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Synthesis of ethics and psychology
Greetings
Announcing the newly released synthesis uniting the fields of behavioral psychology and ethical philosophy. Here the instinctual terminology of operant conditioning pro- vides an elementary foundation for a subjective hierarchy of the traditional groupings of virtues, values, and ideals. This formal tie-in with behavioral science effectively validates the subjective prerequisites of the virtuous realm, an innovation based upon a basic set of instinctual terms: namely, rewards-leniency-appetite-aversion. These instinctual terms, in turn, prove consistent with the higher linguistic hierarchy characterizing the virtuous realm: innovation further arranged as a hierarchy of metaperspectives - an ascending sequence of personal, group, spiritual, humanitarian, and transcendental power levels, specialized into both authority and follower roles. The remaining incorporation of individual terms is partially depicted below... Solicitousness . Rewards ... Submission . Leniency Nostalgia . . H-Worship ......... Guilt . Blame Glory . . . . Prudence .......... Honor . Justice Providence . . Faith .......... Liberty . Hope Grace . . . . Beauty ........ Free-will . Truth Tranquility . Ecstasy ........ Equality . Bliss Appetite . + Reinforce....... Aversion . Neg. Reinforce. Desire . . Approval ............ Worry . Concern Dignity . Temperance ...... Integrity . Fortitude Civility . Charity ............... Austerity . Decency Magnanim . Goodness .... Equanimity . Wisdom Love . . Joy ....................... Peace . Harmony Furthermore, the behavioral terminology for punishment serves as the foundation for the darker realm of the vices of defect, a mirror-image reflection of the virtuous mode, with the exception that punishment discourages behaviors judged not suitably solicitous or submissive: as partially portrayed below.. No Solicitous. No Rewards.. No Submissive . No Leniency Laziness . Treachery ......... Negligence . Vindictiveness Infamy . Insurgency ............ Dishonor . Vengeance Prodigal . Betrayal ............. Slavery . Despair Wrath . Ugliness ................ Tyranny . Hypocrisy Anger . Abomination ........... Prejudice . Perdition No Appetite . Punishment ... No Aversion . Punishment Apathy . Spite ....................Indifference . Malice Foolish . Gluttony ............. Caprice . Cowardice Vulgarity . Avarice ............ Cruelty . Antagonism Oppression . Evil .......... Persecution . Cunning Hatred . Iniquity ......... Belligerence . Turpitude In summary, the operant form of conditioned behavior represents an instinctual legacy we share with the rest of the animal kingdom. This behavioral foundation, in turn, permits support for the linguistic hierarchy of motivational terms, an innovation permitted through the symbolism of the human speech lexicon. Indeed, mankind's transition to an urban culture lead to the development of the higher traditions of virtues and values crucial for maintaining social order, as systematized within the language tradition. For instance, the tradition of the cardinal virtues was championed by the Greek philosopher Plato to define the social stratification within the Greek city-state of his day. Furthermore, the attendant spiritual and humanitarian traditions celebrated timeless themes: such as the classical Greek values and the humanistic values. Ultimately, a mystical tradition emerges, as expressed in the crowning set of mystical values (ecstasy-bliss-joy-harmony). What lies beyond this final nameable realm of mysticism remains open to debate, described only as the "supernatural" domain, permitting the potential for a "top-down" pattern of influence as well. A complete listing of ethical terms is posted at: http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/fairhav...erdiagram.html A more detailed treatment is also posted at: www.angelfire.com/rnb/fairhaven/behaviorism.html www.charactervalues.com Sincerely John E. LaMuth - M.S. fax: 586-314-5960 http://www.ethicalvalues.com _____________ |
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