Objectivism VS Subjectivism In Ethics | California State University, Northridge

University:
California State University, Northridge
Course:
PSY 150 | Introduction to Psychology
Academic year:

2023
Views:

202

Pages:

1
Author:

JJIssac

OBJECTIVISM VS SUBJECTIVISM IN ETHICS The Sophists and Origins of Subjectivism Ancient Greek Sophists questioned existence of objective truth Argued reality is subjective based on individual experience Led to ethical relativism at individual and cultural levels Sophist Views Challenged Social Convention Saw morality/laws as mere social convention, not inherently valuable Powerful enact laws to serve their interests ("might makes right") Socrates Challenged Conventional Morality Poked holes in customary views of virtues like justice, honesty Believed virtues were knowable by reasoning Laid groundwork for reasoning in deciding right and good Plato's Objectivist View Goodness = health and harmony of personality under reason Extended this to society functioning harmoniously Provided answer to why we should act rightly Aristotle's Objectivist Perspective Ultimate aim is happiness = being fulfilled, self-actualized Virtues produce happiness, so are intrinsically valuable Modern research supports this view of well-being In summary, the Sophists advanced a subjective view of morality and truth, while Socrates, Plato and Aristotle proposed objectivist natural law ethics grounded in reason and human nature. Contemporary research continues to explore objective well-being.