PHIL 1050 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité, Jeremy Bentham, French Revolution
14 Apr 2013
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Times changing, new ideas about liberty, equality, fraternity. New ideas about ethics emerging as well. Friend loved him and trying to end suffering, also obeying freud"s wishes. Church allows capital punishment and killing in war as exceptions. Intentional killing of innocent people is always wrong. Late 18th and 19th centuries = french revolution, american civil war, industrial revolution. The greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation. Principle of utility = requires us to produce the most happiness we can. Utilitarian approach radical: no references to god, moral rules, faithfulness, divinity. Sigmund freud suffering from cancer, inoperable, no more good days. Asks friend and physician to end his life and suffering, friend does. Christianity says: life = gift from god, only god chooses when to end it. Utilitarian says: killing freud to end agony and balance unhappiness with happiness = morally right.
