Philosophical issus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Philosophical issus - Essay Example Under the scrutiny of minimum conception of morality, Cultural relativism is critical as it serves the better part of group interest while at least capturing individual interests that are culture dependent. It is important to underline the ethical theory of utilitarianism which defines wrong or right in terms of the outcome of an action among the several alternative choices. In this concept, the aspect of utility emphasizes the right act as the action choice with the minimum bad results. In regard to minimum conception of morality, utilitarianism works outside the limits of individual interests and captures the interest of others. In other words, Utilitarianism seeks to govern conflicts between self-interest and common interests with the goal of optimal happiness of the greatest number(Rachels and James 116-9). For instance government decisions are based on the majority desire which may conflict with individuals with different wishes and such proposals vary across cultural framework of each country. This asserts that utilitarianism subscribe to the minimum conception of morality. According to Kant, some actions are wrong even if it would amount to more happiness than otherwise. In this moral theory concept, wrong or right consideration of an action is not dependent on consequences but individual obligation to do what is good for humanity. Kant attempts to answer the question of whether an individual’s action respects the goals of human beings rather than merely using them for personal purposes. In this respect Kant emphasizes consideration of other people’s interest in each individual’s action hence subscribing to the minimum conception of morality Social Contract Theory explains that morality constitute a set rules that govern behavior of people in the society such that rational persons will accept a given code of behavior on condition that others accept such standards as

Decarts and existence of evil Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Decarts and existence of evil - Essay Example His argument hinges on the fact that knowledge of God is anchored on a distinct idea on the existence of a supreme being (Marion, 2008). There must be the existence of an idea first before a given claim can be verified. For Descartes, this distinct idea resided in his mind. It is this idea that gave him the essence of God as a devine. It is an idea that could not be verified through empirical methods. The existence of an Evil Demon, in line with the thinking of Descartes, can only obtain if it is backed by a distinct idea.   There must first exist the essence of the Evil Demon that is crystallized into Descartes mind in order for him to make a claim about the existence of such a being. One of the arguments upheld by Descartes is that essence implies existence. It would follow logically that the absence of essence effectively negates all possibilities of existence. Without the essence of the Evil Demon in distinct form it would be pointless to assert any claim of such an existence. Therefore, this would mean that Descartes could claim the existence of God but refrain from making any suggestions on whether or not some Evil Demon actually exists (Marion, 2008).. Proof of such existence could be gained from other arguments, or by using some logical claims outside the boundaries established by Descartes methods.   Descartes knowledge of God was based on the theory of natural/extant ideas. He believed that it is possible for things to exist without their very nature of existence being verified by a form of proof. According to Descartes, the mind can generate knowledge of its own through the power of logic. The practice of intuition basically demands aligning the mind to the essence of ideas without establishing the evidence of experience or other methods that would be preferred by logicians to prove such facts. The existence of God, according to Descartes, is a â€Å"gift†Ã‚   In this way, the knowledge of such must be based on distinct