Overview
This lecture covers Elizabeth Anscombe’s "Modern Moral Philosophy," focusing on her critiques of modern ethical language, her call to set aside moral philosophy for now, and her advocacy for a return to Aristotelian virtue ethics.
Anscombe’s Three Theses
- Moral philosophy should be suspended until we have an adequate philosophy of psychology.
- Concepts like moral obligation and duty are remnants of divine law theory and should be abandoned if possible.
- Differences between post-Sidgwick English moral philosophers are insignificant.
Critique of Modern Moral Philosophy
- Most modern ethicists, from Butler to Mill, misunderstand or misuse core ethical concepts.
- The language of obligation, ought, and duty makes sense only within a divine law or natural law framework.
- Present use of such terms is irrational if we have abandoned divine law theories.
Contrast with Aristotelian Ethics
- Aristotle did not use blanket terms like "wrong" but instead referred to specific vices or failures of character.
- Virtue and justice are understood as characteristics essential to human flourishing (telos).
- Being a good human means acting rationally and living in accordance with virtues.
Surviving Language from Divine Law
- Terms like "obliged," "should," and "ought" are psychological leftovers from Christian and Jewish divine law ethics.
- These terms persist culturally even when the underlying divine framework is rejected.
The Problem of Exceptional Circumstances
- No ethical theory can account for all extenuating circumstances; examples are sometimes the only guidance.
- Concepts like "unjust" can depend on context, but some actions (e.g., punishing the innocent) are always unjust.
Virtue Ethics as Alternative
- Instead of "morally right/wrong," we should use specific terms like "just," "unjust," "kind," or "dishonest."
- Justice and virtues are built by repeated actions and relate to human flourishing.
- Ethical dilemmas should focus on reasonableness and concrete examples, not abstract rules.
Flaws in Consequentialism and Contract Theory
- Consequentialism is criticized as shallow because it justifies actions based on expected outcomes, allowing excuses for unforeseen consequences.
- Contractual theories of obligation are rejected since true contracts require conscious agreement.
Philosophy of Psychology Needed
- The study of human action, motivation, and the nature of virtues is needed before meaningful progress in ethics can occur.
- The gap in philosophy of psychology prevents a robust account of virtue and human flourishing.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Divine Law Theory — Ethics rooted in God's law or commands.
- Virtue Ethics — Focuses on character traits (virtues) that lead to human flourishing.
- Moral Obligation — The sense of duty or requirement, historically linked to divine law.
- Telos — The purpose or end for which a being exists; central to Aristotelian ethics.
- Consequentialism — Ethical theory judging actions solely by their outcomes.
- Contract Theory — Moral obligation rooted in social or hypothetical agreement.
- Qua Man — Functioning as a human being, especially regarding rationality.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Anscombe’s "Modern Moral Philosophy" for deeper understanding.
- Consider how virtue ethics differs from deontology and consequentialism.
- Prepare questions for discussion on the viability of moral language without divine law contexts.