The axiom of Ethics is:
Make things morally better!
Let’s define our terms: How do we make things better in general? We add value. What is “value”? Something has value when it has the properties necessary to fulfill its meaning. Value is a function of meaning; the more meaningful something is,, the more valuable it is. For purposes of measurement, a meaning can be considered as a set of descriptors – a subset of which is the definition of the concept of which the valued item or individual is a member. Everything falls under some concept, even a person has a self-concept, (consisting of a Proper Name, a material body along with a set of behaviors – one’s conduct - as well as “a Self”: [ a self-image, an identity, a set of principles one lives by, one’s value structure.])
What does “better” mean? It is a relation between two (or more) things that fall under the same concept. “x is better than y” if, and only if, x is a member of the class-concept C, y is a member of the class-concept C, and x has more of the C-properties than y has. In other words, one individual item is better than another individual item if it more fulfills the meaning of C than the other does; then it is more valuable. To be better is to be more valuable.
When we speak of morally better we are speaking of moral agents, of people. We have brought Individuals into the picture. Recall (from my previous threads and blogs - a list of a few are given below) that by definition “Ethics” is a body of knowledge, a study, a discipline that arises when a living conscious individual, or a group of such living individuals are seen in a certain way, namely, are viewed as Intrinsic values. When we Intrinsically-value someone we are being ethical. So Ethics is a perspective on people. {Let us at least grant that... before – as Peter Singer suggests we do - the concept may be extended, if you wish, to other conscious creatures.} Ethics is concerned with living people, and how we relate to them. It is not a matter of controversy that ethics deals with how we treat each other.
How does one add value?
For that, as you may recall, is 'what ethics is about,' as argued in a chapter – which bears the title "Adding Value-A central principle" - pp. 28-29, in my book, A Unified Theory of Ethics. http://tinyurl.com/crz6xea
The Axiom, once it is accepted as reasonable, directs us to add value or to make things better. This is a creative process. Fortunately there are guidelines as to how one creates value in a situation. It is by being mindful of it, asking oneself questions, and intending to succeed in doing it. Then all the principles of success come into play.
For example, if one believes that cooperation would contribute to making things morally better, then the project becomes: How encourage cooperation, and further it along? Would it help to do so? Once the Axiom of Ethics, and the definition of Ethics, are found to be acceptable by you, the reader, lots of questions that start off with the word “How” arise. And these are questions to which science and technology can make contributions.
Let’s continue this discussion in subsequent posts. I’ve said enough for now to get the project started, haven’t I?
How do you feel about these points? Can you buy into it? If not, why not?. If you do, or if you don’t …make it better.
See also the initial post in these threads: The Beautiful Simplicity of Ethical Concepts viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9512Ethics in a Nutshell viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10509
Is there evidence for objective morality? viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9503
