I mean it’s the only one that explains why we actually do anything at all
Comment on oh man
dragonfucker@lemmy.nz 1 week agoHedonism is obviously the best ethical theory. Bentham had the right idea
yetiftw@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Comment on oh man
dragonfucker@lemmy.nz 1 week agoHedonism is obviously the best ethical theory. Bentham had the right idea
I mean it’s the only one that explains why we actually do anything at all
agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works 1 week ago
Bentham developed hedonistic calculus. The foundation is a multivariate ethical vector space. He rationalized hedonism to the extreme. The passions are explicitly tempered for a calculated greater good.
dragonfucker@lemmy.nz 1 week ago
That’s what reasons existing to serve the passions means.
agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works 1 week ago
No? Once reason restricts passion, the hierarchy collapses. An action that causes yourself mild pain, but pleasure of greater extent to others, is preferable to an action that causes many others pain even if it gives you pleasure personally. Reason demands you restrain yourself from the passions that would harm others. That’s not unilateral fealty. Axioms must be assumed, but the most powerful systems assume as few as possible, and leave most of the legwork to reason.
dragonfucker@lemmy.nz 1 week ago
Empathy is a passion. Without empathy, there’s no justification for helping others at your own expense.