PHIL355 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Categorical Imperative, Rational Basis Review
15 Sep 2017
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Everything else is instrumentally good (good as a means to achieving happiness) Happiness is intrinsically good to every human being. More of a good is better than less (all other things being equal) There is no rational basis for assigning a higher priority to your own happiness than others. You ought to act for the greatest overall happiness of all affected. Personal satisfaction/happiness is not the only intrinsic good, nor the most important value. Most fundamental ethical principle: respect the autonomy of other persons (ie. not as means to your own ends) If utilitaria(cid:374)is(cid:373) (cid:449)ere true : we would value nothing in itself (intrinsically, this would put us on the same plane as an organism like a pig. What distinguishes humans: self-awareness (ex. mirror tests, reflection (of ourselves/our actions, reason. A uniquely human object of value: dignity. A uniquely human goal for social relations: respect. A uniquely human priority: respect > happiness.
