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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
5 pages. William Frankena in his article "Why Be Moral" feels that those who have been moral would choose to do so again if given the chance. For instance, when Socrates chose to be moral by refusing to escape from prison on death row, he was making a rational choice. He was able to make a rational decision to not be immoral. This paper explains this theory and also looks at utilitarianism as quoted by J. S. Mill, and discusses the difference between act and rule utilitarianism. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
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5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_JGAmoral.doc
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
if they could look back over their actions from the vantage point of perfect hindsight." Frankena is making an important point about morality and its relationship to rationality.
When Socrates chose to be moral by refusing to escape from prison on death row, he was making a rational choice. He was able to make a rational
decision to not be immoral. Frankena is pointing out that it is easy to recognize the inherent ability to rationalize virtually any immoral behavior as being something a person
simply wants to commit. "Casting the issue in terms of a disposition to be moral is a promising approach in that it appears it might allow the theory to
ground morality in self-interest, while at the same time avoid the problems involved in showing that it is rational to act morally on every occasion. Indeed, the dispositional move
is the only available option to contractarian theories, if they are to avoid the problems with the act by act approach" (Superson PG). In effect, the philosopher was saying that
by continuing forward with such things that appear inhumane or controversial, it only serves to bring a positive outcome to the majority, leaving the minority to accept what the masses
deem as acceptable. The concept of a rational society, in which the entire community is greatly influenced by principles its members completely and accept without challenge -- has indeed
proven to be one of the most powerful standards of our culture. "Why be Moral? Is it because its the rational thing to do? And if youre
rational, wont you necessarily act in your own self-interest? Is every instance of acting morally an instance of acting rationally? Philosophers have offered many answers to meet the skeptics
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