ON THE HIERARCHY OF ETHICAL MODELS AND ARGUMENTS. HIERARCHY OF ETHICAL SYSTEMS 1

ON THE HIERARCHY OF ETHICAL MODELS AND ARGUMENTS.

HIERARCHY OF ETHICAL SYSTEMS

1) Virtue Ethics (imitation)

2) Rule Ethics (deontological ethics)

3) Outcome Ethics (teleological ethics)

All of us that we describe as functioning humans can imitate the virtuous. As we mature we can understand the value of normative rules. As we gain wisdom and knowledge we can grasp the different outcomes that are produced by nuances. But more importantly, ethics are the list of rules by which we are forgiven for our errors, and lauded for our successes. We will not be chastised as a child for imitating virtue even if we err. We will not be chastised as an adult for following ethical rules, even if we err. We will not be chastised in our late maturity for following teleological ethics even if we err.

HIERARCHY OF ETHICAL ARGUMENTS

1) Sentimental

2) Moral

3) Rational

4) Scientific

5) Economic

6) Ratio-Scientific (including economics)

WE HUMANS EXIST IN VARIOUS AGES, with various knowledge, with various cognitive abilities. We must all cooperate given those differences. We must give the young and inexperienced what they can use, and the wizened and aged what they can use. And we must work together with our youth and age to cooperate for mutually beneficial ends.

FOR ANY POLITICAL MOVEMENT TO SUCCEED it must produce the entire suite of arguments. Because humans can only grasp some maximum level of argument given their abilities and knowledge at any given point. If you wait until all members can argue ratio-scientifically then you will never achieve your political goals. If you argue sentimentally and morally you can never defeat your opponents.