Chapter4

ValueThe Quest for the Good

Value – The term comes from the Latin word

valere, meaning to be of worth.

From Plato’s Republic:

1. Purely intrinsic good2. Purely instrumental good3. Combination goods

Hedonism: The doctrine that holds that all pleasure is good, that pleasure is the only thing good in itself, and that all other goodness is derived from this value.Hedonism comes from the Greek word hedon, which means pleasure.

Sensualist: A person who equates all pleasure with sensual titillation

Satisfactionist: A person who equates all pleasure with satisfaction or enjoyment, which may not involve sensuality.

Are divided into two separate groups:1. Monists: Believe that there is a

single intrinsic value, but that it is not pleasure. 2. Pluralists: Admit that pleasure is an intrinsic good, but that there are other intrinsic goods as well.

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

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

only.

Value Theory is at the heart of Moral Theory.

From our values we derive principles. We judge which principle to use, then

decide what to do. Weakness of will: meaning to do the

right thing, but being too morally weak to accomplish the task.

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

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