St' Thomas Aquinas 12251274

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St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

• Natural law since everyone is ruled and
  measured by eternal law, we derive respective
  inclinations from it. Justice has its source in
  nature.
• All creatures are ordered to an end, have natures
  whose fulfillment is what it is because of those
  natures. It is not peculiar to man that he is
  fashioned so as to find his good in the
  fulfillment of his nature.
• Human law Mans not competent to judge interior
  movements only exterior. So we need divine law.
• Truth is the same for all but is not known to
  all.

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Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)Social Contract Theory

• Conditions of natural state
• equality of need
• scarcity
• essential equality of human power
• limited altruism.
• Morality Set of rules governing how people are
  to treat one another that rational people will
  agree to accept for their mutual benefit on
  condition that others follow those rules as well.

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Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)Social Contract Theory

• Prisoners Dilemma
• Garrett Hardin (1968) Tragedy of the Commons

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Garrett HardinTragedy of the Commons (1968)
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Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)Social Contract Theory

• Advantages of social contract theory
• We know the rules
• We know when we can break the rules
• Doesnt matter if the rules are right.
• Civil Disobedience?

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Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)Social Contract Theory
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Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)Social Contract Theory
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Utilitarianism

• Actions judged right or wrong solely by virtue of
  their consequences
• Only thing that matters in assessing consequences
  is happiness or unhappiness thats created.
• Each persons happiness counts the same.

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Utilitarianism

• Bentham Morality isnt about pleasing God or
  following rules its just an attempt to bring
  happiness to the world
• Ultimate moral principle Principle of Utility
• Mill Sole authorized use of power against
  another is to prevent harm to others. His own
  good, physical or moral, isnt a sufficient
  warrant. Individual sovereign over self.

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Utilitarianism

• Euthanasia
• What About Justice and Rights?
• Taking Nude Pictures case.
• No Harm, No Foul?
• Happiness Is it something that is recognized as
  good and sought for its own sake? No, its a
  response to attainment of things we recognize AS
  good. So whats good?
• Treat ALL people equally?
• Everyones happiness is equal to ours?

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Immanuel KantThe Categorical Imperative

• Believed moral rules are absolute.
• Some moral requirements are categorical the
  Categorical imperative. Do it REGARDLESS of your
  particular wants and desires.
• Act like youd want everyone to have to act.
• Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your
  own person or in that of another, always as an
  end and never as a means only.

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Kant v. Bentham Punishment

• Bentham (Utilitarian)All punishment is evil and
  must be justified. Increases suffering in the
  world.
• Purposes of punishment must be deterrence and
  rehabilitation.
• Kant Punishment may be bad, but the criminal
  deserves it.

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Issues for Discussion

• Is there a Natural Law?
• Are there absolute rules?
• Without rules, how do you govern yourself?
• Which approach is best?