Moral Behavior and Moral Realism: the Case for Arguments in Ethics

Abstract

RESUMO:Meu objetivo aqui é mostrar o quão fácil é lidar com o utilitarismo de preferências e maximizar a utilidade pessoal (ou animal) quando somos confrontados com um pequeno conjunto de ações possíveis. Uma vez que a reduzimos o escopo das ações possíveis, ou seja, ao que é factível, nós também nos tornamos facilmente capazes de identificar o comportamento adequado ou inadequado, ao menos em termos da maximização racional das preferências desejadas. ABSTRACT:My intention here is to show how easy it is to deal with preference utilitarianism and to maximize personal (or animal) utility when we are faced with a small set of possible actions. Once we reduce the scope of possible actions, that is, what it is feasible to be done, we are also easily able to identify the proper or improper conduct, at least in terms of rational maximization of desired prerefences.Consider the case of a cat. I have a couple of these creatures, and my interactions with them are usually borderline asinine. A typical interaction between me and my cats, however, usually involve a peculiar set of words:words of encouragement (good cat!/nicely done Fiddle MacFee!/who dat nice kitty? You dat nice kitty, yes you are!) or disencouragement (bad kitty!/no kitty, no!/ Stinky Ol'Katt, you, sir, are in deep trouble!). While using such words I attribute some value to actions my cats are performing, and I am hoping that they are able to respond to my input by reproducing action that I