In this paper, I want to show that the emancipation of the Self did not just start in the eighteenth century with the enlightenment, but earlier – even in Hellenism. Basically, my research revolves around the question, to what extent moral standards still have a binding nature; are they useful to let people participate, because they appeal to a personal sense of morality, or are they solely based upon an alleged sensus communis?
Table of Contents
0. Introduction and definition of the problem
I. Morality in ancient times
1.1 Plato and Aristotle
1.2 Summary
1.3 Stoicism and Epicureanism
1.4 Summary
1.5 Eclecticism and Scepticism
1.6 Summary
II. Renaissance authors
2.1 The adaptation of Plato and Aristotle in the Renaissance
2.2 Summary
2.3 Stoicism and Epicureanism in the Renaissance
2.4 Summary
2.5 Eclecticism and Skepticism in the Renaissance
2.6 Summary
III. Morality: to what ends in modern times?
3.1 Some general conclusions
3.2 The traces of different forms of morality in our times
3.3 Modern Western societies: a lack of shared morality?
Research Objectives and Key Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to examine the evolution of morality from antiquity and the Renaissance into modern times, specifically investigating how the emancipation of the Self has influenced the shift from a shared sense of morality to modern individualism. The research explores the tension between private moral demands and public requirements, questioning whether contemporary moral standards retain a binding nature or have been reduced to pragmatic or economic principles.
- Historical analysis of Platonic, Aristotelian, Stoic, and Epicurean moral frameworks.
- Evaluation of Renaissance adaptations of classical philosophical traditions.
- Investigation into the modern tension between personal freedom and public moral responsibility.
- Critical assessment of the role of rationality in shaping societal norms versus private interests.
- Examination of the decline of the sensus communis in contemporary Western societies.
Excerpt from the Book
0. Introduction and definition of the problem
In modern times, there seems to be a strict division between personal and public life. In ancient Greece, it seemed to be the other way around: only citizens who were able to act as ‘good men’ could also be responsible citizens. Michel Foucault has described this in his seminar cycle Hermeneutics of the self, where he examines the life of a Greek Prince, Alcibiades, who is not ready for state affairs, because he has not yet attained the just balance in his self-control. Self-control was considered as a condition for strong leadership.
With Plato and Aristotle we see a kind of ‘ontological morality’, which is based upon the thought that there is some kind of predisposition in one’s nature and that it is possible to adjust one’s moral behavior to that more or less fixed ‘nature’. In Hellenism, we see a shift to the practical aspect of moral philosophy: practical wisdom gets in reach for everyone, unless one is unable to use his rational faculties.
In the Renaissance, morality is placed in a context of Christian faith – in which religion is a binding factor, but not always the most important one. Since the enlightenment, there has been a radical shift towards the liberation of the Self. Though it seems that the emancipation of the modern citizen and his proclaimed self-liberation turned into narcissism; no one wants to be responsible for the shared values in society, since we all have to live up to our own high standards. Leading a good life has become a burden, rather than a tribute to the freedom of choice, as for example in Immanuel Kant’s moral system.
Summary of Chapters
0. Introduction and definition of the problem: Provides a historical overview of moral shifts from antiquity to the present and sets the research question regarding the binding nature of modern morality.
I. Morality in ancient times: Analyzes the foundational philosophies of Plato, Aristotle, Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Scepticism, focusing on how they balanced individual rationality with social order.
II. Renaissance authors: Examines how Renaissance thinkers adapted classical traditions, integrating them into Christian frameworks and emphasizing personal self-enhancement.
III. Morality: to what ends in modern times?: Concludes that modern morality is characterized by fragmentation, individualization, and a shift toward pragmatic or economic justifications rather than a shared, binding sense of morality.
Keywords
Morality, Ethics, Self-emancipation, Rationality, Hellenism, Renaissance, Stoicism, Epicureanism, Scepticism, Individualism, Public Life, Sensus Communis, Freedom, Social Norms, Pragmatism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research?
The research explores the evolution of moral philosophy from antiquity to the modern era, specifically analyzing the shift from shared moral values to individualistic, modern moral perspectives.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The work covers themes such as the definition of the 'good' life, the role of rationality, the relationship between private and public life, and the impact of the Enlightenment and secularization on contemporary moral frameworks.
What is the core research question?
The paper asks to what extent moral standards still possess a binding nature, or if they have become entirely based on personal sense and individual preference.
What scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses a chronological historical analysis, comparing succeeding philosophical positions and investigating their influence on contemporary moral discourse.
What does the main body address?
It provides a detailed breakdown of ancient philosophies, their adaptation by Renaissance writers, and an analysis of how these historical concepts manifest in current Western societies.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include morality, ethics, self-emancipation, rationality, sensus communis, and individualism.
How does the author interpret the concept of 'modernistic' tendencies?
The author defines 'modernistic' as tendencies leading toward narcissism, indifference, and the fragmentation of shared values in contemporary society.
What conclusion is drawn about modern Western societies?
The author concludes that modern Western societies lack a shared sense of morality, relying instead on legalistic and pragmatic standards rather than the idealistic moral frameworks of the past.
- Quote paper
- Ralph Wallenborn (Author), 2013, Morality. To what ends in modern times?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/344298
