Ethical Philosophers: Vázquez, Aristotle, Einstein, and Balmes
Adolfo Sánchez Vázquez
Adolfo Sánchez Vázquez was a Mexican philosopher, writer, and professor born in Spain. He emigrated to Mexico after the fall of the Second Spanish Republic and adopted an open, critically refreshing version of Marxism. In ethics, he opposed normativism. Notable works include Burning Pulse and Ethics and Politics.
The main theme of his work revolves around the meaning of moral and ethical concepts.
Ethics is closely linked to morality, but the two are not identical and should not be confused. Ethics does not create morality; rather, effective morality implies certain principles, rules, or standards that ethics do not establish.
Ethics examines social and historical experiences in the field of morals, using actual moral foundations to establish its essence (origin, objective conditions, nature, etc.). Ethics is the theory or science of moral behavior in society.
Aristotle
Aristotle, a philosopher who studied at the Academy under Plato, founded the Lyceum School, where he researched and taught logic, physics, metaphysics, ethics, and politics. His works from the fourth century BC include Great Ethics.
The main theme is the nature of virtue and its classification, according to Aristotle. Key ideas include:
- Human virtue is attributed to the soul.
- The soul has a rational part and an irrational part (vegetative, lustful).
- Virtue is distinguished according to this division.
He categorizes virtues as dianoetic (intellectual) and ethical (moral). Dianoetic virtues include wisdom, intelligence, and prudence, while ethical virtues include freedom and temperance.
Ethical Dilemma: The Captive Will
The captive will is a problem that raises ethical debates about the moral responsibility of individuals.
When a person loses their will due to indoctrination by another, they no longer act independently. They are easily manipulated by their mentor (as in cults) and carry out orders without considering the consequences, simply following them.
Einstein
Albert Einstein, a German scientist of the 20th century, formulated the theory of relativity, revolutionizing our understanding of gravity. He also laid the foundations of statistical physics and quantum mechanics and won the Nobel Prize in Physics. Notable works include On Humanism and More Ideas and Opinions.
The main theme is the importance of teaching values and the manner in which it should be done, emphasizing that values cannot be learned as a mere specialty.
If we learn values as a specialty, we risk becoming simple machines, lacking a harmonious personality. To develop such a personality, it is necessary to understand and internalize values, maintaining a distinction between what is right and what is morally good.
Jaime Balmes
Jaime Balmes was a Spanish philosopher, theologian, apologist, sociologist, and political essayist, considered a new scholar. His works include Fundamental Philosophy and Criteria.
The main theme is moral ideas in humans (man as a moral being). Key ideas include:
- Moral ideas (good, bad, virtue, etc.) exist in all people, at all times and places.
- Everyone uses and understands this moral language.
- Moral ideas are rules of conduct and practices.
- The constituent elements of moral ideas are found in reason, conscience, and common sense.