James Rachels argues against theories of selfishness that the psychological egoists maintain. He challenges the view that everyone always does what he or she wants by showing that we often dounpleasant tasks for the future pleasures or from obligation. Altruism is recognized as not acting in self interest. He also clears up the confusions that selfishness and self interest share the same meaning. *Psychological egoists argue that we always do what we want to do. Rachel says that is questionable and
Free Altruism Ethical egoism Egoism
The philosopher James Rachels has an argument that shows that the distinction between acts and omissions is not as helpful as it looks. Consider these two cases: •Smith will inherit a fortune if his 6 year old cousin dies. •One evening Smith sneaks into the bathroom where the child is having his bath and drowns the boy. •Smith then arranges the evidence so that it looks like an accident. •Jones will inherit a fortune if his 6 year old cousin dies. •One evening Jones sneaks into the bathroom where
Premium Morality Doctor Who KILL
Thesis: Ethical Objectivism exists because 1) Moral Principles don’t require an author; 2) the deepest moral principles are objectively right or wrong‚ independent of human and divine opinion; 3) some moral standards are universal. A1: Some moral principles such as if one kills‚ then one does wrong‚ have always existed and are eternal and have no author; as Shafer-Landau said‚ “It will continue to be true even after the human race is extinct.” O1: Argument 1 is unconvincing because‚ just as the
Premium Morality Philosophy Immanuel Kant
Summary: Active and Passive Euthanasia (James Rachels) James Rachels argues against the traditional doctrine in medicine that prohibits the physician from taking any action which would contribute to the death of a patient. Rachels takes the position that in some cases‚ abiding by this doctrine leads to more suffering. In the situation where continued medical support would prolong suffering‚ doctors have the option of discontinuing support. If‚ according to Rachel‚ they choose that option on the basis
Premium Morality Medicine Physician
the most prominent are ethical objectivism and ethical relativism. Ethical objectivism and ethical relativism may hold the same amount of influence in the philosophical world‚ but the two theories are complete opposites in where they place the authority for ethical decision. Although ethical relativism provides a subjectivity that can be helpful in preventing ethical conflicts between cultures and individuals‚ in reality ethical objectivism provides a better basis for ethical decision due to the fact
Premium Ethics Morality Philosophy
In James Rachels’ books‚ The Elements of Moral Philosophy‚ the chapter made several points about virtue. Virtue can be defined in different ways and mean different per every person. But‚ virtue needs to bring good morals and be justified with good reasons. Good characteristic makes a person virtuous. Should Virtue Ethics be practice again? Definition of virtue brings a lot of competent. Structures of virtue‚ can set many explanations and problems. But‚ virtue is important because the upright morals
Premium Virtue Ethics
this: if we accept the theological conception of right and wrong- we’re caught in a major dilemma. Socrates’ question requires us to clarify what we mean. The name "divine command theory" can be used to refer to any one of a family of related ethical theories. What these theories have in common is that they take God’s will to be the foundation of ethics. According to divine command theory‚ things are morally good or bad‚ or morally obligatory‚ permissible‚ or prohibited‚ solely because of God’s
Premium Ethics Morality
Ethics and the Bible In James Rachels’ “Ethics and the Bible‚” Rachels analyzes the use of the Bible to answer moral and ethical questions. He first points to the issue of clear teachings versus interpretations of the meaning behind. Those who use the Bible to answer ethical questions run into two problems‚ one that the Bible does not explicitly answer every ethical question‚ and two there are some instructions that religious people give reasons to ignore. Rachels finds this to be problematic. In
Premium Ethics Morality Philosophy
Rachels and Brock James Rachels’ thoughts on active and passive euthanasia come down to the idea that there is no moral difference between both active and passive euthanasia. That simply they are functionally equivalent. Rachels’ argument stems from the AMA’s stance on euthanasia. The AMA believes the intentional termination of one’s life is contrary to “that for which the medical profession stands.” However‚ it is wrong to prolong the needless suffering of patients who are dying. Therefore
Premium Death Euthanasia Medicine
James Rachels ’ Death and Dying James Rachels is one of the most controversial philosophers talked about in today ’s society. One of his most talked about topics is whether a person has a right to die or not. Not much is known about Rachels expect for the many articles and books he has written. In the controversy of letting a person die or killing him‚ he does not try to explain which method is good and which method is bad. He however tries to explain why they both are bad to a certain degree
Free Death Euthanasia Suicide