Morality

What Is Morality?

Morality is the set of rules that govern our actions.

Alternative approaches:

• take account of others in deciding what we ought to do
• entirely self-interest based (egoism)
• good for it's own sake (rational)

The Ten Commandments are an example of moral rules.

From Above

Most moral rules come from above: God, parents, outside rules

Plato's Euthyphro

Question raised in this dialogue: Should we follow God's laws just because they are His or, rather, because His laws are good?

Conscience

What is the role of our conscience? How does our conscience decide what is right and wrong?

Autonomy

Immanuel Kant was of the view that morality is based on autonomy. The individual has the ability to decide what is right and wrong.

Key Moralists

Aristotle - morality is about being virtuous Hume and Rousseau - a matter of feeling Kant - morality is entirely reason based Utilitarians - morality is based on rules of thumb (happiness for the greatest number) Nietzsche (existentialists) - custom, societal, choice based Feminist - interpersonal relationships (vs principles and procedures)