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Single Idea 19738
[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 1. Nature of Ethics / c. Purpose of ethics
]
Full Idea
Our system of values should be understood, among other things, as our attempt to cope with contingencies by making the connection between our well-being and actions less contingent and more within our control.
Gist of Idea
Values are an attempt to achieve well-being by bringing contingencies under control
Source
John Kekes (The Human Condition [2010], Intro)
Book Ref
Kekes,John: 'The Human Condition' [OUP 2010], p.4
A Reaction
He gives an account in which every aspect of morality focuses on human well-being. Of course, the values will dictate what constitutes that well-being, as well as good means of attaining it.
The
27 ideas
from 'The Human Condition'
19738
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Values are an attempt to achieve well-being by bringing contingencies under control
[Kekes]
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20145
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Values help us to control life, by connecting it to what is stable and manageable
[Kekes]
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20146
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'Luck' is the unpredictable and inexplicable intersection of causal chains
[Kekes]
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20148
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Equal distribution is no good in a shortage, because there might be no one satisfied
[Kekes]
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20149
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To control our actions better, make them result from our attitudes, not from circumstances
[Kekes]
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20150
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There are far more values than we can pursue, so they are optional possibilities
[Kekes]
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20151
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Our attitudes include what possibilities we value, and also what is allowable, and unthinkable
[Kekes]
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20152
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Unconditional commitments are our most basic convictions, saying what must never be done
[Kekes]
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20153
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Doing the unthinkable damages ourselves, so it is more basic than any value
[Kekes]
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20154
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Control is the key to well-being
[Kekes]
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20155
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Society is alienating if it lacks our values, and its values repel us
[Kekes]
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20156
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We are bound to regret some values we never aspired to
[Kekes]
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20157
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Well-being needs correct attitudes and well-ordered commitments to local values
[Kekes]
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20158
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Innumerable values arise for us, from our humanity, our culture, and our individuality
[Kekes]
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20159
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Cultural values are interpretations of humanity, conduct, institutions, and evaluations
[Kekes]
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20161
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The big value problems are evil (humanity), disenchantment (cultures), and boredom (individuals)
[Kekes]
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20162
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Evil isn't explained by nature, by monsters, by uncharacteristic actions, or by society
[Kekes]
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20164
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The ideal of an ideology is embodied in a text, a role model, a law of history, a dream of the past...
[Kekes]
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20163
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Ideologies have beliefs about reality, ideals, a gap with actuality, and a program
[Kekes]
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20165
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Reason and morality do not coincide; immorality can be reasonable, with an ideology
[Kekes]
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20169
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An action may be intended under one description, but not under another
[Kekes]
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20170
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Responsibility is unprovoked foreseeable harm, against society, arising from vicious character
[Kekes]
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20171
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Practical reason is not universal and impersonal, because it depends on what success is
[Kekes]
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20172
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Boredom destroys our ability to evaluate
[Kekes]
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20173
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Boredom is apathy and restlessness, yearning for something interesting
[Kekes]
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20174
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Relativists say all values are relative; pluralists concede much of that, but not 'human' values
[Kekes]
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20175
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If morality has to be rational, then moral conflicts need us to be irrational and immoral
[Kekes]
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