Satisfactory Moral theory

Introduction

 On the topic ‘Would a Satisfactory Moral Theory Be Like?’ the author argues that  people should maximize the general welfare and achieve a satisfactory morality by applying multiple-strategies utilitarianism.  This means that in promoting the general welfare, people need to use diverse strategies.  First, she introduces the 'reason for doing' and argues that people consider reason when acting.  Therefore, morality means that people should apply reason in all occasions.  In other words, reason demands impartiality.  Another argument is that people have the freedom to make choices.  Those who choose to treat others well should receive the same treatment and vice versa.  Another thing that should help people achieve satisfactory morality is motives.  People are driven by different motives when promoting the interest of others.  Thus, people should use self-interested motives and rather than relying on moral goods alone, people should use  non-moral goods such as knowledge, love, and friendship.  In general, satisfactory moral theory is promoting the interest of people impartiality.  However, people should apply multiple strategies to promote general welfare to all people.  To maximize the general welfare, people should use the process of self-realization, use different motives, intentions, actions, and other elements and criteria with the ultimate goal of promoting the general welfare.

 My first argument is that to promote the welfare of other people, we should apply multiple-strategies utilitarianism; that is, move beyond the criteria of rightness to apply other motives.  On that note, the 'other motives' should be based on the utilitarian principle or the overall aim should be to maximize welfare (Parfit, 2007).  The importance of applying other motives is to maximize the personal happiness and welfare of other people.  The rule utilitarianism supports the argument of giving people what they deserve by stating that people should maximize general welfare but should adhere to fairness and justice rules.  Note that motives will allow people to assess other people's respect and gratitude and decide what to give them in return.  This also means that when we apply fairness and justice, we will treat people differently (Parfit, 2007).  Fairness and justice mean that people who treat others badly will receive the same treatment and people who treat others well will be treated well.  Focusing on satisfactory moral theory, the rule-utilitarianism achieves fairness and justice and ultimately leads to satisfactory.  This is because; the rule-utilitarianism allows one to assess the rightness or wrongness of the action (Simões, 2009).  In general, rule-utilitarianism supports utilitarianism itself, which focuses on the consequences of the actions but not the nature of the actions.  Thus, an individual whose actions are morally right will lead to positive results and therefore such people deserve better treatment.  People will move beyond the moral obligation and treat other people as rational beings who should control their actions (Simões, 2009).  In other words, individuals whose actions are morally wrong will lead to negative consequences and therefore such people deserve harsh treatment.

 My second argument is that satisfactory morality is also achieved through respect for persons.  This means that the virtue of respect should govern people's interaction.  Therefore, people should have the virtue of respect in that respect is important in everyday life (Kriegel & Timmons, n.d).  Thus, satisfactory moral theory requires people to treat others with respect.  Note that a conscious rational being can recognize things and  respond to them.  The principle of morality regarding the virtue of respect states that people should treat humanity as an end.  This means that people should respect others as ends.  Therefore, those who show others respect also deserve respect and those who do not  show respect or value other people should not be respected. 

My third argument is that I agree with the author's position that satisfactory morality is achieved by expanding the morality of virtue ethics and apply intellectual virtues.  It is also important to note that intellectual virtues contribute to morality and more importantly, promote satisfactory morality (Mitchell, 2015).  People should move beyond general duties and apply other familiar virtues to ensure that other people have good lives.  This is where the term 'best plan' applies that a person needs to consider their personalities and talents and use them to promote the general welfare.  People can relate with others differently and this means that people can apply different virtues as long as the result is to promote the interest of other people (Mitchell, 2015).  I believe that people have unique characters, which makes them different from others.  From a moral perspective, people can show goodness in different ways.  In other words, people have different knowledge of the good and therefore when acting morally, people will act according to how they define goodness (Mitchell, 2015).  In other, people will respond to the knowledge of reality.  Therefore, I agree that satisfactory morality will be achieved when a person is allowed to exercise the knowledge of reality and choose the true good.  The freedom to choose the goodwill brings fulfillment and perfection because the person has chosen the good for himself and the good for other person.  This means that satisfactory morality is achieved when one enters in the process of self-determination and becomes responsible for own character (Mitchell, 2015).  However, it is important to apply the principle of utilitarianism and remember that even though one has the freedom to choose the good action, he or she must ensure that the actions lead to good consequences.  It is important to put utilitarianism into consideration in that some people may do good through evil means.

 

Conclusion

 The article talks about moral impartiality, which states that people should use objective criteria in making moral decisions.  I understand that to achieve a satisfactory morality, people should consider these elements.  One, people should consider the consequences of the act and the use ovirtues.  I believe that to achieve satisfactory morality, people need to promote others' interests or rather apply the virtue of respect.  Second, concerning utilitarianism, moral actions should bring the greatest happiness.  Thus, if a person does not maximize general welfare, she does not deserve better treatment.  Finally, people should apply different motives and virtues to promote their interests, other people.  Note that people have different actions and characters and therefore the virtues should be distinct as long as their goal is to maximize happiness.  I have learned that satisfactory morality  is achieved by  applying multiple-strategies utilitarianism.  This means that one should act concerning his or her best plan to achieve a satisfactory morality.  Therefore, satisfactory morality is the utilization of the knowledge of good, use of virtues, and chooses good actions.  This will promote the general welfare and promote the interest of others impartially.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References                   

 

Parfit, D. (2007).  What Would a Satisfactory Moral Theory Be Like? Reasons and persons. Oxford:

Clarendon Press.

 

Simões, M. C. (2009). Rule-utilitarianism. ethic@-An international Journal for Moral Philosophy, 8(3),

47-61.

Kriegel, U., & Timmons, M. (n.d). The Phenomenology of Kantian Respect for Persons.

 

Mitchell, L. A. (2015). Integrity and virtue: The forming of good character. The Linacre Quarterly, 82(2),

149-169.