason & lust for the allegiance of the spirit –

Spirit is the source of all action Reason must be the controlling factor

between appetite & spirit

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

The Doctrine of the Mean

Deficiency mean extreme/excess

fear courage foolhardiness dishonor proper pride arrogance excessive abstinence temperance self-indulgence

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

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

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

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)