Ethics and society: A.W.H. Adkins and the moral values in Homer

Authors

  • Matías Leiva R. Universidad Andrés Bello

Abstract

Homeric Ethics has been studied by several academics and philosophers. However, the interesting analysis made by A.W.H. Adkins places him as a key author on the subject. In this article, following Adkins’ rigorous philological investigation, we will attempt to demonstrate that the “Homeric Ethics” does not surpass the limits of its own context and that it does not constitute, properly, an ethical system, but rather must be understood as a code of conduct that is born from the actions of men and that aims to produce a functional society oriented towards war and competition.

Keywords:

Ethics, morality, honor, utility, human actions

Author Biography

Matías Leiva R., Universidad Andrés Bello

Lic. Filosofía y Lic. Educación en P. Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. MA in Classics, Nottingham University. Prof. De Filosofía en Univ. Andrés Bello. Coordinador de Ética DUOC, U.C.