Ethics is the critical exploration of and experimentation with morals and values.
Morals and values are, just carefully considered preferences about what’s right and wrong (morals) and what’s good and bad (values).
Normative ethics is the critical exploration of and experimentation with overarching principles by which morals and values are, evaluated.
A normative moral value is the supreme moral value by which all others are evaluated.
Mine is as follows:
The natural needs of oneself and those closest to oneself (closest genetically, spiritually and literally) precede the artificial wants of those furthest from oneself.
The former is of primary importance, indispensable, both extrinsically, for one’s long term happiness, and intrinsically, the latter is of secondary importance, expendable.
Ideally we should satisfy both, but realistically if circumstances force one to choose, the former shouldn’t be compromised or jeopardized for the sake of the latter, the latter should be compromised or jeopardized for the sake of the former.
It’s always worth pursuing the former, but sometimes it isn’t worth pursuing the latter, not only because the latter can compromise or jeopardise the former, but because pursuing the latter, just isn’t worth it.
Altho it depends on the person and people, often it’s better to keep one’s artificial wants few, far in between/readily attainable.
Better to be free from anxiety, in a state of ataraxy, than worrying much about what one doesn’t need.
In order to further clarify what I mean, a natural need is something we can’t survive or be in a fair (doesn’t have to be great or perfect) health without, physically, mentally and emotionally.
What damages the mind ultimately damages the body one way or another.
Ideally one should take care of their needs and the needs of those closest to them by taking care of others’ needs, but realistically if circumstances force one to choose, again the former should be prioritized over the latter.
Anyway, looking forward to feedback, to criticisms of my propositions, as I’m already well aware that much more needs to be clarified.
I’m also looking forward to having others share their own idiosyncratic normative morals and values, here, if they have any, as well as exploring well known ones, such as utilitarianism (‘the greatest happiness for the greatest number’), Kantianism (his ‘treat others as ends, not as means’ and his other, wordier one, which escapes me) and so on.