Two different questions
In ethics, there are two kinds of question:
- How do we know whether a situation is good or bad, better or worse? This is studied by value theory.
- How do we know which action is right? This is studied by normative ethics.
This chapter is about the first question. Not about how people usually judge things, but about how to judge them correctly.
Good in itself and good as a means
Suffering seems to be the clearest example of something bad in itself. But the same thing can be:
- good in itself and good as a means (a pleasure that gives you energy to work);
- good in itself and bad as a means (a pleasure that makes someone put off something important);
- bad in itself and bad as a means (a pain that keeps you from doing good things);
- bad in itself and good as a means (the pain of a shot, which prevents a disease).
Better than isn't the same as good
One situation being better than another doesn't mean it's good. If A is worth -1, B is worth -2, and C is worth -3, then A is the best of the three, but it's still bad.
In one respect, or all things considered
A situation can be good in one respect (for example, there's more food) and bad in another (for example, there's more disease). When we put it all together, we make a judgment all things considered.
In short
- Value theory asks what's good or bad.
- Something can be good in itself, good as a means, or both.
- "Better than" doesn't mean "good."