Ethical Theories, Happiness, and Human Rights
Ethical Theory
In the moral sphere, we hold elections to elect. We begin to move both our hearts (sentiments, desires, and affections) as our reason (intelligence). If we make decisions, it is because we want things, but we also want to make reasonable choices.
Negative duties are formulated as a prohibition, ordering what should not be done. Positive duties require a particular action to be performed. For example, not killing is a negative duty, while assisting a wounded person is a positive duty.
“Our own reason is the legislation that gives us the ability to behave authentically. Therefore, these laws send an unconditional promise not to change happiness: only the promise to make his own humanity.” That is, they are expressed as categorical imperatives.
Aristotelian Tradition
The last order believes that our last order would be happiness, but as we are beings endowed besides reason (logos), it means we can choose what leads us to happiness.
“A prudent person is one that by doing something, you should think about it for all his life. The wise’s webcam always offers good ends, but only the prudent are capable. Those who dominate other arts apply moral principles to discern which wishes should be satisfied.”
The Mean
In every choice situation, we build on the strengths reported by Aristotle. Courage is a mean between recklessness and cowardice, just as prudence is the average.
Acquiring Prudence
It is necessary to recall, learn, be circumspect (consider the largest number of circumstances), and ultimately sharpen the ability to foresee the future.
Learn to Choose Well
- Choose a profession taking into account our capacities.
- Have good friends and partners.
- Engage in leisure activities.
- Have political ideas.
- Have an attitude toward religion.
Hedonism Tradition
Pleasure as a Goal
Epicurus stated: “All living beings seek pleasure and flee from pain. Happiness consists of organizing our lives to achieve maximum pleasure and minimum pain.” For this reason, moral reason will be a calculator.
Individual and Social Hedonism
It is individualistic and aims for the individual to achieve the greatest pleasure, although in modern hedonism it will become social and take the name of utilitarianism, which believes humans are endowed with social feelings. Thus, the moral principle is the greatest happiness for the greatest possible number of beings.
“Calculating reason, according to Epicurus, distinguishes between stable pleasures and positive pleasures, introduces an arithmetic of pleasures. Jeremy Bentham says pleasures differ by quality.”
Happiness and Pleasure
Pleasure is to get a sensible satisfaction, while happiness is self-realization.
Happiness and Well-being
Happiness consists of:
- Fear of boredom or tedium: If you fall into drugs, it is over.
- Excessive competitiveness: Be very competitive without neglecting your relationships with friends.
- Stress: Many things we worry about do not matter.
- Envy: Do not envy what is not yours, but desire it and no other happy person.
- Feeling of guilt: Do not feel guilty if you have everything.
- Persecution mania: Sometimes it seems everyone is against us and that everything goes wrong.
- Fear of what others will say.
Human Rights
There are two types:
- Universal: They must be recognized for all human beings, without excluding anyone. Every human being must be treated as an equal.
- Preferred: In the sense that, in conflict with other rights, human rights must be protected preferably and as a priority. For example, the right to life and health for all must be addressed urgently before addressing economic rights.
- Inalienable: They do not expire, do not prescribe, but are valid for everyone at all times.
- Non-transferable: You cannot assign or transfer them to others. For example, my right to vote is mine and yours is yours.
- Indivisible, interdependent, non-negotiable: All human rights are equally important, since they complement each other.
In short, human rights are the most basic moral requirements that must be met to show respect for the dignity of people.
Three Generations of Human Rights
First Generation: Rights of Freedom
This is the generation of civil and political rights. These are the right to life and physical integrity, to think and express oneself freely, to move freely, to participate in the government of one’s own country.
Second Generation: Rights
These are economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the right to employment and fair wages, housing, health, education, culture, and a pension.
Third Generation: Rights of Solidarity
Everyone is born and lives in a healthy environment, the right to be born and live in a society at peace, and the right to development.