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Lesson 8.defective Norms of Morality
Lesson 8.defective Norms of Morality
Hedonism
Utilitarianism
Moral Rationalism
Moral Positivism
Moral Evolutionism
Moral Sensism
Communism
Hedonism
Itis an ethical theory which holds that the
supreme end of man consists in the
acquisition of pleasure.
Sensible pleasures are the highest good of life.
Morality is grounded on the pleasure or
satisfaction that an act brings or entails.
The good action is the pleasant action.
The bad action is that which produces pain or
unhappiness.
Utilitarianism
Is a theory very much akin to Hedonism.
This norm of morality holds that actions are right in
proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as
they tend to produce unhappiness.
It makes “utility” the norm of morality.
Social/altruistic
utilitarianism – holds that an
act is good when it is conducive to the social
good or well-being
Commentary (Hedonism & Utilitarianism)
Merits
◦ It explains very well the emotional basis and
aspects of human action.
◦ It explains well the reason behind the doing of
action by most people
There is always some satisfaction accompanying the doing
of every good act.
There is no doubt that most people are motivated in their
action by their desire for satisfaction or happiness or well-
being.
Commentary (Hedonism & Utilitarianism)
Defects
Defects
◦ On Autonomy of Reason
Reason is the absolute law-maker, law-giver, law-abider.
(Autonomy of Reason)
Morality comes not from reason itself but from a higher and
other source than human reason. (Heteronomy of Reason)
Commentary (Moral Rationalism)
Defects
◦ Based on Heteronomy of Reason
◦ Human reason only sees things, but it does not make things.
◦ Human reason tells us the law, but it does not make the law.
◦ Moral law is not from human reason, it is not our own making,
but it is impose on us from a higher source.
◦ On Universalization of Reason
There are many acts which cannot be universalized.
Ex. Dying a hero’s death by martyrdom
Moral Evolutionism
This is the theory of all those who holds that
morality is never fixed or absolute, but is
continually changing and evolving gradually
into a perfect morality.
◦ Good, is that one which makes one strong, powerful, and most of
all super human, and bad is that which is productive of the weak.
Commentary (Moral Evolutionism)
The result – the chaotic, horrific, barbaric and
devastating World War II (German Invasion).
◦ Who thinks that they are the Aryan race (White
supremacy) superior to any other and destined to rule
and conquer the world.