Chapter Four: Chapter Four: Value and the Quest Value and the Quest

for the Goodfor the Good

What sort of things are valuable?What sort of things are valuable?

Convenience Machine exampleConvenience Machine example

Intrinsic and Instrumental ValueIntrinsic and Instrumental Value

Intrinsic goods:Intrinsic goods: good because of their nature good because of their nature and are not derived from other goodsand are not derived from other goodsInstrumental goods:Instrumental goods: worthy of desire because worthy of desire because they are effective means of attaining our intrinsic they are effective means of attaining our intrinsic goodsgoods

The Value of PleasureThe Value of Pleasure

Hedonism: The doctrine that holds thatHedonism: The doctrine that holds that

all pleasure is good, that pleasure isall pleasure is good, that pleasure is

the only thing good in itself, and thatthe only thing good in itself, and that

all other goodness is derived fromall other goodness is derived from

this value.this value.

Hedonism comes from the Greek wordHedonism comes from the Greek word

hedonhedon, which means pleasure., which means pleasure.

Hedonists Subdivide into Hedonists Subdivide into Two CategoriesTwo Categories

Sensualism: the view that equates all pleasure Sensualism: the view that equates all pleasure with sensual enjoymentwith sensual enjoyment

Satisfactionism: the view that equates allSatisfactionism: the view that equates all

pleasure with satisfaction or enjoyment,pleasure with satisfaction or enjoyment,

which may not involve sensuality. which may not involve sensuality.

NonhedonistsNonhedonists

Are divided into two separate groups:Are divided into two separate groups:

1. Monists: Believe that there is a1. Monists: Believe that there is a

single intrinsic value, but it issingle intrinsic value, but it is

not pleasure.not pleasure.

2. Pluralists: Admit that pleasure is2. Pluralists: Admit that pleasure is

an intrinsic good, but that there arean intrinsic good, but that there are

other intrinsic goods as well.other intrinsic goods as well.

Are Values Objective or Subjective?Are Values Objective or Subjective?

Objectivist View: Values are worthy of desire Objectivist View: Values are worthy of desire whether or not anyone actually desires them. whether or not anyone actually desires them. Values exist independently.Values exist independently.

Subjectivist View: Values are dependent on Subjectivist View: Values are dependent on desirers and are relative to desirers.desirers and are relative to desirers.

Relation of Value to MoralityRelation of Value to Morality

Value Theory is at the heart of Moral Theory.Value Theory is at the heart of Moral Theory.From our values we derive principles.From our values we derive principles.We judge which principle to use, then decide We judge which principle to use, then decide what to do.what to do.Weakness of will: meaning to do the right Weakness of will: meaning to do the right thing, but being too morally weak to accomplish thing, but being too morally weak to accomplish the task.the task.

The Good LifeThe Good Life

Aristotle (384-322 BCE) believed that all Aristotle (384-322 BCE) believed that all people seek happiness.people seek happiness.

Eudaimonia: not merely a subjective state of Eudaimonia: not merely a subjective state of pleasure or contentment, but the kind of life we pleasure or contentment, but the kind of life we would all want to live if we understood our would all want to live if we understood our essential nature.essential nature.

The Good LifeThe Good Life

John Rawls' “plan of life” conception of John Rawls' “plan of life” conception of happiness:happiness:

There is a plurality of life plans open to each There is a plurality of life plans open to each person, and what is important is that the plan person, and what is important is that the plan be an integrated whole, freely chosen by the be an integrated whole, freely chosen by the person and that the person be successful in person and that the person be successful in realizing his or her goalsrealizing his or her goals

The Good LifeThe Good Life

Missing ingredients from the Happiness Missing ingredients from the Happiness Machine necessary for the happy life:Machine necessary for the happy life:ActionActionFreedomFreedomCharacterCharacterRelationshipsRelationships

The Good LifeThe Good Life

Moderate objectivism view of happiness:Moderate objectivism view of happiness:Happiness is life in which there exists free Happiness is life in which there exists free

action (including meaningful work), loving action (including meaningful work), loving relations, and moral character and in which relations, and moral character and in which the individual is not plagued by guilt and the individual is not plagued by guilt and anxiety bit is blessed with peace and anxiety bit is blessed with peace and satisfaction.satisfaction.