The Methods of Ethics

Abstract

The work contains no abstract. It is a text on moral philosophy, examining five methods of reasoning to determine what is right or wrong: egoism, intuitionism, utilitarianism, and the methods of seeking individual or universal perfection. The main focus is to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of these methods through critical analysis. The author argues that egoism, intuitionism, and perfectionism, while intuitively appealing, are ultimately inadequate to establish a solid foundation for ethics due to their inherent vagueness and inconsistencies. In contrast, utilitarianism, based on the principle of maximizing happiness for the greatest number, offers a more comprehensive and consistent approach, though it also presents its own set of practical difficulties and theoretical complexities. – AI-generated abstract.