Philosophy 101: Beliefs and Values

TIPS on WRITING for PHILOSOPHY

Lots of professors have gathered together great advice on how to study and read and write philosophy. Here are some useful sites (link here and for another link here.)

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  • jsrummager // October 30, 2007 at 9:42 pm | Reply

    I. Principle of Egoism- One may act on any plan that he/she has determined for oneself, regardless of its effects on others. Each individual is a law unto himself.
    II. Principle of Nonmaleficence- Everyone is the law unto themselves, but one must respect the autonomy of others. No one is obliged to become a means for someone else’s plans or goals without consent! Do what is best for you with minimum harm to others.
    III. The Categorical Imperative-The reason to act on principle is the only reason that is truly a moral one. A principle is justified if it can be universalized without inconsistency. Act as if the Maxim(rule) were to become a universal law. The categorical imperative relies only on the primitive logical notion of inconsistency to evaluate an action.
    IV. John Rawls “Contract Ethics”- The greatest liberty principle and the differenc principle. The greatest liberty principle is based on the idea that a cooperative arrangement should involve the equal distribution of liberty, compatible with a like liberty for all. no one knows their gender, status, or level of wealth, each person would assign equal shares of liberty to each individual no matter what theri staus or position (Common Good). The difference principle suggests that for the same reason that participants in the original position would choose equal shares of liberty for each other, they would also choose equal shares of all other goods, including wealth, status, roles, regcognition, etc….*The least advantaged in a certain practice or institution should be better off woth whatever unequal arrangement he/she has than without it; thus, inequalities are not morally right if they are not to the benefit of the least advantaged in the group.
    V. Egoism (Consequentialist)- One should act in a way that benefits you, regardless of the harm or benefit to others. There is no consideration of the effects to others.
    VI. Tit for Tat- You should cooperate when others do, and not cooperate when other don’t. A. Game Theory
    B. Prisoners Dilemma
    VII. The Golden Rule- this principle states “All things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them”. In other words, treat others the way you would want to be treated. Based on Reciprocity.
    10/30/2007 Justin Rummage

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