Outlines of a Critical Theory of Ethics · John Dewey
I.
Definition of Ethics. The term ethics is derived from a Greek word meaning manners, customs, habits, just as the term morals is derived from a Latin word with a similar meaning. This suggests the character of the science as an account of human action. Anthropology, ethnology, psychology, are also, in their way, accounts of human action. But these latter branches of knowledge simply _describe_, while the business of ethics is to _judge_. This does not mean that it belongs to ethics to prescribe what man ought to do; but that its business is to detect the element of obligation in conduct, to examine conduct to see what gives it its _worth_. Anthropology, etc., do not take into account the _whole_ of action, but simply some of its aspects--either external or internal. Ethics deals with conduct in its entirety, with reference, that is, to what makes it conduct, its _end_, its real meaning. Ethics is the science of conduct, understanding by conduct man's activity in its whole reach. Three of the branches of philosophy may be called _normative_, implying that they deal with some _norm, standard_ or _end_, estimating the value of their respective subject-matters as tested by this end. These are Logic, dealing with the end Truth, and the value of intellectual processes with respect to it; Æsthetics, dealing with Beauty and the value of emotional conditions as referred to it; and Ethics, as defined above. But this norm in no case comes from outside the subject-matter; it is the subject-matter considered in its totality.
Ideas discussed in this chapter
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