Ultimately, the subject matter of moral philosophy is rationality, but that does not mean that all of it is based on reason. Kant argued that the subject matter of moral philosophy is the nature and content of principles. This ultimately determines our rational will. If we have a priori knowledge of what is ethical, we can decide how to act. However, we must still consider the circumstances in which we act. There are two fundamental ways to decide whether or not we act ethically.
Exploring Moral Theories
Depending on which theory you choose, there are several different kinds of moral theories that you may find useful. The first, known as utilitarianism, holds that morally correct actions are those that benefit others. Originally developed by John Stuart Mill, utilitarianism focuses on a hierarchy of pleasures, in which some pleasures are more valuable than others. Other proponents include neuroscientist Sam Harris and moral philosopher Peter Singer.
Another way to view morality is as an expression of the divine will. The gods give approval to certain actions, but this approval is not universal. Therefore, it is difficult to define the origin of morality in terms of divine creation. Even modern theists who believe in a divine creator cannot explain morality through religious authority. It is possible that human beings developed a standard of good actions independently of God. Then, how can a god be good while rejecting a divinely created standard of goodness?
Examining the Foundations of Morality
The most fundamental way to view morality is to examine the foundations of the system. Foundations are the rock-bottom first principles, the reasons behind what we do. Without the foundations, our reasons would be based on less credible reasons. This way, we would never know what to believe unless we have some type of evidence or a justification for what we do. Therefore, the best way to decide whether to act morally depends on the foundations we hold dear.
Morality is a system of rules that are intended to govern our behavior. Some of these rules are derived from ancient texts, while others are more modern and contemporary. Nonetheless, they are based on rationality. The moral philosophy system has been interpreted as a commitment to universalism. The rule utilitarians adhere to is that an action is morally right or wrong depending on the consequences it produces. There are several important modifications to this system that have emerged in the twentieth century.
Exploring Virtue and Ethics
In terms of the basis for morality, virtue has a lot to do with what we do. If we think about the Ten Commandments, for example, these commandments are a testament to the importance of the divine command theory. Such a theory requires us to follow a certain set of virtues, and we must do them no matter how challenging they are to follow. If we don’t have a good reason to act morally, we are not virtuous.
There are countless ways in which we can apply moral philosophy to real-world situations. Among the most popular and well-known examples are laws, justice, and our personal opinion of social issues. A moral philosophy course can help us understand why and how to act ethically in our everyday life. This is why so many schools offer classes on ethics. But the best way to apply it is to help students understand the principles behind real-world ethical decisions.
