Philosophical Schools of Philosophical Schools of ThoughtThought

ABSOLUTISMABSOLUTISM

RELATIVISMRELATIVISM

EMPIRICISMEMPIRICISM

HEDONISMHEDONISM

QUIETISMQUIETISM

CYNICISMCYNICISM

Objectivism/Objectivism/AbsolutismAbsolutism

There is fundamentally one & only one There is fundamentally one & only one good life for all to lead…good life for all to lead…

Subjectivism/Subjectivism/RelativismRelativism

There is no absolute determination of There is no absolute determination of moralitymorality

Truth is relative to the individual & Truth is relative to the individual & circumstancescircumstances

Moral judgments are neither true or falseMoral judgments are neither true or false Truth & false can only be interpreted by Truth & false can only be interpreted by

each individualeach individual

EmpiricismEmpiricism

Believes that we should only trust what we Believes that we should only trust what we experience personallyexperience personally

Measured by and filtered through the Measured by and filtered through the sensessenses

HedonismHedonism

Comes from the Greek word for pleasureComes from the Greek word for pleasure Pleasure alone is goodPleasure alone is good All happiness is a function of pleasureAll happiness is a function of pleasure Hippie motto: “If it feels good, do it.”Hippie motto: “If it feels good, do it.” Differs from Epicureanism – pain negates Differs from Epicureanism – pain negates

pleasure – hedonism makes no such pleasure – hedonism makes no such distinctiondistinction

QuietismQuietism

Eastern/Oriental ethical philosophyEastern/Oriental ethical philosophy Accept adversityAccept adversity Though we suffer, it’s our ethical duty to Though we suffer, it’s our ethical duty to

make the best of thingsmake the best of things Submission in tranquility & meditationSubmission in tranquility & meditation Physical world of the senses is an illusionPhysical world of the senses is an illusion Truth & happiness transcends the material Truth & happiness transcends the material

worldworld

CynicismCynicism

Assumes the world is fundamentally evilAssumes the world is fundamentally evil To live righteously – withdraw from To live righteously – withdraw from

participation in the worldparticipation in the world Possession of material goods c/n create Possession of material goods c/n create

happiness – creates constant striving, happiness – creates constant striving, continual disappointment, dissatisfactioncontinual disappointment, dissatisfaction

True happiness resides within eachTrue happiness resides within each Live frugal, solitary life shunning world’s Live frugal, solitary life shunning world’s

goodsgoods