Philosophy Final Review

Rousseau the discourses and other early political

writings
I LOVE OUR PRIMITIVE NATURE
We initially had just had amour de soi, but as humans started to recognize
differences and inequalities with each other, and interact, amour-propre
developed.
Amor de soi Love of self -> sentiment of ones own existence. This is
state of nature
- It is naturally good and not malicious because it does not involve
pursuing one's self-interest at the expense of others.
Amour propre (self love). Others opinion/thought of you is reflected on
yourself. This is civil state.
- This creates desire for recognition and prestige, which in turn
becomes competition.
- Arises only with society.
- Because of happiness, one might become happy from others suffering.
Higher the position/respect, better the lifestyle.
- Rousseau argues that any society with less of this will be a happier
society.

Jeremy Bentham Principles of Morals & Legislation

UTILITARIANISM
- Benthams criterion (things you use to make decision) is pleasure and
pain.
- He asks the question is the action going to benefit me or someone else?
- His principle of morality was that pleasure and pain defines degree of utility
for all concerned.
-Utilitarianism doing what gives pleasure and not doing what gives pain
for all concerned.
Greatest Happiness Principle (John Mill)
- Pleasure and the absence of pain are the only things desirable as
ends in themselves, the only things inherently good. Doing what
causes the greatest pleasure for the most amount of people.

Thomson Trolley Problem

A Utilitarian view would simply and straightforwardly assert that it is morally

obligatory to save the greater number over the life of the one pretty much
not matter what because the more people that are living the more pleasure
or happiness that could be experienced.
Thomson's conclusion is that it is acceptable to kill the one in order to let the
larger number live only if the one has no prior claim, such as being owner
over the pebble or being owner of one's own body.

Kant Groundwork of Metaphysics of Morals

THE GOOD WILL/INTENTION
-Unlike Utilitarian, Kant states that, in terms of morality, consequences do
not matter. Only good will, intention and motives before an action is done
matters.
- Expecting something in return is bad.
- Volunteering for the sake of getting a good resume buster is
impure reason.
Pure reason Following the rules because its the right thing to do.
Acting in accord with duty Acting because I am inclined to
(pleases/interests me).
Acting from duty Act because it is my duty, doesnt matter if I am
inclined to do it, or interested to do it.
^ They only are same actions, but differs in motivation/will.
-Act so that the maxim of your actions could be made a universal law (act in
a way you would have other people act).
Categorical Imperative
1) Universal Law you cant make an exception for yourself.
a. You cannot just steal because everyone might think the same
and steal.
b. Would it be ok to steal medicine for sick child? No, because it
could still be an impure motive, or someone else might have
needed the medicine.
2) end in themselves
a. Treat people not only for the mean for also for the end in
themselves.
b. Respect others. Dont objectify others.

Heidegger Question Concerning Technology

Techne/Technique art making (poetry, paint, music, blacksmithing,
carpentry..)
It is revealing what is potentially in there. (Ex. Windmill
converts wind into energy.)
Modern and Pre-modern technology both reveals, but they reveal differently.
Premodern (windmill) uses nature as is.
Modern(Hydroelectric dam) Challenges nature. Getting nature to do
something that it doesnt naturally do.