The Worth of Persons

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The death of a person is a tragedy, while the explosion of a lifeless galaxy is merely a rework. This moral distinction is rooted in the intrinsic worth of humans, which makes their fate significant. Australian philosopher James Franklin argues that ethics is founded on this worth rather than merely on right and wrong actions, rights, and virtues. He posits that human moral worth stems from unique properties that set humans apart from other beings, such as rationality, consciousness, the capacity for reasoned action, emotional depth, love, and individuality. This complex combination renders humans the "piece of work" described by Hamlet as "How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty." Through clear prose and informed philosophical argument, Franklin establishes a foundation for ethics based on the equal worth of persons, making ethics objective and resistant to relativist critiques, as it is grounded in the metaphysical truth about humanity. This work appeals to those who feel that ongoing debates about ethical dilemmas and principles often overlook what truly matters ethically: the intrinsic value of human beings.