G. E. Moore: Principia Ethica

question 32

True/False

G. E. Moore: Principia Ethica
According to G. E. Moore, the fundamental task of moral philosophy is to provide a definition of goodness. In seeking a definition, Moore is not simply trying to discover what it is that most people mean when they say the word good, nor does he aim to stipulate his own novel definition. Rather, he seeks to give an account of the nature of goodness by analyzing the concept in terms of its component parts, much as one might define bachelor as an unmarried man. According to Moore, however, "good" cannot be defined in this sense. This is because the concept of goodness is simple-it has no parts. Moore claims that in this respect "good" is like "yellow": You cannot explain what the concept is to someone who does not already know it.
Moore argues that many previous philosophers have failed to recognize this point, and in doing so have committed what he calls the naturalistic fallacy, the mistake of believing that goodness is identical to some natural property, such as happiness or that which we desire. (Elsewhere, Moore uses a discipline definition of "natural" as a property that is appropriately studied by those working on the natural sciences.) Against any such identity claim, Moore deploys what has become known as the open question argument. For any proposed definition of good, Moore claims, it is always sensible to ask whether things of that sort are good. For instance, the question "Is pleasure good?" appears to be a perfectly sensible question to ask - it is an open question. In contrast, the question "Is pleasure pleasant?" is trivial - it is a closed question. According to Moore, this proves that goodness and pleasure cannot be the same thing. Moore holds that this test can be used to disqualify any proposed definition of goodness, and thus goodness cannot be identical with any natural property.
-In seeking a definition, Moore is seeking to discover how most competent speakers use the word in question.

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Definitions:

Organizational Managers

Individuals responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing the operations and fiscal health of a business unit, division, department, or an operating unit within an organization.

Bureaucratic Organizational Structure

An organizational model characterized by a hierarchy of authority, formalized rules and procedures, and impersonal relationships.

Flexible Organization Structure

Describes an organizational framework that can easily adapt to changes, allowing for modifications in structures and processes.

Horizontal Differentiation

The division of roles and responsibilities within an organization that focuses on the specialization and expertise of its members, rather than their rank or status.