Philosophical Meditations

Is Utilitarianism Just the Same as Hedonism? Analyzing Bentham and Mill's Views

Volume 2, Issue 6 , July 2010, Pages 7-32

Abstract

If we divide ethical issues and theories into three subdivisions of descriptive, normative and analytical (meta-) ethics, surely we have to place the consequentialist and deontological ... Read More

Ibn Arabi and His Followers on Moral Responsibility

Volume 2, Issue 6 , July 2010, Pages 33-58

Abstract

One of the ethical problems in the mystical systems which are based on Unity of Being is how to explain the nature of moral responsibility. Ibn Arabi believes that there exists no reality ... Read More

A Catalogue of the Existing Manuscripts in Ethics in Shahid Motahhari Supreme School's Library

Volume 2, Issue 6 , July 2010, Pages 59-93

Abstract

The existing manuscripts in Iran's libraries are regarded as an indispensible cultural heritage. This old heritage has been preserved across the ages, thanks to devotion and endless ... Read More

The Rationality of Living Morally from Thomas Nagel’s Point of View

Volume 2, Issue 6 , July 2010, Pages 95-121

Abstract

Rationality is a distinguished feature of human being and a desirable characteristic. Apparently other-regarding and altruistic behaviors, also, seem to form salient aspects of human ... Read More Rationality is a distinguished feature of human being and a desirable characteristic. Apparently other-regarding and altruistic behaviors, also, seem to form salient aspects of human life. The immediate question, then, would be: is altruism rational? Assuming that altruism constitutes an essential part of a morally good life, further questions emerge: Is living a morally good life consistent with being rational? Is it possible to find a rational ground for ethics? Can one be genuinely altruistic? Is it possible to act morally and rationally, not considering one’s self-interests? If altruism can be rationally justified, do we need a specific model of rationality? This survey has been constructed around Thomas Nagel’s views on the above issues, their pros and cons, possible interpretations, various problems and ways out of them. However, before doing this I will address and clarify some general principles and presuppositions hidden under these issues. This will be done in the first chapter. The opponents of the possibility of (genuine) altruism and its rationality, sometimes called ‘egoists’, have formulated their views in different forms and defended them by various arguments. Knowing that I cannot fully investigate egoism, I will try to briefly explain these claims and arguments and subsequently evaluate them in the second chapter. This will set the scene for the study of Nagel who finds (genuine) altruism possible and rational. Based on his understanding of practical reason and the kind of perspective each person should have of oneself, Nagel defends the possibility and rationality of altruism. In his analysis of (human) act, in general, and moral act, in particular, Nagel gives way to reason, rather than desire. He parallels the form of reason and objective considerations regarding altruism with the form of timeless reason in prudence and considerations concerning long-term interests. Such reasons are 'objective' or 'agent-neutral' since they contain a kind of objective reference which does not rely on any specific person, reasons like "that acting would relieve someone's pain". If it is possible for an agent to be rationally motivated in prudence by considering long-term interests, it would also be possible for the agent to be rationally motivated in the case of altruistic considerations by taking an impersonal, external, perspective-less, or agent-neutral point of view amongst others who are as real as the person – otherwise, as Nagel claims, a kind of solipsism is unavoidable. From this position, he would not find any specific characterization placing him in a privileged point.

Kendi’s Philosophical Approach Regarding Options for Dealing with Sorrows and Sadness

Volume 2, Issue 6 , July 2010, Pages 123-139

Abstract

Abu Yusef Yaqub Ibn Ishaq Kendi (185-252 Hejira), who is known as an Arab philosopher & the first philosopher in Islam, has written a distinctive book on various approaches to deal ... Read More

Is Levinas's Ethics a Postmodern Ethics?

Volume 2, Issue 6 , July 2010, Pages 141-157

Abstract

This article aims to examine the postmodern element of Levinas's ethics. At first, the nature of postmodern ethics is described in order to provide a background about this kind of ethics ... Read More

The Need for Observing Ethics in Business and Professions

Volume 2, Issue 6 , July 2010, Pages 159-177

Abstract

The professional ethics is a set of accepted and sensible actions and reactions that are established by professional organizations so as to utilize social relations among ... Read More The professional ethics is a set of accepted and sensible actions and reactions that are established by professional organizations so as to utilize social relations among members and employees, implementing professional duties and responsibilities. Nowadays, ethics and the professional conduct based on it is so important that even large business-industry companies adhere to professional ethics and its celebration in the form of professional conduct or the Code of Ethics, as a guide for managers and employees in their relations on the one hand, and the important strategy of organization issue in relationship with customers on the other. Trades and businesses are viable and thriving only with their customers – and this can be obtained by honesty and effective communication. The survival and success of any business follows professional ethics in the business. In recent decades the investments based on ethical principles has become one of the most important topics in the field of business. The roots of this tendency in society and also among the investors are very different. Using analysis-descriptive method, this paper seeks to explain the importance of ethics in business, the effects of applying the principles of the thriving and increasing business and the challenges ahead in this field. Also in this paper, the addition to explaining the principles of ethics to business professionals, we will discuss the pathology of non-compliance with these principles. The principals of professional ethics are fairness, commitment, keeping secrets, competence and professional care. Professional ethics can be examined from four aspects: society, interest groups, behavior of individuals within the organization, together with the other people outside the organization. Ethical issues should be considered in different parts of the business such as finance, human resources management, marketing and sales promotion activities, manufacturing operations, intellectual property, knowledge and skills management, and international trade.

Philosophical Meditations

Articles in Press

Current Issue

Volume 13 (2023)

Volume 12 (2022)

Volume 11 (2021)

Volume 10 (2020)

Volume 9 (2019)

Volume 8 (2018)

Volume 7 (2017)

Volume 6 (2016)

Volume 5 (2015)

Volume 4 (2014)

Volume 3 (2013)

Volume 2 (2010)

Volume 1 (2009)

Volume & Issue: Volume 2, Issue 6, July 2010, Pages 1-177

Is Utilitarianism Just the Same as Hedonism? Analyzing Bentham and Mill's Views

Abstract

Ibn Arabi and His Followers on Moral Responsibility

Abstract

A Catalogue of the Existing Manuscripts in Ethics in Shahid Motahhari Supreme School's Library

Abstract

The Rationality of Living Morally from Thomas Nagel’s Point of View

Abstract

Kendi’s Philosophical Approach Regarding Options for Dealing with Sorrows and Sadness

Abstract

Is Levinas's Ethics a Postmodern Ethics?

Abstract

The Need for Observing Ethics in Business and Professions

Abstract