ethical Rationalism

Ethical rationalism is a philosophical stance asserting that reason, not emotion or tradition, is the ultimate basis for moral judgments. It posits that fundamental moral principles are self-evident truths, akin to those in logic or mathematics.1

Key aspects include:
* Innate Moral Principles: Proponents believe certain moral rules are inherent to reality and accessible through reason.1
* Deontology and Utilitarianism: Some ethical rationalists, like those in deontology, focus on duty, while others, like ideal utilitarians, emphasize rational inference of consequences to determine the greatest good.1
* Renewed Attention: After a period of decline, rationalistic views, emphasizing that moral standards are objective and not dependent on varying attitudes, regained prominence in the mid-20th century through approaches like the "good-reasons" theory.2