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Single Idea 5078

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 1. Nature of Ethics / d. Ethical theory ]

Full Idea

Kant and Mill were in total agreement in trying to give content to the distinction between moral right and wrong, without recourse to any divine lawgiver.

Gist of Idea

Kant and Mill both try to explain right and wrong, without a divine lawgiver

Source

Richard Taylor (Virtue Ethics: an Introduction [2002], Ch.14)

Book Ref

Taylor,Richard: 'Virtue Ethics: an Introduction' [Prometheus 2002], p.90


A Reaction

A nice analysis, in tune with MacIntyre and others, who see such attempts as failures. It is hard, however, to deny the claims of rational principles, or of suffering, in our moral framework. I agree with Taylor's move back to virtue, but it ain't simple.


The 8 ideas from 'Virtue Ethics: an Introduction'

To Greeks it seemed obvious that the virtue of anything is the perfection of its function [Taylor,R]
The modern idea of obligation seems to have lost the idea of an obligation 'to' something [Taylor,R]
Kant and Mill both try to explain right and wrong, without a divine lawgiver [Taylor,R]
Pleasure can have a location, and be momentary, and come and go - but happiness can't [Taylor,R]
Morality based on 'forbid', 'permit' and 'require' implies someone who does these things [Taylor,R]
If we are made in God's image, pursuit of excellence is replaced by duty to obey God [Taylor,R]
The ethics of duty requires a religious framework [Taylor,R]
'Eudaimonia' means 'having a good demon', implying supreme good fortune [Taylor,R]