Levinas' view on the good and ethics as a whole was centered around three main points: He believed that each person is a unique expression of God, the face of the "other" calls you to responsibility, and that goodness is infinite.
The entirety of all his philosophical points are considered ethical. Just like the other three philosophers, he generally aimed to search for the good. Levinas believed that God left "traces" of himself as a sort of revelation in things and other people. He thought that we didn't encounter God anywhere, we just found traces that would let us know that God had been there, but no longer was.
The center of Levinas' ethics was the fact that his views were relational. He genuinely approved of thinking that the human face is what turns to "me" and looks at me. He believed that the face is the most naked part of the body. This lead to him disapproving of makeup since in his opinion, it was a sort of attempt to hide your face. Therefore, he concluded that the eyes could never be made up. The eyes would penetrate every mask, and with our eyes, and into the other's eyes, we would make direct contact.
An experience like looking into another's eyes could only be called a "thrill of astonishment". It is the most original moment of meaning, because in the eyes of another you meet a total stranger. This stranger is what he/we would call the "other".
In this person's solid look, the Other calls you not to reduce their face to being the same as any other face around. He thinks this goes along with the "You shall not Murder" commandment, as he considers the face a sign of authority.
The face of the other is only powerful and superior because it comes from elsewhere: This Other is a completely and total stranger, who is defenseless. The stranger is one whose very existence is threatened. It is at this point that he thinks the face becomes ethical. Mostly because the Other's depth of misery is what makes the command or appeal of the face ethical. The face clearly demands that you recognize it and that you provide it with help.
The face could be anyone, like a beggar with a bent head. This is how the face would make you responsible, he thinks. The face would reveal that you are self-centered and concerned only of your own matters. This face would make you responsible.
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
How Kant Describes "The Good"
Immaneul Kant believed in a more Deontological approach, Deon being greek for "Duty" to ethics. He shared certain ideas with Aristotle, like his thoughts that the good is the aim of moral life, but unlike Aristotle, he thought the good was searched for out of a sense of duty and obligation. Aristotle firmly believed that a "good person" would find their happiness within community, but Kant's view on ethics is more centered on the individual.
Kant believed that human action is only morally good when it is done out of a sake of duty. Being kind to people wasn't always a moral act, it only became one when you were kind to people you didn't originally want to be kind to. He also primarily thought that the use of reason was central to the moral life.
Another key point of Kant's views would be from one of the most famous maxims Kant proposes: "I ought never to act except in such a way that I can also will that my maxim should become a universal law." What he basically means by this is, "I should act in a way that I would want everyone else in the world to act." Which could indirectly be related to something said by Matthew, in the bible, since they're quite similar: "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the prophets." (Matthew, 7:12).
Going back to the thought of duty and obligation, Kant thought that the good was not a language of desires, but of what you ought to do. You are obliged to follow a certain law or a person with authority. His ethics are centered around that experience of duty or obligation.
Catechism says "1950: The moral law is the work of the divine wisdom. Its biblical meaning can be defined as fatherly instruction, God's pedagogy."
"2052: ... If you would enter life, keep the commandments ... You shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery."
Both these quotes could generally be related to a sense of moral obligation, which heavily relates to Kant's ethics.
Kant believed that human action is only morally good when it is done out of a sake of duty. Being kind to people wasn't always a moral act, it only became one when you were kind to people you didn't originally want to be kind to. He also primarily thought that the use of reason was central to the moral life.
Another key point of Kant's views would be from one of the most famous maxims Kant proposes: "I ought never to act except in such a way that I can also will that my maxim should become a universal law." What he basically means by this is, "I should act in a way that I would want everyone else in the world to act." Which could indirectly be related to something said by Matthew, in the bible, since they're quite similar: "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the prophets." (Matthew, 7:12).
Going back to the thought of duty and obligation, Kant thought that the good was not a language of desires, but of what you ought to do. You are obliged to follow a certain law or a person with authority. His ethics are centered around that experience of duty or obligation.
Catechism says "1950: The moral law is the work of the divine wisdom. Its biblical meaning can be defined as fatherly instruction, God's pedagogy."
"2052: ... If you would enter life, keep the commandments ... You shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery."
Both these quotes could generally be related to a sense of moral obligation, which heavily relates to Kant's ethics.
Aristotle and "The Good"
Aristotle, a strong figure in the development of Catholic ethical theory, describes "the good" in a number of ways. His teleological ethics were comprised of three key points. These three points include and are not limited to his view that happiness is found within community, that rationalism is an important part of ethics, and his thoughts that all things should be taken in moderation.
Firstly, Aristotle firmly believed that happiness should be found in community, or the polis. Anyone isolated, or outside of this polis, was thought to be "either a beast or a god." Aristotle's ethics are based around the thought that human life is shaped to its full extent when in the context of a community. He usually thought that the good was centered around happiness, and this could only develop when you're an active citizen in your community.
In another way, Aristotle also thought that rationalism is important to ethics. He expressed feelings that above all else, humans were intended to be rational. He thought that our greatest capacity as humans is our intelligence. As it says in the textbook, In Search of the Good, "...Following our internal compass means developing this capacity, not only in matters of science, but also in practical life - in developing our individual character. Humans are rational animals, and we must base our actions, as much as possible, on reasoning." According to Aristotle, to act ethically, is to engage our capacity to reason as we develop good character.
Lastly, Aristotle thought that with his ethics, all things should be taken in moderation. He believed that too much of something was not good, that things can be destroyed by defect and excess. Moderation applies to all areas of ethical life: to self-control, courage, etc.
These are the reasons on how Aristotle describes "the good" and his ethics.
Firstly, Aristotle firmly believed that happiness should be found in community, or the polis. Anyone isolated, or outside of this polis, was thought to be "either a beast or a god." Aristotle's ethics are based around the thought that human life is shaped to its full extent when in the context of a community. He usually thought that the good was centered around happiness, and this could only develop when you're an active citizen in your community.
In another way, Aristotle also thought that rationalism is important to ethics. He expressed feelings that above all else, humans were intended to be rational. He thought that our greatest capacity as humans is our intelligence. As it says in the textbook, In Search of the Good, "...Following our internal compass means developing this capacity, not only in matters of science, but also in practical life - in developing our individual character. Humans are rational animals, and we must base our actions, as much as possible, on reasoning." According to Aristotle, to act ethically, is to engage our capacity to reason as we develop good character.
Lastly, Aristotle thought that with his ethics, all things should be taken in moderation. He believed that too much of something was not good, that things can be destroyed by defect and excess. Moderation applies to all areas of ethical life: to self-control, courage, etc.
These are the reasons on how Aristotle describes "the good" and his ethics.
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