Moral and Social Philosophy

Moral doctrine is focused on the habits, customs, and values of a certain individual (Wikipedia, 2007). It has the by-line sub-categories meta-ethics normative ethics as well as, applied ethics (Wikipedia, 2007).One of the major contributors of this school of thought is Immanuel Kant who said that deontology holds that an act is considered to be by rights if it goes with the moral rule or principle (Ethical.., 2001). For example, p bents will gift to decide whether or non to have their children vaccinated. Since it is required by the law then the parents will have to take on their children to be immunized it is the right thing to do because it goes along with the moral rule or principle (Ethical.., 2007).Social philosophical systemSocial philosophy is technically defined as a study which addresses dilemmas concerning social/human behaviors (Wikipedia, 2007). It covers the following areas effects of culture, effects of science, revolution, social contract, etc (Wikipedia, 2007 ). Simply put, social philosophy concerns itself with moral principles as applied to chores of equality, freedom, as well as, justice (Wikipedia, 2007).One of the major contributors of social philosophy is John Locke who maintaind that men are equal, free, as well as independent and so, they possess the faculty of reason, which gives them the right to preserve their property including their life, liberty, as well as, estates (Bennagen, 2000).In addition to that, he believes that the state of spirit is one that is in a state of perfect equality, freedom, liberty, and rationality but it is possible to turn into a state of war especially in cases where there exists the absence of a common judge (Bennagen, 2000). Thus, for him, entering into social contract is necessitated so as not to go through anything that is similar to the state of war (Bennagen, 2000). Last but not least, he also believes that the people have the right to resist a government that tyrannical in nature (Bennage n, 2000).SubjectivismSubjectivism is the act of making moral judgments, however, based on an individuals emotion (Ethics.., n.d.). For example, in legal opinion if something is nice, an individual has to have a positive emotions about it otherwise it should not be labeled or declared as something nice (Ethics.., n.d.).Advocates of subjectivism claim that since moral judgments are decided upon subjectively or basing on emotions, then individuals are fully rational during such a period (Ethics.., n.d.).The major problem with subjectivism, however, is that, since it is based on emotions, the person may all the more arrive at wrong decisions or judgments, for example, dating a nice and handsome young but married man may musical note nice but that doesnt mean it is moral to do so (Ethics.., n.d.).One kind of subjectivism is cognize as metaphysical subjectivism and one of the major contributors of the aforementioned school of thought is Descartes (Wikipedia, 2007).EgoismEthical self-a ssertion or simply egoism is doing something to fulfill an individuals own interest whether it may be good or harmful to other people (Wikipedia, 2007). Egoism does not take into friendliness the social welfare of others nor does it do anything to be of assistance or help to others (Wikipedia, 2007).One of the contributors of this particular school of thought is doubting Thomas Hobbes who advocated that self-interests should be pursued and practiced so that freedom may be equal to everybody (Wikipedia, 2007). He also believes that even if there is self-interest, it is impossible that an individual may be harmed because humans are typically the homogeneous when it comes to their wants and needs (Wikipedia, 2007).Virtue EthicsVirtue Ethics is where Aristotles moral theory is taken into consideration (Ethical.., 2001). Here, it is said that an act is right if it is what a virtuous agent would do in the circumstances (Ethical.., 2001). lets take for instance, the case on immunization , currently, there is a dilemma with regards to having every child immunized before going to school, utilizing virtue ethics in critical thinking, parents may decide that they will allow their children to be immunized because it is not only good for their children, but it will benefit all the others as well (Ethical.., 2001).Ethical RelativismEthical relativism is where social, personal, historical, as well as, cultural considerations are the basis of ones judgment or decision (Wikipedia, 2007).A contributor to this school of thought named Jean-Paul Sartre in fact claims that persons morals, if any, will be proven only if the person follows certain social norms (Wikipedia, 2007).UtilitarianismJohn Stuart mill arounds Utilitarianism is built on the concept or principles of utility, which he believes is the foundation of morals (Bennagen, 2000). It holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the repeal of happiness (Be nnagen, 2000). Happiness, according to John Stuart Mill, is equated to pleasure and the absence of pain, while unhappiness, for him, refers to pain and the privation of pleasure (Bennagen, 2000). monotone ImperativeThis rationally dictates a course of action independent of whatever goals the agentmay have (Encarta, 2007). By this, Immanuel Kant also meant that the moral law is categorical or that it applies to all situations, and by imperative, he meant, it is commanding, thus making it absolutely authoritative (Gaarder, 1991).Immanuel Kant stated the Categorical Imperative in two key formulations 1) performance as if the maxim of your action were to become through your will a general natural law (Encarta, 2007), meaning, that it should apply to all people in all societies at all times (Gaarder, 1991) and 2) Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of another, always as an end and never as a means only (Encarta, 2007). By this statement, he meant, we sh ould not exploit others to our own wages (Gaarder, 1991).ReferencesBennagen, Pia. (2000). Social, Economic and Political Thought. Quezon City Universityof the Philippines Press.Encarta. (2005). Immanuel Kant. Retrieved may 26, 2007 from http//www.encarta.com.Ethical Theories Compared. (2001). Retrieved May 26, 2007 fromhttp//www.trinity.edu.Ethics 02 Subjectivism. (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2007 fromhttp//www.jcu.edu/philosophy/gensler/et/et-02-00.htmGaarder, Jostein. (1991). Sophies World. New York Farrar, Straus & Giroux Inc.,Wikipedia. (2007). Cogito Ergo Sum. Retrieved May 26, 2007 fromhttp//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogito_Ergo_SumWikipedia. (2007). Egoism. Retrieved May 26, 2007 fromhttp//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_egoismWikipedia. (2007). Ethical Relativism. Retrieved May 26, 2007 fromhttp//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_relativismWikipedia. (2007). Moral Philosophy. Retrieved May 26, 2007 fromhttp//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_philosophyWikipedia. (2007). Social Philosophy. R etrieved May 26, 2007 fromhttp//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_philosophy