While tediously reading about the millions of different types of philosophical ethics, eyes closing slowly before jolting myself awake to stare at the Times New Roman words illuminating my face, I thought to myself, "Does any of this higher-thinking jargon even resonate with me? What school of ethics do I live my life by?"
Well, after countless minutes of staring at words like, "Epicureanism" and "Cyrenaic Hedonism" I decided that I have no idea which theory is best for me.
I do, however, have an idea of some that definitely do not work for me.
Let's start off with the theory that most people frown upon. Hedonism.
This theory of ethics consists of the idea that the principal ethic is to indulge in the most amount of pleasure as possible, and the least amount of pain. Now, when put like this it doesn't sound so bad. We all want to feel good right?
Ew. I'm sorry, but if hedonism could be represented by any food, it would be salami. A greasy, cholesterol-filled, rod of questionable meat that might taste good, but if you knew what it consisted of, you might want to put it down and sub it in for a chicken breast. If hedonism was practiced by all, there would be a vast movement of murderous, chest-pounding Neanderthals across the world. In order for society to function, one cannot simply avoid all unwanted or uncomfortable scenarios. I know for a fact that the Physics regents caused me GREAT pain, yet if it was not done, I would have failed the class.
Another theory that may be slightly less known, yet equally unsettling was the theory of State Consequentialism. This theory appeals to the realists out there. It states that the moral worth of an action is based on it's contribution to the "goods" of a state. "Goods" being defined as order and material wealth. This, although some might find accurate, I find extremely pessimistic and depressing. I'd like to think that I don't want to lie to my boyfriend (hypothetical, unfortunately) because it is right to be honest, not because it would cause disorder in our relationship. If we all do good deeds for the soul purpose of not wanting to create an frenzied, or uncomfortable situation, then we are a weak, and superficial species.
The last theory that I will poke at, actually at first caught my attention as appealing, and pleasant. It is theory of Stoicism. The idea that the main goal in life is to find peace and serenity. As a self-proclaimed "sort of hippie" I initially smiled at this idea, dreaming of a world where my only concern was my own mental balance. But as I read, I realized that this theory is primarily selfish. Not bothering with the troubles of others, at the risk that it might upset my personal equilibrium suddenly became a very closed minded, and lonely basis of life. If someone close to my died, it might be easier for some to "not let it bother" them, but I for one could never be so heartless. What separates us from apes, is the ability to have emotion, compassion, and camaraderie. These are the values that matter more than having a restful night's sleep.
The options in a community of ethical ideals, much like my career options, are a lot easier for me to criticize, than consider. I have not quite figured out what I believe about the ever fleeting concepts of the meaning of right and wrong, but I have definitely narrowed my choices.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics#Meta-ethics
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hedonism
http://aleph0.info/cursos/ces/bib/GordonGraham-8Theories.pdf
