A ppt for V Sem UG Philosophy students

1. Welcome to the notes on
Ethical theories…….part I

2. Based on different moral standards, various thinkers proposed
different kinds of ethical theories.
Moral standards such as pleasure, law etc

3. Hedonism
 a school of thought that argues seeking pleasure and avoiding suffering are the
only components of well-being
 derives from the Greek word ‘Hedone’ which means 'pleasure’
Based on two assumptions :
1. Metaphysical assumption
the self is purely sensuous in nature
2. Psychological assumption
man naturally seeks pleasure and avoids pain

4. Hedonism
Psychological Ethical
we do not always seek pleasure, but ought to seek
pleasure
pleasure is the natural and normal object of desire,
so we always seek pleasure
statement of an ideal or end
statement of actual fact

5. Ethical Hedonism
 Actions are good or bad according as they promote pleasure or hinder it
 a statement of value
Ethical Hedonism
Egoistic Altruistic
Gross Refined Gross Refined

6. Gross ethical hedonism:
 Cyrenaic school -- 4th century B.C
 Aristippus ---- birth place = Cyrene Cyrenaics
 the only intrinsic good is pleasure
 the only good of life is the individual`s own pleasure
 The pleasures of body or sensuous pleasures, being the keenest, are preferable to the pleasures
of the soul
Modern times :
 Hobbes, Bentham Mill etc.

7. Refined Egoistic Hedonism
Epicureanism
 School founded around 307 B. C)
 Founder ----- Epicurus (341-270 B.C)
the highest pleasure was obtained by knowledge, friendship and living a
virtuous and temperate life

8.  reason has an important in our moral life
 the proper guide for the attainment of true happiness
All kinds of Hedonist theories confront various objections