Rational Ethics: Introduction, Part 3

A Basic Introduction to Rational Ethics, Part 3

Written version (of all parts) here: http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=1645895

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• virtue
• ethics
• consequentialism
• morality
• nihilism
• egoism
• eudaimonia
• compatibilism
• determinism
• objectivism

[TimerTwin]

Your series is a presentation of the study of happiness. That itself is compatible with moral nihilism, because studying happiness is matter of facts.

But, the second you say "you ought to be happy" you've made an unfounded claim... unless you redefine what the word "ought" means (which you have).

I think that's what FatGermanBastard is trying to critique about your series.

[XOmniverse]

I didn't say you ought to be happy. I said you do, as a matter of fact, act towards happiness with all of your actions.

[TimerTwin]

Does that count as ethics then? If all you're doing is studying how people can become happy, then you're still using an "is", and not an "ought".

[XOmniverse]

TimerTwin: Any successful bridging of the is-ought gap effectively makes all ought statements a type of is statement. The basic premise behind moral realism is that moral claims are factual claims about reality.

If we, by nature, DO pursue and want happiness (as a matter of fact), then it follows that we ought to do certain things if they will achieve that goal better than the other options.

[MaikUniversum]

now wait for moral nihilists to see your videos :D RAAAAGE :D

[XOmniverse]

FatGermanBastard is already going on a tirade where he accuses me of redefining words to avoid genuine philosophical problems.

I don't believe I have done this at all, nor do I believe I used non-standard or unusual definitions for anything.

[fede2]

aristotle kick's plato's ass!

[Moragauth]

What's the use of disconnected rambling?

[Esoparagon]

Honesty to yourself or honesty to others? Isn't it sometimes tactically beneficial to ones self interest to lie to others? In what way does one deny reality if they know they are telling a lie to someone else just to deceive them.

[M3GreatRiffs]

What you said about the strictly rule-based system isn't a complete thought, and incorrect. Saying that repression and other negative things will inevitably follow is only going to occur when a person's sense of purpose is usurped by chronic self-focus. Basically, systematic morality makes a great slave but a terrible master. Great videos, though.

[Swampymcswamp]

I liked this series you have made.

[geoporcupine]

I'm really enjoying this series. I've been working on and refining a very similar ethical framework.

[TheRightDecision]

brilliant!

Honestly, I think you should dedicate to write books about these topics :-D

[GStolyarovII]

Excellent series! I agree that virtue ethics is more effective, and ultimately more motivating, than ethics based simply on following rules. Rule-based ethics also inevitably stumbles when faced with situations that are simply too complex to be neatly interpreted by any set of rules concise enough for a human mind to simultaneously grasp.

[Mastikator]

It seems like what you define as ethics can be summed up as "optimal general method of achieving long term happiness".

Which is a lot less confusing term than "ethics" since it doesn't have deontological and theological baggage.

I don't see what value there is in keeping the word "ethics".

Though the content has value. So I give you 5 stars.

[Sepero1]

In fairness, it does not appear that what you have laid forth can be properly critiqued. It is simply incomplete. I downloaded the txt to be sure.

You did not define what a Meta-Virtue is.

You did not establish why "logic and honesty" are valid virtues.

How do you establish a valid virtue?

Since eudaimonia is a "state that requires constant maintenance", should I assume that the more often a person experiences eudaimonia (happiness), then the more moral or virtuous that person is?

[ks100001]

I feel I've been watching intellectual greatness at work!

Your essay is one of the best I've read, EVER.