How to live: 15 responses from various ethical teachings

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

How to live, what to strive for, what to hope for? All of us in our practice are guided by certain values. Lifehacker has collected 15 of the most influential ethical teachings, each of which answers eternal questions in its own way.

The doctrine of the golden mean of Aristotle: do not go to extremes

There can be excess and lack in any human action. The moral will be the middle between them. For example, courage is a middle ground between recklessness and cowardice.

Hedonism: Enjoy

Hedonism considers pleasure to be the highest value in life. It should not be identified with Epicureanism - the teaching of the ancient Greek Epicurus, who also extolled pleasure as the highest good, but understood it as the absence of suffering.

The categorical imperative: do so that the maxim of your will could be a universal law

Simply put, a person should always, regardless of the circumstances, act in accordance with the ethical principle that could be guided by all members of society. For example, the obligation to always tell the truth: even in a situation where a lie can save a life, a person has no right to lie.

Christianity: do not sin

The ethical teaching of Christianity is presented in the Ten Commandments. Basically, they are negative in form: that is, in order to lead a correct lifestyle, it is enough not to commit sins.

Buddhism: Don't Suffer

The goal of Buddhism is to get rid of suffering, which is the essence of the universe. To this end, a person must observe five virtues: refusal to harm living beings, theft, adultery, lies and alcohol.

The golden rule of ethics: treat people as you would like them to do to you

This rule, in one form or another, can be seen in many cultures. It would seem that it is ideal, why other teachings? But not quite: people are different. It is likely that what you would like for yourself is not at all suitable for others.

Nihilism: Look at what ideals the majority live by. Deny them

All nihilistic movements in all their manifestations in one way or another deny the dominant morality. Nothing positive may be offered in its place, the main thing here is the negation itself.

Utilitarianism: act profitably

Actions that are beneficial, that is, they increase human happiness, are moral. Only now the utilitarians have problems with the definition of happiness. After all, it cannot be expressed in quantity, and everyone has different ideas about it.

Effective altruism: make the world a better place

This is a modern altruistic concept that stands for the scientific analysis of possible actions and the selection of those that will lead to the best result for all.

Perfectionism: get better

According to perfectionists, the meaning of human life is in constant improvement. It also includes the development of ethical qualities like kindness, honesty, and so on.

Pluralism: live as you want, but remember that others also have the right to do so

Pluralism presupposes the coexistence of different points of view and different ethical patterns of behavior. You can adhere to any of them, the main thing is to accept other views and not advocate your position.

Eudemonism: be happy

The highest human good is happiness. Actions that contribute to its achievement are moral.

Reasonable selfishness: think only of yourself, but do not forget that you need others

Reasonable egoism differs from ordinary egoism in one thing: the assertion that a person's actions performed exclusively in his interests will ultimately not bring him satisfaction.

It is in the interests of everyone to take into account the interests of others.

That is, the guy gives the girl flowers, but he himself gets a certain pleasure from this. Stealing in such a system of views is also wrong, because it is unprofitable: the criminal will be tormented by remorse or even incur criminal punishment.

Consequentialism: think about the consequences of your actions

The criterion of the morality of an act is its result. That is, in certain situations, the lie will be morally justified. Murder too - for example, with euthanasia.

Collectivism: act for the good of the collective

The interests of the collective are more important than the interests of the individual. Therefore, actions that are aimed at the good of the collective are more moral than actions aimed at achieving personal happiness.