Ethics
Defining Terms
Bell Ringer: Ethical
Conundrum
Test Case: Lying
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it ever morally permissible?
Is it ever morally right?
The Noble Lie:
From Plato’s Republic
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Comes to us from Plato (via Socrates in the Republic)
“Myth of Metals”: Gold, Silver, Iron (Bronze or copper)
A lie told to improve the overall functioning of
society/state. Some people are too dumb to
understand the necessity of virtue. Therefore, a lie
told to improve their outlook and productivity is
needed.
False propaganda for public welfare is acceptable.
Can you think of a Noble Lie in our society?
Key Terms of the Ethics Unit
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Moral Philosophy: The Search for the best way
to live and the right principles to guide our
actions
Good Will: Acting on moral principles that are
justifiable by practical reason
Morality: Set of principles that guide our actions
Duty: Something one ought to do
Good Life: ???? (pg. 245). It does refer to the
end-goal, not simply the means of achieving
this end. “The End in itself.”
Methods of Achieving a Good Life
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Hedonism (245):The Good life is getting as
much pleasure in one’s life and avoiding as much
pain as possible. –Epicurus
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Success (247): Achieving a decent social status
and respectability in society (wealth usually a
determining factor) -William James
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Asceticism (248): The Good life is one of
simplicity –oftentimes denying worldly pleasures.
-Diogenes/Jesus/Buddha
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Freedom (249):The Good life is one free of
responsibility and social obligations. -Dostoevsky
Methods of Achieving a Good Life
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Power & Creativity (250): “Will to Power”
Man desires the power to grow as a person
and to develop one’s talents, to create.
–Nietzsche
Religion (250): Devoting one’s life to
following a religious doctrine;
“religion…permeates and dominates [all
other desires].” –Paul Tillich & Kierkegaard
Happiness/Eudemonia (251): That which is
desired for its own sake and not for the sake of
anything else. Happiness is not one activity,
but the result of many activities. -Aristotle
Your Method for the Good Life
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After examining various attempts at living “the Good life” it is
time for you to attempt to express your opinion on the Good Life.
1). What does it mean to live the Good Life? What ought we want
out of life?
2). What about life should we just accept and move on rather than
try to ‘solve’?
3). Respond to Nietzsche’s ‘Power & Creativity’ theory. What is he
saying? Is he right? Explain.
4). Choose a specific method of achieving the Good Life. Re-read
that section. Provide two criticisms or supporting claims for
that method of achieving the Good Life.
5). What criticism does the textbook have for the methods of a
good life as laid down in all of the concepts we’ve examined
thus far (Hint: it’s after Aristotle’s version of the good life).