It is fundamental that virtue is the only good for a Stoic. There is not a perfect proof for why virtue is the sole good. As my philosophy professor at Drury U used to say, “you have to bite the bullet when deciding to commit to any particular ethical theory.” People at times despair that… Continue reading Why Virtue Is the Only Good
Tag: altruism
Stoicism and David Hume
David Hume held the belief that ethics couldn’t be derived from reason but only from sentiment. Basically, morality is founded on non-rational emotional responses to experience. Hume thought of reason like a dog tied to a cart going wherever passion/desire would take it and doing so quite willingly. Stoicism’s views are similar to Hume’s in… Continue reading Stoicism and David Hume
Stoicism and David Hume
David Hume held the belief that ethics couldn’t be derived from reason but only from sentiment. Basically, morality is founded on non-rational emotional responses to experience. Hume thought of reason like a dog tied to a cart going wherever passion/desire would take it and doing so quite willingly. Stoicism’s views are similar to Hume’s in… Continue reading Stoicism and David Hume
Why is virtue the only good?
It’s fundamental that virtue is the only good for a Stoic. There’s not a perfect proof for why virtue is the sole good. As my philosophy professor at Drury U used to say, “you just have to bite the bullet when deciding to commit to any particular ethical theory.” People at times despair that if… Continue reading Why is virtue the only good?
Stoic Virtue vs Objectivist Virtue
Ayn Rand can be characterized as a virtue ethicist. Rand claimed her virtue theory was inspired by Aristotle. Ayn Rand reinterpreted Aristotle’s eudaimonic virtue theory within the lens of rational egoism. Rand explained her virtue theory as selfish and she had in mind an enlightened selfishness. So let’s consider Rand’s selfish virtue theory. Ayn Rand’s… Continue reading Stoic Virtue vs Objectivist Virtue