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Why Should I Be Moral? The Ring of Gyges

Why Should I Be Moral? The Ring of Gyges. This question is not about what is moral (an issue of “normative” ethics) but about why I should do what I acknowledge is moral when it is not in my self-interest to do so (a “metaethical issue). Answers to “Why Be Moral?”.

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Why Should I Be Moral? The Ring of Gyges

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  1. Why Should I Be Moral? The Ring of Gyges This question is not about what is moral (an issue of “normative” ethics) but about why I should do what I acknowledge is moral when it is not in my self-interest to do so (a “metaethical issue).

  2. Answers to “Why Be Moral?” • Rational: my justification for acting morally is precisely because I see it as moral • Objection: why be rational? • Religious: God links sanctions (punishments and rewards) to immoral/moral behavior • Objection: not persuasive to non-believers • Social: adherence to moral rules promotes the rational self-interest of everyone • Objection: not persuasive to free riders

  3. Divine Command Theory The good is whatever God commands (as identified in the Scriptures) because it is God’s command Objections: • What God wills can be arbitrary • Scriptures conflict and need interpretation • If God’s will is not arbitrary, then moral principles are justified non-religiously

  4. Social Contract Theory • Following moral rules is the best way for us to promote our rational self-interests • To discourage free riders, we need to make it difficult to get away with breaking rules • Objection: this does not explain why everyone has an obligation to be moral

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