On the objectivity annd universality of ethics & morality

Should you think about your duty, or about the consequences of your actions? Or should you concentrate on becoming a good person?

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prof
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Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2012 1:57 am

On the objectivity annd universality of ethics & morality

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Recently a philosophically-minded student wrote this:
"Ethics are described as a system of moral principles.

What is a principle? In science principles are not arbitrarily chosen. They are a explanation of how something functions.

Principles are how we do these things truthfully and choosing the right groupings of principles is how we do it well and morally. They are guidelines that explain the best way to lie, cheat, and even murder. These are not moral principles. Ethical principles underlie everything we do."

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I agree with Alan Donagan, who in his book The Theory of Morality (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1977) argues that there is a coherent theory underlying the general moral outlook and behavior of all (normal) people, though it is not necessarily consciously expressed.

He explains that rules of ethics are not basic, nor are rights, or virtues. Instead these are all generated by a more fundamental assumption: persons are valuable in themselves.
Thus, the reason why murder is wrong has nothing to do with the maximization of happiness, much less the command of a deity, or the exercise of virtue, but the fact that murder results in the destruction of something intrinsically valuable, a human life.
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In response to those who are impressed by the case for Cultural Relativism and why - they believe - this has to block progress in finding universal laws for Ethics, Dr. James Franklin, a Professor of Mathematics and Philosophy, makes these profound observations:
Mathematics makes a clear distinction between basic principles and the deductions made from them, or their consequences in different circumstances.

The mathematical laws of planetary motion are exactly the same for Mercury and the Moon, but the laws prescribe different orbits for the two bodies, since they are in different places and have different forces acting on them.
Some who have gone to school, and paid attention in their Math classes, will recognize this as the concept of a “function.” When numbers (called “constants”) for unknown variables are put into the function one gets outputs. To quote Dr. Franklin further, on the relevance of all this to Ethics…..
“For the same reason, basic ethical principles of respect for persons will prescribe different actions and ustoms for a small tribe at subsistence level from those suitable for a complex welfare state.

Since the invariance and objectivity of basic ethical principles prescribes a diversity of outcomes, the onus is on someone arguing from cultural diversity to show that the observed diversity cannot be explained by the interaction of universal principles with diverse circumstances. As has been observed by several critics, that task has rarely been seriously attempted.

Since the invariance and objectivity of basic ethical principles prescribes a diversity of outcomes, the onus is on someone arguing from cultural diversity to show that the observed diversity cannot be explained by the interaction of universal principles with diverse circumstances. As has been observed by several critics, that task has rarely been seriously attempted."

In the papers linked to below, I have striven to find some 'universal' principles for normal people all over the planet. They apply to every civilized individual: Know Yourself. Choose (to be) Yourself. Create (the talents and potentials within) Yourself. Give Yourself; (express your gifts, so as to: Minimize suffering. Maximize well-being and Quality of life (for all you can)). And thereby create value.

I wish for all of you a Quality Life.

And in doing so, I am looking out for my own Self-Interest.

For I regard you as my support team. Everyone has a contribution to make.

After you have read and studied the dialogs (to which you will finds links below - they are all PDF files, safe to open), let me know your impressions. I welcome suggestions for improvement and ideas as to how to upgrade the theory, tighten it up, enhance it. So please help the project out here. [The author.]
BASIC ETHICS: a systematic approach (2014)
http://tinyurl.com/mfcgzfz

For the paper, LIVING THE GOOD LIFE, use this one:
http://tinyurl.com/28mtn56

For the booklet A UNIFIED THEORY OF ETHICS, use
http://tinyurl.com/crz6xea

For the booklet ETHICAL ADVENTURES
http://tinyurl.com/38zfrh7

For the essay, ETHICAL EXPLORATIONS
http://tinyurl.com/22ohd2x

For the paper ASPECTS OF ETHICS
http://tinyurl.com/36u6gpo
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FlashDangerpants
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Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2016 11:54 pm

Re: On the objectivity annd universality of ethics & morality

Post by FlashDangerpants »

Does anyone ever accept your homework assignments?
I tried reading one of your links and it was obviously fatally flawed within 10 pages.

I'm not reading the rest of that drivel if the self selected professor of this shit can't put an argument together in his own words.
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