Ethics.East.West

ETHICS IN ARISTOTLE, CONFUCIUS, & THE CHURCH : 

ETHICS IN ARISTOTLE, CONFUCIUS, & THE CHURCH THE PERFECTABILITY OF MAN.

PERENNIAL THEMES OF PHILOSOPHY : 

PERENNIAL THEMES OF PHILOSOPHY GOD Man World

Defining the Universe : 

Defining the Universe From prehistory to the Copernican Revolution world-view

Hebrew world system: : 

Hebrew world system:

Ancient Greek (Homeric) : 

Ancient Greek (Homeric) Early Greek cosmology as revealed in Homer – Earth = a floating disc surrounded by the waters of Okeanus

DEFINING MAN…ETHICS: About the Good : 

DEFINING MAN…ETHICS: About the Good When a thing has a proper operation, the good of the thing and its well-being consist in that operation A good computer is one that functions well.

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A good saw cuts well A good plant acts according to its nature (functions well). Grows, reproduces, nourishes itself. A good dog functions well

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A good man functions well Man’s specific operation (function): Intellect (to think) Will (to choose) Hence, a good man reasons well and chooses well. BUT, how this has been viewed in the EAST, and the WEST?

EASTERN THOUGHTThought prior to Confucius : 

EASTERN THOUGHTThought prior to Confucius Natural phenomena under Supernatural control. But no communication between earth and heaven. How to guess? 1. Superstitions. Spirits, Divination, sorcerers. 2. Virtue. Tso Chuan, 650: “Without virtue, the people will not be harmonious and the spirits will not accept the offerings”. 3. Astrology: order of planets, seasons, solstices, 5 elements: earth, metal, fire, water, wood. 4. HEAVEN (T’ien); GOD (Ti)

HISTORY : 

HISTORY 206: HAN DYNASTY. Less and less landlords, feudal system disappears, and Emperor & some aristocrats grow in power. Triumph of Confucianism especially among aristocracy. Like divinized, a religion. Later more systematic teaching. Buddhism from India.

EAST WEST : 

EAST WEST Human nature (ethics) Ways to Heaven (Metaphysics) SAGE // KING Self-cultivation and virtue rather than knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Practicality Never systematic, no methodology. Reason why China never developed a system of science. Metaphysics Ethics Epistemology Logic Philosophy of Science Philosophy of History …

CONFUCIUS, Kongzi 孔子 : 

CONFUCIUS, Kongzi 孔子 551-479 BC

CONFUCIUS : 

CONFUCIUS Lived in the State of Lu, North East. Orphan at an early age. Married (had a son and a daughter) Goal: to become a political adviser, and to bring ethics to the activities of government.

CONFUCIUS : 

CONFUCIUS Repeatedly turned down as adviser in States. Private instructor. Supported by his many students. Some succeeded in government. He did not write. His students later did (Analects) Teachings adopted during Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AC) -rén (humaneness, benevolence, love versus self-interest) 仁 -lǐ (life ceremonies, ritual, propriety, good manners) 禮

CONFUCIUS : 

CONFUCIUS FORM A VIRTUOUS CHARACTER: -Become friend of people with virtues. -Danger for youngsters: softness & love for comfort. -Examine your behaviour frequently. -Accept corrections for your faults. -Music helps in formation of character: edifying songs.

CONFUCIUS : 

CONFUCIUS -Four virtues: + sincerity (zhong): in speech ad duties. Loyalty. + benevolence (ren 仁): kind regard for welfare of others. + filial piety (xiào ): love & respect, bring honour to your family name. + propriety (Li 禮): etiquette, ceremony, ritual.

CONFUCIUS : 

CONFUCIUS RITES: Capping: 20th birthday of the son. Marriage: parents’ consent needed. Patriarchal system. Mourning rites: length according to rank. Sacrifices: food for the spirits. No “priesthood”. Ancestral shrines in all houses. Burning incense shows piety. Feasts: Spring, Autumn, local clans worship together. Interviews

WISDOM AND IGNORANCE : 

WISDOM AND IGNORANCE Wisdom facilitates the attainment of moral uprightness, and the consequent happiness. virtue = knowledge The wise man is good SOCRATES: 469 -399 BC

WISDOM AND IGNORANCE : 

WISDOM AND IGNORANCE But the exercise of the human freedom plays an important role in the growth of sapiential knowledge INTELLECT WILL Formation Virtues SOCRATES The wise man is good

PLATO(427-348 BC) : 

PLATO(427-348 BC) Concern for character has flourished in the West since the time of Plato, whose early dialogues explored such virtues as : wisdom, fortitude, temperance, justice.

PLATO : 

PLATO How ought I to act? What kind of person ought I to be? Moral Questions

Virtue: Ethics to Nichomacus : 

Virtue: Ethics to Nichomacus Strength of character (habit). Involving both feeling and action. Seeks the mean between excess and deficiency relative to us. Promotes human virtues. ARISTOTLE (384-322 BC)

Two Conceptions of Morality : 

Two Conceptions of Morality We can contrast two approaches to the moral life. The childhood conception of morality: Comes from outside (usually parents). Impositions Is negative (“don’t touch that stove burner!”). Rules and habit formation are central. The adult conception of morality. Comes from within (self-directed). Is positive (“this is the kind of person I want to be”). Virtue-centered, often modeled on ideals.

Rightly-ordered Desires and the Goals of Moral Education : 

Rightly-ordered Desires and the Goals of Moral Education Moral education may initially seek to control unruly desires through rules, the formation of habits, etc. Ultimately, moral education aims at forming rightly-ordered desires, that is, teaching people to desire what is genuinely good for them. EXPLAIN WHY.

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Every Agent Acts for an End (Final Cause) Happiness (Eudaimonia) Happiness is the perfection of the highest & the lower powers in man. The perfection of the intellect, the will //& the concupiscible and irascible appetites.

Concupiscible Appetite : 

Concupiscible Appetite Sense appetite: whose object is the “sensible good”. Gives rise to the emotions of love, desire, satisfaction, sorrow

Irascible Appetite : 

Irascible Appetite Sense appetite: whose object is the difficult sensible good or difficult sensible evil. Gives rise to the emotions of fear, daring, anger

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Sometimes the appetites rebel against reason… Examples: The person who easily gives up when things become difficult. The person who runs when there is danger. The person who cannot hold a job because he/she has no self-control in using time well; or difficulties in dealing with others, etc. The person who has no control over his/ her sexual appetite, and so can think of nothing other than sex.

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Ordered Life Concupiscible appetite Irascible appetite Will Reason

Slide 30: 

The Intellectual Virtues: Wisdom, Science, Understanding. The Intellect The Will The irascible appetite The concupiscible appetite Prudence – Practical Wisdom Justice Fortitude Temperance The Moral Virtues Beautiful Character

Friendship : 

Friendship Friendship based on utility – I.e., between business partners. The other is loved for the benefits that accrue to me. Friendship based on pleasure – I.e, between two people who find each other physically attractive. This ends when the thrill and novelty wears off (gets old). The other is loved for what he or she does for me. Friendship based on virtue (benevolence) – This loved is based on character. The other is loved because his character is noble. The other is loved for his/her own sake, not for my sake. This is the only genuine and lasting friendship.