Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Dougherty,T/Rysiew,P, Anaxagoras and Richard Taylor

unexpand these ideas     |    start again     |     choose another area for these philosophers

display all the ideas for this combination of philosophers

---

5 ideas

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / b. Basis of virtue

5076	To Greeks it seemed obvious that the virtue of anything is the perfection of its function [Taylor,R]
	Full Idea: To the Greeks it seemed obvious that the virtue of anything is the perfection of its function.
	From: Richard Taylor (Virtue Ethics: an Introduction [2002], Ch.10)
	A reaction: A problem case might be a work of art, but one might reply that there is no obvious perfection there because there is no clear function. For artefacts and organisms the principle seems very good. But 'Is the Cosmos good?'

23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / g. Contemplation

18231	Anaxagoras said a person would choose to be born to contemplate the ordered heavens [Anaxagoras]
	Full Idea: When Anaxagoras was asked what it was for which a person would choose to be born rather than not, he said it would be to apprehend the heavens and the order in the whole universe.
	From: Anaxagoras (fragments/reports [c.460 BCE], 1216), quoted by Aristotle - Eudemian Ethics 8 'Finality'
	A reaction: [Anaxagoras, quoted by Aristotle, quoted by Korsgaard, quoted by me, and then quoted by you, perhaps]

23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 1. Deontology

5077	The modern idea of obligation seems to have lost the idea of an obligation 'to' something [Taylor,R]
	Full Idea: In modern moral thinking, obligation is something every responsible person is supposed to have, but it is not an obligation to the state, or society, or humanity, or even to God. It is an obligation standing by itself.
	From: Richard Taylor (Virtue Ethics: an Introduction [2002], Ch.12)
	A reaction: This nicely pinpoints how some our moral attitudes are relics of religion. Taylor wants a return to virtue, but one could respond by opting for the social contract (with very clear obligations) or Kantian 'contractualism' (answering to rational beings).

23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 2. Duty

5066	If we are made in God's image, pursuit of excellence is replaced by duty to obey God [Taylor,R]
	Full Idea: Once people are declared to be images of God, just by virtue of minimal humanity, they have, therefore, no greater individual excellence to aspire to, and their purpose became one of obligation, that is, obedience to God's will.
	From: Richard Taylor (Virtue Ethics: an Introduction [2002], Ch.2)
	A reaction: An interesting and plausible historical analysis. There is a second motivation for the change, though, in Grotius's desire to develop a more legalistic morality, focusing on actions rather than character. Taylor's point is more interesting, though.

5065	The ethics of duty requires a religious framework [Taylor,R]
	Full Idea: The ethics of duty cannot be sustained independently of a religious framework.
	From: Richard Taylor (Virtue Ethics: an Introduction [2002], Ch.2)
	A reaction: This is a big challenge to Kant, echoing Nietzsche's jibe that Kant just wanted to be 'obedient'. The only options are either 'natural duties', or 'duties of reason'. Reason may have a pull (like pleasure), but a 'duty'? Difficult.