
This text is an in-depth analysis of ethics and what it entails. It starts with discussing the meaning of ethics, then it proceeds discussing about various ethical concepts. The text then examines various interpretations and schools of thoughts concerning of ethics, ethical values, and ethical relativity. The author further delves in the concept of ethical responsibility and finally discusses the relation of religion to ethics and explains the Shi’a point of view about this important subject.
- The Philosophy of Ethics
- Translator’s Introduction
- About The Author
- Chapter 1: The Definition And Significance Of Ethics
- A Lexical Definition Of ‘Akhlaq’
- The Technical Meaning Of Ethics
- Deep-Rooted Qualities Of The Soul
- The Qualities Of The Soul
- Ethical Virtues
- The Ethical Organization Of Life
- A Code Of Conduct That Rules Over Individuals
- The Science That Is Ethics
- The Different Kinds Of Ethical Research
- Descriptive Ethics
- Substantive Ethics
- Meta-Ethics
- Logical Questions
- The Philosophy Of Ethics
- The Problems Of The Philosophy Of Ethics
- The Importance And Position Of The Philosophy Of Ethics
- A History Of Ethical Discussions Amongst Muslim Thinkers
- The Necessity For Discussions On The Philosophy Of Ethics
- Chapter 2: Ethical Concepts 1 - General Discussions
- Ethical Concepts
- Three Types Of Universal Concepts
- Quiddity
- Logical Concepts
- Philosophical Concepts
- The Subject In Ethical Statements
- The Predicates Of Ethical Statements
- Viewpoints On The Definition Of Ethical Concepts
- Definist Theories
- Intuitionism/ Non-Naturalistic Theories
- Non-Cognitive Theories
- The Source Of The Genesis Of Ethical Concepts
- External Reality
- Insha’ And Itibar
- Human Nature
- Chapter 3: Ethical Concepts 2 - Must And Must Not
- The Different Types Of Necessity
- Essential Necessity
- Necessity By Means Of Another
- Necessity In Relation To Another
- The Concept Of Must In Ethics
- The Existence Of The Most Possible Good
- Needless Of A Definition
- Command And Decree
- A Means Of Expressing One’s Emotions
- Necessity By Means Of Another
- A Clarification Of The Preferred View
- The Difference Between Necessity In Value And Non-Value
- The Difference Between ‘Must’ When Used In Ethics And When Used In Law
- Chapter 4: Ethical Concepts 3 - Good And Bad
- Unfruitful Attempts To Analyze The Concepts ‘Good’ And ‘Bad’
- The Concepts Of Physical Beauty And Ugliness
- Beauty Possesses An External Existence
- Beauty Is A Philosophical Concept
- A Sentiment And Emotion
- An Examination Of The Different Views Regarding Ethical Goodness And Evil
- External Existence
- A Sign Of The Feelings And Emotions Of The Speaker
- Absolute Convention
- The Divine Command Theory
- A History Of The Discussion Amongst The Muslim Thinkers
- The Meaning Of Good And Evil And The Claim Of The Asharis
- Perfection And Deficiency
- Being In Accord With Or In Opposition To Temperament
- Being In Accord With Or Opposition To A Goal
- Praise And Scorn
- An Explanation Regarding The View Of The Asharis
- Possessing A Source Of Abstraction In The External World
- The Root Of Ethical Differences
- Chapter 5: The Reality Of Ethical Statements
- Declaration And Convention
- An Examination Of A Few Views
- Non-Descriptive Schools Of Thought
- Our View
- The Benefit Of Using Inshai Statements In Ethics
- The Consequences Of Understanding Ethical Statements To Be Inshai
- The Need For Someone To Form Them
- The Necessity For Two Faculties Of Knowledge
- Not Having A Standard For The Intelligibility Of Ethical Rules
- Ethical Propositions Are Capable Of Being Demonstrated
- Understanding Ethical Rules As Relative
- Chapter 6: Ethical Values
- Chapter 7: Ethical Responsibility
- The Importance Of The Discussion Of Responsibility
- The Meaning Of Responsibility
- The Responsibility Of An Individual Or Group
- The Conditions Of Ethical Responsibility
- Power And Ability
- Knowledge And Awareness
- Free-Will And Independent Choice
- A Critique And Examination Of The Proofs Of The Determinists
- Philosophical Determinism
- Natural Determinism
- Theological Determinism
- The Absolute Power Of God And Determinism
- The Absolute Knowledge Of God And Determinism
- Divine Predestination And Determinism
- The Different Types Of Responsibility
- Responsibility To One’s Self
- Responsibility In Relation To Others
- Responsibility In Relation To Other Beings
- Chapter 8: An Examination Of The Theory Of Ethical Relativity
- The Different Kinds Of Ethical Relativity
- Descriptive Relativism
- Meta-Ethics
- Normative Relativism
- A Delineation Of The Subject Of Debate
- Schools Of Thought Within Ethical Relativism
- A Description And Critique Of The Proofs Of Ethical Relativism
- Demonstration By Way Of Descriptive Relativism
- Demonstration By Means Of Understanding Ethical Rules To Be Inshai In Nature
- The Schools Of Thought Within Absolutism
- Our Opinion
- Chapter 9: The Relation Of Religion To Ethics
- Introduction
- A History Of The Discussion
- An Examination Of A Few Views
- The Mutual Exclusion Of Ethics And Religion
- The Theory Of Unity Between Religion And Ethics
- The Theory Of Cooperation
- The Ways In Which Religion Depends Upon Ethics
- The Ways In Which Ethics Needs Religion
- The Definition Of Ethical Concepts
- The Specification Of Ethical Values
- Distinguishing The Goal Of Ethical Virtues
- Guaranteeing The Execution Of Ethical Values
- The Impossibility Of A Secular Ethics
- An Explanation Of Our View
- Bibliography