PHL101H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Groundwork Of The Metaphysic Of Morals, Normative Ethics
Document Summary
The worth of the law recommends outweigh the worth of every inclination (unconditionally good) Maxim (policy): i will never help others when they are in need . No contradiction in conceiving a world in which no one ever helps anyone (contradiction in conception) But there is a contradiction in the will. My end - (my various pursuits) but i am a limited being so i can"t know that i"ll not need the help of others in pursuing ends. I will an end but i do not will sufficient means to my end - a practical contradiction (i will to go to paris, but i do not pursue the means to get there. Utilitarianism is one of the most important positions in normative ethics. The principle of utility gives a criteria of right action. It is supposed to be the fundamental principle of morality. There must be a fundamental principle of morality (or a way of ordering competing principles)