Putting Moral and Philosophical into a Scientific Basis - Essay Example

?Morgan: Putting Moral and Philosophical into a Scientific Basis and Contribution towards Establishment of Civic Peace and Motivating Mankind in Fulfilling their Civic Duties. Philosophy and science are generally regarded as two subjects entirely different from each. In fact most philosophical concepts are not relevant to concepts of science. It is a fact generally accepted that some aspects and phenomenon of this world are explained by logic. The rest are explained by science. However, there is an underlying and deep connection between philosophy and science since both of them are found on common ground knowledge. Thus, in his book, Morgan had tried to trace moral and political philosophy within realm of science and its numerous branches. He had also tried to establish civic peace as a way to direct mankind to fulfill their individual civic duties. To delineate these, Morgan has illustrated lifestyles and works of some of the greatest philosophers, sociologists, mathematics and scientists like- Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, etc. Through some selective excerpts of their works, Morgan has tried to establish his goal. Moreover, he has also attempted to motivate citizens in performing their civic duties by analyzing the aspects which makes thought and action of one individual different from another. Once goodness of soul is achieved, citizens will be able to establish civic peace in their societies (Matthews,. 4-27). History Philosophy and science were interrelated from the very beginning, so much so that philosophical ideas developed during seventeenth century has played a huge role in development of science and technology of modern times (Matthews,.1). It was during the beginning of seventeenth century that contradictory views of Plato and Aristotle were noticed by the modern world. At that time, philosophies theories and ideas were re-modeled due to two important contemporary movements- the European Renaissance and Scientific Revolution, with the latter supporting medieval thinking patterns of Plato. However, aspects of Aristotle’s views had more to offer regarding “empiricism, essentialism, naturalism and teleology” (Matthews, 5). Added to these, Aristotle’s thinking had directly influenced thinking of some of the greatest geniuses like Galileo, Newton, etc. who in turn contributed a lot to modern philosophy. The fact that science and philosophy are interrelated is proved again and again. For instance, the proposition that the stars do not twinkle because they are near or because the stars are so near that they do not twinkle. When there is no conversion of the middle term with more relative non- explanatory term, or at times when the middle term is present outside, the proposition is proved by logic but the reason remains unexplained (Matthews, 31-32). Solution to this unexplained reason can be traced with help of different branches of science, like- optics can be related to geometry, mechanics to solid geometry, harmonics can be related to arithmetic and watching stars and comets could be linked to astronomy. This is what Morgan had tried to establish in his book. Putting moral and political philosophy on a scientific basis Appropriate upbringing is required for making good citizens. For this reason, people must learn to abstain from pleasure and pain generated by every single action. The same hypothesis is supported by medical treatments- the corrective treatments to be more precise. Thus, science has its own remedies for pleasures and pains as consequence of any action generated by excess of virtues. Virtue is a part of moral philosophy which pursues people to avoid anything that is wrong. The difficulty to fight pleasure makes both craft and virtue more challenging. This theory holds true for political science also (Morgan, 267). ‘Knowledge’ exists in two forms, namely of “fact” and of “consequence of one affirmation to another”. While the former one relies on individual’s sense and memory, the latter strictly relies on science. Philosophy and logic differs from science in the sense that while science requires concrete evidence or witness, the former ones do not. This makes philosophy an ‘absolute knowledge’, and unlike science, the knowledge is unconditional (Morgan, 577). Political science is closely related to human virtues. Just as it was practiced by Spartans and Cretans, modern politicians focus more on habituation of virtues to make the citizens more virtuous and law- abiding. Morgan has stood for superiority of political science over medical science because the politicians need to posses detailed and thorough knowledge about human soul, the resting place of all virtues. This is a difficult task for unlike the human body, components of souls are not easy to understand, and that the components differ from individual to individual, makes the task more complicated (Morgan, 264). Thus, by comparing political science directly with science, Morgan has tried to establish science as the basis of political functions. The elements of virtue and vice, which are basically aspects of moral philosophy, can also be categorized within the realm of science. Science is considered as a law of nature, and therefore Morgan has opined that “justice, gratitude, modesty, equity, mercy” the ways of peace are undoubtedly related to different branches of science (Morgan, 604). Establishment of civic peace and fulfillment of civic duty Morgan has unanimously agreed upon the fact that virtue is supreme of all, and that virtue must be practiced in thought and character. But these quality needs to be taught and practiced. Also, this quality has to be present within one’s own self otherwise it is not possible to inculcate it. Thus, virtue is part of nature and is also conditioned in us by nature. When virtue is exercised, it has a pervading effect. Being an element of nature, it does not contain any implicit negative effect. This peace and harmony is promoted both by virtue of thought and character. Thus, Morgan has insisted that, it is the duty of legislators to create groups of good citizens by habituating or conditioning them with good practices and thoughts (Morgan, 266). What Morgan aims is, showing the right ways to virtue or general good. Neither excess nor deficiency in virtue is advantageous. Virtues differ in human beings according to their strength and health, resulting in ruining of one’s potentials. Also, excess of virtue would also negate the presence of other virtues. Habituation of virtues blends, making them components in the course of actions. The course of actions acts both as cause and effect of virtues. Thus, controlling and balancing one’s virtues would inevitably lead into social order and peace. Becoming good citizens and performing civic duties depends on ‘powers’ of man. Other than natural powers, man acquires other strengths or powers. For instance, having friends, family and servants asserts a man’s power. Riches, reputation of power, popularity, etc. contribute to liberality and powers of any man. A perfect blending of these makes a man beloved and feared at the same time. According to Morgan, this is essential for maintaining civic peace within a society, for such a man would be able to propagate love and promise of good and protect the weak at the same time (Morgan, 579). Only if all law-making powers are rested with legislative body of a society, only then it would be possible to establish civic peace. Once the citizens become responsible and are able to recognize the goodness in them, they will perform their social duties. Realization of one’s own self, especially one’s nature motivates an individual to execute his social duties. This is what Morgan has tried to achieve by discussing elements like virtue, goods, vices, pleasure, pain, happiness, power, etc. Thus, civic peace and civic duty rests more on individual man than society as a whole (Morgan, 708). Conclusion This paper throws a good deal of light on moral and political philosophies from Morgan’s point of view, as well as the civic rights and duties of people. Aspects necessary for establishing civic peace within a society are also discussed at length. Art imitates nature and science is an integral part of nature. Therefore, the fundamental nature of science and art and philosophy establish a concrete relation among them. Art and society in broader aspects is entirely dependent on numerous philosophical concepts such as virtues, vices, goodness, civic duty, etc. Within a society, these standards are set not only by ‘sense- value’ of citizens but also by mechanism of natural sciences. Also, a thin line of difference exists between didactic explanations of the foundational laws of dynamics in terms of philosophy and science. Thus, metaphysics, ontology and epistemology are intensively related to science (Matthews, 7- 11). Regarding performance of civic duty and civic peace, Morgan has shifted the whole responsibility on legislative bodies of a society. He has also stressed upon the quality of teachings imparted to individuals, especially during the time of their upbringing. He shares that an individual must be trained in such way that there is no excess of any virtue, power or strength. This would help in making an ideal citizen who would perform all his civic duties. Disproportionate amalgamation would result in social and political unrest. This theory of Morgan is extremely relevant in present times, as the root of all social owes is nothing but absence of adequate virtues, powers, and strengths. References Matthews, R. Michael. ed. The Scientific Background to Modern Philosophy: Selected Readings. US: Hackett Publishing, 1989. Print. Morgan, L. Michael. Classics of Moral And Political Theory. US: Hackett Publishing, 2005. Print Read More