Thursday, September 4, 2008
Intrinsic Good
The more I thought about intrinsic good, the more it seemed like an axiom in math. An axiom is a statement that cannot be proved but which all other mathematical laws/proofs are based upon like -1*x = -x. It is essentially a made up concept that we accept to be true. Other things are then true that we can prove using rational logical arguments that are based on this singular pillar of thought. I tend to view intrinsic good with a deontilogical (?) perspective. Humans have rights as humans. They are entitled to certain things because people have a basic self-worth. I work for the Vanderbilt Campus Chapter for Habitat for Humanity and our mission statement says "We believe that everyone has the right to simple, decent, and affordable housing." That's it the end. There are no buts. As a person with this belief, I realize all my arguments against other philosophical theories are based in this and therefore biased by it. As I read Foner's writings on freedom, it led me to question if this would be my belief if I grew up somewhere else. Founding fathers, Declaration of Independence, the Pledge of Allegiance... How could these thoughts of personal rights and responsibilities not have affected me? I would like to say I would believe this no matter where I was from, but that is a dim view of reality. Who is to say if I was from Japan and had stronger ties to honor? Who is to say what we beleive is not just constructs of where we were raised and what we experienced?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I agree with many of your ideas and also tend to view intrinsic good based on deontology. Deontology, which stems from foundationalism, includes those searching for intrinsic good. I like to think of intrinsic good as virtues and ethics based on a universal code. As you said, people "are entitled to things because people have a basic self-worth." I agree with this but also I think people are entitled to things because of basic inalienable rights. I like to think these rights are attached to people at birth and can never be taken away. They are guaranteed and secure for all of lifetime. To take these basic rights away would be to cross borders and disrespect someone's rights. I do not believe that rights are attached to political communities or groups yet belong to one's own person. These rights are not based on status yet on just simply existing as a human being.
Dalis: Okay, this is mostly just a silly comment I'm going to make. I don't like math, but I think the point you make about an intrinsic good being like an axiom in math is an excellent one. Nice work there.
Post a Comment