This essay considers whether using an ethical toolbox is the best way to make ethical choices. To that consideration, I acknowledge that the ethical challenges I face are diverse and complicated. I wonder if it is better to rely on one philosophical perspective in my life or consider several.
Mill argues that we measure how others and ourselves will benefit or suffer as a result of our action when considering ethical questions. Mill writes, “If one of the two is … placed so far above the other that they prefer it … we are justified in ascribing to the preferred enjoyment a superiority of quality…” (115:d). This means the action should be pursued if and only if it will result in an increase of any one or combination of the following …show more content…
He says, “The point of living is simply to be living, in the manner that it is your nature to be living” (455:c). This means that we should discover for ourselves what it is we are inclined to do to feel successful – as we might reasonably define it – and to give our lives meaning. This does not mean that we should be content to settle for what it is we like to do but also to do what makes us feel connected to our own life, makes us feel like we have some control over our contentment. Do what provides for us not simply a recognition that a thing be done and then following up with the doing but do that which provides for us its own motivation. That drives us as though we could not conceive ourselves doing something else so long as it is not truly hurtful to others. That is to say does not involve felonious activities. For example, there are many things that bring meaning to my life but the thing which currently provides for me the most motivation is earning an education, it is how I identify myself, as a student. So, Taylor’s point is we should discover what provides our lives meaning so we can pursue it, as long as it does not include the pursuit of criminal
Mill argues that we measure how others and ourselves will benefit or suffer as a result of our action when considering ethical questions. Mill writes, “If one of the two is … placed so far above the other that they prefer it … we are justified in ascribing to the preferred enjoyment a superiority of quality…” (115:d). This means the action should be pursued if and only if it will result in an increase of any one or combination of the following …show more content…
He says, “The point of living is simply to be living, in the manner that it is your nature to be living” (455:c). This means that we should discover for ourselves what it is we are inclined to do to feel successful – as we might reasonably define it – and to give our lives meaning. This does not mean that we should be content to settle for what it is we like to do but also to do what makes us feel connected to our own life, makes us feel like we have some control over our contentment. Do what provides for us not simply a recognition that a thing be done and then following up with the doing but do that which provides for us its own motivation. That drives us as though we could not conceive ourselves doing something else so long as it is not truly hurtful to others. That is to say does not involve felonious activities. For example, there are many things that bring meaning to my life but the thing which currently provides for me the most motivation is earning an education, it is how I identify myself, as a student. So, Taylor’s point is we should discover what provides our lives meaning so we can pursue it, as long as it does not include the pursuit of criminal