Benefits of Philosophy and Ethics

Review of Philosophy

• Philosophy helps in various aspects of life through critical thinking.

Benefits of Philosophy to the Individual

• Expressing opinions is common, but philosophy encourages questioning the reasons behind those opinions.
• Asking "Why?" repeatedly can reveal whether a claim is justified or just an opinion.
• Critical thinking involves asking for reasons to support claims.
• Understanding arguments involves recognizing the reasons offered for claims.
• Philosophy enhances the ability to present arguments effectively and in an orderly manner.

Benefits of Philosophy to Society

• Debates often lead to individuals sticking to their own views, hindering the pursuit of truth.
• Disagreement alone doesn't lead to truth; evaluating reasons objectively is essential.
• Personal biases can make us defensive, obstructing rational debate.
• Evaluating reasons on their own merit reduces the impact of bias.
• Critical thinking can challenge unquestioned customs and traditions in society.
• Uncovering unreasonable ways of thinking and acting promotes a more rational society.
• Example: Copernicus challenged the geocentric view, proposing the heliocentric model, a major advancement in astronomy.

Philosophy and Ethics

• Ethics is well-suited to philosophical inquiry because it often deals with truths that aren't empirically determinable.
• Ethical questions require philosophical approaches as they can't be solely determined empirically.
• Example: The concept of "the good" cannot be found empirically.
• Pointing to instances of good, like charity, doesn't define what "the good" is in itself.
• Ethical inquiry requires an ethical framework to make informed choices.
• Example: Choosing between buying a new car or paying for family's Christmas visit requires an ethical framework.
• A framework, such as acting for the most happiness for the most people, guides ethical decision-making.

Benefits of Ethics

• People are often more invested in ethical claims than other types of claims.
• Being defensive about moral judgments can make debates less rational.
• Critical thinking about ethical views, both our own and others', is necessary.
• Understanding why we hold certain ethical views helps us comprehend those views better.
• Generally accepted ideas about right and wrong are crucial for societal interactions.
• Example: Societal interactions would be difficult if stealing wasn't generally considered wrong.
• Many morals that we take for granted were not always widespread.
• Some morals become widespread only after political struggle.
• Example: The development of anti-slavery demonstrates the gradual rise of the moral idea that all people are equal.
• The fight for equality is ongoing, exemplified by civil rights movements, gay rights activism, and the ongoing fight against racism.
• The United States in the 20th century was home to many developments in equality.