The Historical Connection between Traditional & Modern Ethics

Written by: Kelly L. Hunter

“Ethics, or moral philosophy, is the philosophical study of moral judgments—value judgments about what is virtuous or base, just or unjust, morally right or wrong, morally good or bad or evil, morally proper or improper” (Moore & Bruder, 2005, p250). It was the Sophists who first came up with the idea that any moral judgments must in fact be supported by way of reason.
Socrates and Plato both agreed with the Sophists’ theory and through the years helped to develop and define (with their own theories) what we know as moral and ethical behavior today. The foundation to Traditional ethics is comprised of many elements, one being the influence of Christian philosophy introduced by St. Augustine.
St. Augustine may have been one of the most influential philosophers of his time but he was not alone in the effort to bring harmony to darkness. St. Hildegard’s ethical writings influenced a beginning to religious mysticism during the early centuries (Moore & Bruder, 2005). It has been said that she was one of the most important philosophers of her time as well as in the history of philosophy itself.
In today’s society, we seem to have lost a grip on the goodness and have become more involved with self. Evolution has taken its course through philosophy’s early views on how one should live their life; although the desire to possess good virtues and ethics are still at the forefront of humanity, times have changed and what were once controversial issues have now become more acceptable and less taboo.
Modern ethics and traditional ethics are linked through the past and one has evolved from the other. In a sense the more traditional ways were probably superior to the way that we live our lives today, however; we have achieved outstanding progress in accepting that the world is beautifully diverse and what might not work for you may work for someone else.












Reference

Moore and Bruder, “Philosophy: The Power of Ideas” McGraw-Hill Companies, (2005), (6th ed).