Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Nature and Observability of Causal Relations', 'Continental Philosophy - V. Short Intro' and 'The Laws'

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5 ideas

22. Metaethics / B. Value / 1. Nature of Value / f. Ultimate value
7067 Food first, then ethics [Critchley]
     Full Idea: Food first, then ethics.
     From: Simon Critchley (Continental Philosophy - V. Short Intro [2001], 8857)
     A reaction: This is not a dismissal of philosophy, but a key fact which ethical philosophers must face up to. See Mr Doolittle's speech in Shaw's 'Pygmalion. It connects to the debate c.1610 about whether one is entitled to grab someone's plank to avoid drowning.
22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / g. Consequentialism
265 An action is only just if it is performed by someone with a just character and outlook [Plato]
     Full Idea: The description 'just' is applicable only to the benefit conferred or injury inflicted by someone with a just character and outlook.
     From: Plato (The Laws [c.348 BCE], 862b)
     A reaction: How should we describe the occasional administering of good justice by a generally wicked judge. Greeks focus on character, but moderns focus on actions.
22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / i. Moral luck
269 Attempted murder is like real murder, but we should respect the luck which avoided total ruin [Plato]
     Full Idea: An attempted murder should be treated like a successful one, but with respect shown for the luck which saved him from total ruin.
     From: Plato (The Laws [c.348 BCE], 877a)
     A reaction: The earliest reference to moral luck, I think. 'Repect' sounds vague, but it is asking judges to 'take it into consideration', which is quite practical. Attempted murderers are just as dangerous.
22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / c. Value of pleasure
240 It would be strange if the gods rewarded those who experienced the most pleasure in life [Plato]
     Full Idea: It would be strange if the gods gave the greatest rewards in heaven to those who led the most pleasant life, rather than the most just.
     From: Plato (The Laws [c.348 BCE], 662c)
     A reaction: All of philosophy is just footnotes to Plato.... See Idea 1454.
22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / f. Dangers of pleasure
264 The conquest of pleasure is the noblest victory of all [Plato]
     Full Idea: The conquest of pleasure is the noblest victory of all.
     From: Plato (The Laws [c.348 BCE], 840c)
     A reaction: Plato's puritanical streak. Even Aristotle doesn't agree with this. Self-control does not imply conquest of pleasure. Has a good professional wine taster conquered pleasure?