Human Nature and Morality: A Humean Perspective
Hume’s Ethics
Locke’s Influence
For Locke, individuals in their natural state are free and equal. This view aligns neither with Rousseau’s belief that “men are naturally good” nor with Hobbes’ assertion that “men are naturally bad”. Locke posits that men, while capable of violating the rights of others (and thus not inherently good), possess an innate moral law discoverable through reason (and thus not inherently bad). Furthermore, individuals have inherent rights, particularly the right to property.
Read MoreMarx, Nietzsche, and Philosophical Concepts
Marx’s Humanism
Theory of Alienation
Humanism: Man is essentially a producer, a worker. Man transforms nature, humanizing it and himself. Objectification is natural to man; lack of objectivity leads to lack of realization. Man is a social being, coinciding with humanity, held socially. Man is a historical being, made dialectically through history.
Alienation: Losing our essence as human beings. Types include alienation from the product of work, the activity of work, nature, and other men.
Historical
Read MoreRepublicanism and Feminist Political Philosophy
Considering Freedom’s Fundamental Value
Freedom has been categorized as either positive (active) or negative (passive). Antics emphasized citizens’ freedom to participate in government, while moderns prioritize a sphere of action free from interference. A specific concept of freedom is freedom as non-domination. The freedom provided by law is not unlimited, but it guarantees against interference in your life and opinions. Outside the law, there is no freedom. This restriction is acceptable because
Read MorePlato’s Theory of Forms and Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics
Plato’s World of Ideas
Plato posits two worlds: the sensible world of appearances perceived by the senses, and the intelligible world of Ideas. Doxa concerns the sensible world’s objects, not constituting true knowledge, while episteme concerns the intelligible world’s objects, the authentic reality.
Ideas are substances, the authentic reality. The supreme Idea is that of the Good, illuminating all others and holding them in being.
Plato believed in the preexistence of souls, referencing pre-existing
Read MoreAristotle’s Virtues: Dianoetic, Ethics, and Prudence
Aristotle’s Virtue Theory
In Book VI of the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle explores virtues, defining them as habits developed through learning and practice. These virtues guide us towards happiness, our ultimate goal.
Types of Virtues
Aristotle classifies virtues into two types:
- Dianoetic (Intellectual) Virtues: Related to reason and knowledge.
- Theoretical Knowledge: Science, wisdom, intelligence.
- Technical Knowledge: Art, rational production.
- Practical Knowledge: Prudence, guiding action and behavior.
Kant’s Philosophy: Practical Reason, Ethics, and Metaphysics
Kant thought that rational human activity is not limited to knowledge of objects; humans also need to know how to act. Reason has a moral function (What do I do?). This dual role of reason is expressed through the distinction between pure and practical reason. Theoretical reason makes judgments, and practical reason makes imperatives and commands.
A universal and rational ethics must be a priori and independent in its requirements; the subject must determine how to act and give itself the law. Therefore,