CONSEQUENTIAL INTENTIONALISM. AN EVALUATION OF THE APPLICABILITY OF PETER ABELARD’S ETHICS.

Abstract

In his Ethica, Peter Abelard argues for consent as the only criterion for moral evaluation. This argument of Abelard seems to present his ethical system as subjective and therefore cannot be put into practice. This paper seeks to critically analyze the practicality of Abelard’s ethical system in the human society. Taking into consideration some ethical debates of the twelfth-century, some criticisms of Abelard’s moral ethics of consent are discussed. However, I will assert that in spite of these criticisms, Abelard’s ethical system is nonetheless (1) consistent and (2) objective. Establishing the consistency and objectivity of the ethical system of Abelard will lead me to the conclusion that Abelard’s ethical system is applicable in the human society.