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From: mms1646@acf4.UUCP (Michael M. Sykora)
Newsgroups: net.philosophy
Subject: Re: Premises,Premises,Premises,... (is good logical?)
Message-ID: <1310021@acf4.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 14-Jun-85 21:36:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: acf4.1310021
Posted: Fri Jun 14 21:36:00 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 18-Jun-85 00:51:01 EDT
References: <294@ihlpm.UUCP>
Organization: New York University
Lines: 33


>/* rlr@pyuxd.UUCP (Arthur Pewtey) /  5:17 pm  Jun 12, 1985 */

>Everyone on this planet
>thinks the best morality is based on good.  The problems occur when you ask
>each of them to define good.

Is it not absurd to say that "the best morality is based on good," and then,
afterwards, to define good?

>Logically, the MOST good would be accomplished
>by that system which is good to the most people over the longest period of
>time.

In order to maximize GOOD, we must select that system that is a member
of the set of possible systems, such that the total good, i.e., the sum
over all persons in the system of the good for each person, in the system
is maximal.  Your statement above fails to take into account the fact that
within a given system, the good for all persons need not be equal.

>It would seem logical
>that the system that produces the most good for the most people for the
>longest time would work out to be the best (most good) in the long run.

This conclusion only necessarily follows from your examples given one of a set
of possible assumptions regarding the power of each person, e.g., the
assumption that each person has the same amount of power to change the
situation to be in his favor.


>"Do I just cut 'em up like regular chickens?"    Rich Rosen    ihnp4!pyuxd!rlr

								Mike Sykora