Socrates as a Deontologist

Keywords

Theory; Happiness; Ethics; Morality; Teleology; Philosophy; Dialogue; Interpreters

Abstract

[...]there is no strict characterization of teleology or consequentialism that all modem interpreters adhere to.II There is one Socratic dialogue of Plato's that shows Socrates making a selfconscious moral deliberation about his own future action under trying circumstances: the Crito.Because of its narrow focus on one situation, this dialogue provides the best place to observe Socratic moral theory in action.[...]it is not the work of justice to harm people, even enemies who are bad.13 This argument could focus on the issue of introducing more bad than good into the world.[...]I suggest we reject psychological egoism for a view I shall call psychological agathism, namely, that people act to bring about the good simpliciter.

Original Publication Citation

“Socrates as a Deontologist.” Review of Metaphysics 71 (2017): 25-43.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2017-9

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6576

Publisher

The Review of Metaphysics

Language

English

College

Humanities

Department

Philosophy

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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