 The five norms that we discuss are forms of relativism

1. Hedonism – is seeking our own happiness.

2. Utilitarianism – seeking the happiness of the greatest number.
3. Law/Positive Law – what is commanded - the right. What is forbidden.
4. Unwriten Law – talking about custom
5. Pragmatism

 Why Relativism? We judge an act as good or bad in relation to the individual or to the society.
 If its is relativism – everything is relative. It means that the action is judged according to the
consequence of an act.
 Hedonism - If the consequence of an act promotes your own happiness, pleasurable
 Utilitarianism - If it is for the greatest majority
 Pragmatism - If it is practical, workable, beneficial to you
 If it is based on consequence of an act, then on larger understanding, relativism really is
CONVENTIONAL MORALITY (kind) – beyond what is commanded, beyond what is forbidden. But
on the basis of the idea that the act is neither good nor bad of itself, but because of the
outcome or result that is being forbidden or commanded or oughting what is beneficial to you
that makes the act good or bad. In contrast with NATURAL MORALITY.

 All forms of relativism are CONVENTIONAL MORALITY. Beyond what is commanded, forbidden.

 Pragmatism is closely associated with utilitarianism, the only difference lies on the fact that
pragmatism is an epistemological theory, whereas utilitarianism is an ethical theory.

 What do you mean about epistemological?

- What is true, not what is good. Because if we talk about episteme, it means
knowledge, it means true. Holding what is true is that we satisfy you which is beneficial to you,
which is to your own advantage. Unlike utilitarianism, that is ethical, holding what is good not
what is true. What is good is the happiness of the people.

 Besides talking about the relation between pragmatism and utilitarianism. Pragmatism is an
expanded form of utilitarianism. You know that utilitarianism is derived from pleasure.
Originally, when we talk about happiness it means pleasure. But beyond pleasure, anything is of
your advantage, benefit – we call this one PRAGMATISM. That is why it is an expanded form of
utilitarianism.

 If UTILITARIANISM limits itself only to happiness or pleasure, but if it is beyond pleasure or

happiness then it is called PRAGMATISM.

 If you’re pragmatic - theres an outright rejection/refusal of an absolute final ultimate end.

 Pragmatic – foremost in your mind really is the satisfaction of proximate, penultimate,
immediate end, NOT THE ULTIMATE OR FINAL END.

 There are two kinds of end:

1. PENULTIMATE/INTERMEDIATE/PROXIMATE
2. FINAL
  PROXIMATE - means to a further end
 John lewis - continuity of means and ends
Why listen? Because you want to pass
Passing an exam- not an end in itself but it is a means to pass the subject.
Passing the subject is not an end in itself but means to a further end…
**Continuity of means and end
There is continuity because your end is not the ultimate or final end.

 Pragmatism is not the same as moral opportunism

 Moral opportunism - as an individual you develop your mental capacity/maturity, you can have
physical maturity, but you are morally immature (you don’t have moral maturity) so you are
considered as a moral opportunist.
 If you’re a moral opportunist- there’s a refusal to have moral principles, not because you are a
moral opportunist because you are using opportunities for your own advantage (that is not what
we mean by moral opportunism) you are considered a moral opportunist because you don’t
have moral maturity, if you don’t have moral maturity then it means that you don’t have moral
position in life - Your aim is aimless, you’re brought with the tide, you’re uncommitted, then you
can be considered moral opportunist

Arguments in support of pragmatism:

1. Man is imperfect/ limited/ finite - if you’re e sensitive to your limitations, you will realise theres
no point in talking about ultimate end since you’re finite. Rather than being ambitious about
attaining ultimate end, we need to focus on proximate end
2. Life is a continual readjustment- your decision now can be modified later. It speaks of changing
the proximate end rather than entertaining the ultimate or final end.
3. What method are you using. Pragmatism works with trial and error method. If pragmatic ka- dili
sin ang live-in partners. Entering into a marriage is an indifferent act depending on particular
custom or culture.
Final end - go to heaven
Even the final end can be relative
Relative to the individual

Counter arguments:
1. Accepting our limitations- but if the final end stares at you, you don’t have to reject or refuse.
There’s a possibility that one may encounter ultimate end. Life is always in constant
readjustment- an adjustment of means but not of ends. Doesn’t negate that there’s final end.
2. Pragmatism works on a trial and error method - presuppose or implies the recognition or
knowledge of the end. You can have trial and error because you have known the end.
3. There’s always an end that cannot be a means to a further end.
1. Pragmatism- focus on proximate end, satisfaction of your immediate end
We do not stop just because we accomplished our immediate end. There’s a new chapter that we want
to fulfil.
We are not satisfied with what we have because life is always a constant search.
We have not attained the final end
Final end requires us to continue pursuing what we have. The reason why theres that burning desire not
to be contented with proximate end is because were longing for ultimate end.
When you say that everything is relative- you are establishing an absolute your own ...
relativism is not the same as subjectivism