Knowledge Vs American Ethics

In Ideas have consequences, Weaver states that among the most central notions which effect the course of are the considerations of whether there is a source of truth higher than and independent of man, whether or not universals exist, and whether knowledge is perceived mainly through the intellect or the senses . I would contend that the existence of independent truth is necessary to existence and for things to actually possess ethical qualities. From the consideration of the aim of ethics, it seemed that ethics was based in a universal of goodness, or at the very least that it involved qualities that needed universals to explain the legitimacy of their presence. Since knowledge involves a mental understanding and ethics are not directly perceived …show more content…
The mind makes use of reason, imagination, and the interpretation of sensory and non-sensory data to analyze and create ideas. Thus it does well when it has sufficient and reliable data, makes use of sound logic and reasoning, uses an expansive imagination, which can draw up anything, and it works to reconcile these things. Though there comes the challenges of the Dhammapada, which claims that the senses and the mind can misperceive, Kant, who says that common reason can often fail, and Epicurus, who points out that imagination can run wild. Indeed, there are challenges to understanding which should be treated seriously. In Mill’s On Liberty, it is written that it unwise to assume infallibility in judgement for or against something, but there is a difference unreasonably regarding something as unquestionably true on assumption and reasonably regarding something as likely true because it has reasons to support it and has withstood opposing views and critiques. People have the mental capability for both knowability and fallibility. As such critical thinking must be made of so as to discern right understanding from misunderstanding. Critical thinking consistent with knowability and fallibility, should be applied toward the ideas of oneself and others, so as to discern merit and flaws, and work to establish a higher level of conception. Likewise, the practice …show more content…
They do not always end up being positively placed and in their initial state are often immature. The emotions should be cultivated through the development of though and character, so that they are reasonable and they are able to manifest the noblest types of sentiments. So that emotions transcend destructive egoistic and hedonistic preferences, establish a care for the greater people (individually and collectively), and a standard is set in favor of higher value. Developed sentiments can aid in establishing appreciation for values. This appreciation of values, which cultivated emotions an aid in, is a key portion in the shift from ethical understanding to ethical