Do rights exist?

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

40. I'm afraid I have some major disagreements with you.

First, morality certainly can be defined. Morality (from the Latin moralitas -- "manner, character, proper behavior&quot is the differentiation of intentions, decisions, and acts between those that are "good" (or "right&quot and those that are "bad" (or "wrong&quot . All ethicists would agree on some variant of that definition.

The arguments come over which acts are good and which are not. As I said in a previous post, moral systems, like mathematical systems, are axiomatic. An axiom is a statement which is assumed to be true, for which no proof is given. I gave some examples (there are others):

• "The greatest good for the greatest number"

• The Stoic view that the greatest good is contentment and serenity

• The Confucian idea that good acts contribute to social harmony

• Nietzsche's view of that which benefits the Übermensch is good, that which harms him is bad

• The Catholic view that good acts "serve man and help individuals as well as groups to affirm and develop the dignity proper to them" (Vatican II's Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes, section 9)
This is the one I, personally, subscribe to.

Given your favored axiom, you then use reason to see how you can develop an ethical system from it. Acts are good if they further what you deem as your moral view, bad if they hinder it. Thus, one certainly can reason one's way to morality. In fact, I have done so.