Final answer:
The concept of what is considered good or bad is a central theme in value theory in philosophy. It is often influenced by cultural norms and is a subject of debate in various areas like morality, aesthetics, and ethical behaviors. Approaches in philosophical ethics, such as virtue ethics and Kant's emphasis on goodwill, reflect the complexity of defining these concepts.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing what makes an action or a concept good or bad, we enter into the realm of value theory, a branch of philosophy that examines our judgments about values relating to morality, politics, aesthetics, and social issues. One of the primary distinctions in determining the goodness of an action is whether the inherent nature of the act is good, the intention behind it, or its outcomes. However, the classification of good or bad often varies with time and place, suggesting that our value judgments on morality and ethics are not absolute but rather social constructs that fluctuate with cultural norms.
There are numerous philosophical approaches to this, such as virtue ethics, which is based on the examination of different virtues and their role in ethical behavior; ontology of value, which studies the being of values; and perfectionism, which aims for the highest attainable good. For instance, Aristotle did not believe in a fixed 'form' of the good but instead advocated for the study of specific instances or particulars to understand values. Similarly, philosopher Immanuel Kant emphasized the intrinsic value of goodwill — valuing it for its own sake rather than for the results it achieves.
These discussions are not just abstract philosophical exercises but are essential in navigating real-world debates about moral issues, aesthetic judgments, and societal norms. Our understanding of modesty, for example, may invoke rank-defining value judgments that reflect aristocratic values such as respect, esteem, and characteristics that affirm life.