The Paradox of Supreme Good: Is It Just a Matter of Perception?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of "supreme good" and whether it can exist given the subjective nature of morality and happiness. Participants explore philosophical perspectives on morality, utilitarianism, and the implications of individual perception on the notion of a universal good.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that supreme good cannot exist because it is impossible to satisfy everyone, suggesting that morality is inherently subjective.
  • Others argue that utilitarianism's goal of achieving the "greatest good for the greatest number" is undefined due to the complexity of measuring happiness and its varying degrees.
  • One viewpoint emphasizes personal happiness over the happiness of others, suggesting that understanding oneself is key to achieving happiness, independent of external validation.
  • A participant introduces the idea that 'supreme good' could be defined relative to individual survival and well-being, implying a more subjective interpretation of morality.
  • Another participant challenges the notion that there is a singular "right" answer in moral dilemmas, suggesting that moral judgments are relative and context-dependent.
  • There is a request for clarification on how Gödel's incompleteness theorem relates to the discussion of morality, indicating a desire for deeper exploration of the philosophical implications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the existence and definition of supreme good, with no consensus reached. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of individual perception on morality.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference philosophical concepts such as utilitarianism and Gödel's incompleteness theorem, but these connections remain underexplored and are subject to interpretation.

Saint
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Or you may call it The Highest Morality.
I was told that no matter how good are you, you can only satisfy some people, and some not satisfied. So, supreme good can never exist.
IS my logic correct?
 
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I think so. Some people's interests are directly opposed to others, so that to make one set happy you automatically make the other set unhappy.

The utilitarians said you should try for the "greatest good of the greatest number." But that is undefined; you have two variables, number and degree of happiness, and the function joining them could have various maxima and minima. There's no guarantee that both would reach a maximum for the same action.
 
I don't focus on trying to make anybody happy, because that's not my responsibility. I think to the degree that we understand ourselves, then to that degree we know how to be happy ourselves, and then it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks. Neither do I think it's possible to be happy be trying to please everyone else, not without being delusional anyway. :smile:
 
Originally posted by Saint
Or you may call it The Highest Morality.
I was told that no matter how good are you, you can only satisfy some people, and some not satisfied. So, supreme good can never exist.
IS my logic correct?

'Supreme' is a funny word, and in a way I agree that supreme good is impossible. But one could also claim that, relative to the observer, the 'supreme good' is whatever is necessary and proper for his own survival and well being (keeping in mind that helping others would fit into this category because it always comes back to you, or at least makes you feel good about yourself).
 
I disagree, I think that you merely proved that given a number a choices, it is impossible to tell what is truly the best, you can only decide what you think is best. I do believe that in any given nontrivial circumstance there is only one right and who cares how many wrongs. I think a variation/implication of Godel's incompleteness theorem proves this.
 
A cat (aspecialy mine).
 
Originally posted by Jonathan
I disagree, I think that you merely proved that given a number a choices, it is impossible to tell what is truly the best, you can only decide what you think is best. I do believe that in any given nontrivial circumstance there is only one right and who cares how many wrongs. I think a variation/implication of Godel's incompleteness theorem proves this.

Yes, but who decides what's right and what's wrong? All right and wrong would be relative to the person deciding, would it not? What is right for one person would be wrong to another, and thus supreme good is relative to the individual, and outside the human perception the words good, bad, right, and wrong are simply inapplicable.

I don't see how Godel's theorem would prove what you said, please elaborate.
 

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