The varieties of goodness

Abstract

This work explores the various senses of the word ‘good’. It argues that there is no single, unified concept of ‘goodness’ that encompasses all uses of the word. Instead, there are distinct forms of goodness, such as instrumental, technical, utilitarian, and hedonic goodness. The author analyzes each of these forms in detail, examining their logical structure, their relationship to human action, and their connection to other concepts such as health, illness, and happiness. He argues that moral goodness is not a separate form of goodness but is derived from the notion of the beneficial. The author also explores the relationship between norms and values, arguing that norms, understood as prescriptions for action, can be related to values through the concept of practical necessity. He distinguishes between autonomous and heteronomous norms, showing how the latter can be grounded in the former. Finally, he analyzes the concept of justice, arguing that it is founded on the idea that no member of a moral community should benefit from unjust action without being held accountable. – AI-generated abstract.