Ethics Notes 3-14

Kant: Morality is a form of rationality.
Hypothetical Imperative: Tells us our desires
Categorical Imperative: Tells us our duty.

Aristotle:

Teleological: Having to do with goals, purpose, function.

"Meant to be" is a teleological explanation of why things happen, implying intention.

Teleological Theory: "What were humans [or plants or animals] meant to do?"==========>

"What do humans do? What is their characteristic activity? What distinguishes them apart from other things? What do they do best?"

Aristotle: "Humans use rationality."

For Aristotle, the ideal life/success, the life of the mind, revolves around rationality.
You also need wealth, good looks, friends, and health.
-all of these things are necessary but not sufficient alone.

Ar^ete=virtue=a character trait or habit that leads to success (eudaimonia).
-ex. courage and generosity.

Doctrine of the Golden Mean: virtue lies on a spectrum between extremes; excess and deficiency. Virtues are the mean between extremes
-example: courage

Deficiency]-------------------------[Excess
(cowardice) ^ (brashness)
courage

Question: How do we know what to do in a particular situation?

Aristotle: use practical judgement, which is a skill mastered through trial and error.

Nietzche: "God is dead."=belief in god is dead or untenable for the modern age of science.

Christian morality (morality of the masses) is dying or died with god and needs to be replaced.

Will to Power: Principle of life itself to grow, flourish, and dominate.

Life is exploitation. Animals eat other animals. Plants overgrow each other.

Ubermench: Superman. Lives by master morality.

Masters (minority) Slaves (masses)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Strength Weakness
Courage Cowardice
Intelligence VS Stupidity
Creativity Mediocrity
Individuality Conformity