what is the law of human nature?
- law of right and wrong
- humans have free will (can choose to go against it)
- humans are governed by a code
what is instinct?
the DESIRE to fight or flee; an IMPULSE
what is law?
the knowledge of what you SHOULD do
what are the 4 ways of locating the ethical within each person?
- personal response - a desire to act
- experience of the other - recognizing that the other person is someone with a unique life
- experience of obligation - pull in the right direction; doing what you are told
- experience of contrast - feeling that something is not fair
what is ethics?
the good that humans move towards - the law that exists above us
what is morality?
how to attain the good by using laws or rules
how do catholics see morality?
- knowing what ought to be done
- not just the right thing, but the thing that should and needs to be done
what 3 sources do catholics draw upon to make a moral judgement?
- human reason
- human experience
- divine revelation
what are the 4 cardinal values?
- temperance - moderation
- fortitude - courage
- prudence - common sense
- justice - fairness
what is eudaimonia?
a greek word which translates to ‘happiness’. it is also a lifestyle where people try to obtain their highest abilities of self
what are the 3 main points in aristotle’s argument?
- happiness in the community - all efforts must be good for the community
- rationality - acting rationally must determine our everyday moves, rationality must control desire
- the mean - stay within the middle path
what is teleology?
discovering the finality of what we are meant to be
what is theoretical reason?
things that have an effect on us
what is practical reason?
an impulse that we must control; recognizing this and making sure it doesn’t harm ourselves or others
what 3 principals are needed to acheive the good?
- God
- Freedom - using free will to choose the good
- Immorality - life is not enough; we need more time
what is good will?
doing good for duty’s sake; a moral action is acheived when done for the sake of duty
how is a moral principal decided?
- Rationality
- Objectively
- Benefits everyone
according to levinas, where do we find the good?
within the face of the other person who is unique and selfless
how are we made responsible by the face?
- It calls us to disregard our self-centered lives
- It calls us to serve our neighbour
- A person lives a moral life by devoting their life to another
what common theme exists between all the philosophers?
- Rationality (ensures we are doing what is right for the other) and Community
- Age of Reason
According to Levinas, what concept did the Western world need to learn in order to understand how to acheive the good?
Humans cannot be categorized, we are not the same as each person has a uniqueness to them
Define ‘virtue’
a behaviour which shows high moral standards
Define ‘Cardinal Virtue’
Natural virtues that we must work to obtain and perfect
Define ‘Theological Virtue’
Virtues given to us from God
- Faith
- Hope
- Chairity
