Outlines of a Critical Theory of EthicsDewey, John
Philosophy
Outlines of a Critical Theory of Ethics
Dewey, John
Ethics
On the other hand, effective social interest is based upon what is
vaguely called 'faith in humanity', or, more specifically, belief
in the value of each man's individuality, belief in some particular
function which he might exercise, given appropriate conditions and
stimuli. Moral interest in others must be an interest in their
possibilities, rather than in their accomplishments; or, better, in
their accomplishments so far as these testify to a fulfilling of
function--to a working out of capacity. Sympathy and work for men which
do not grow out of faith in them are a perfunctory and unfertile sort
of thing.
This faith is generally analyzed no further; it is left as faith in
one's 'calling' or in 'humanity'. But what is meant is just this:
in the performing of such special service as each is capable of,
there is to be found not only the satisfaction of self, but also
the satisfaction of the entire moral order, the furthering of the
community in which one lives. All moral conduct is based upon such a
faith; and _moral theory must recognize this as the postulate upon
which it rests_. In calling it a postulate, we do not mean that it is a
postulate which our theory makes or must make in order to be a theory;
but that, through analysis, theory _finds that moral practice makes
this postulate_, and that with its reality the reality end value of
conduct are bound up.
In calling it a postulate we do not mean to call it unprovable, much
less unverifiable, for moral experience is itself, so far as it goes,
its verification. But we mean that the further consideration of this
postulate, its demonstration or (if the case so be) its refutation,
do not belong to the realm of ethics as such. Each branch of human
experience rests upon some presupposition which, _for that branch_, is
ultimate. The further inquiry into such presuppositions belong not to
mathematics, or physics, or ethics, but to metaphysics.
Unless, then, we are to extend our ethical theory to inquire into the
possibility and value of moral experience, unless, that is, we are to
make an excursion into the metaphysics of ethics, we have here reached
our foundation. The ethical postulate, the presupposition involved in
conduct, is this:
IN THE REALIZATION OF INDIVIDUALITY THERE IS FOUND ALSO THE NEEDED
REALIZATION OF SOME COMMUNITY OF PERSONS OF WHICH THE INDIVIDUAL IS A
MEMBER; AND, CONVERSELY, THE AGENT WHO DULY SATISFIES THE COMMUNITY IN
WHICH HE SHARES, BY THAT SAME CONDUCT SATISFIES HIMSELF.
Otherwise put, the postulate is that there is a community of persons; a
good which realized by the will of one is made not private but public.
It is this unity of individuals as respects the end of action, this
existence of a practical common good, that makes what we call the moral
order of the world.
Shakespeare has stated the postulate--
To thine ownself be true;
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou can'st not then be false to any man.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account