Lec 15: Are There Absolute Moral Rules?

Reminders....

Extra credit....

Writing to me....

2525 Obama doctor’s appointmentNOT: phil 2525 question about....

Two-tier Utilitarianism

Rule Utilitarianism

Act Utilitarianism

How would a rule about lying

have affected some of the

disturbing scenarios in

chapter 8?

1. arrest of the innocent man?

2. the laughing policemen?

Is Utilitarianism too demanding?

Is Utilitarianism too demanding?

Is Utilitarianism too demanding?

Are There Absolute Moral Rules? Yes, according to the Divine Command

theorists...

No, according to the Utilitarians...

What do you think?

What does Kant think?

9.1 Harry Truman and Elizabeth Anscombe

Truman: the end justifies the means...

Anscombe: there are some things that may not be done, no matter what...

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Hiroshima: 70,000 died immediately.

By the end of the year, another 30,000 to 60,000 died from burns and radiation poisoning....  

Nagasaki: immediate 40,000 to 70,000 dead- by end of year - another 10,000 or 20,000 dead

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Hiroshima: 70,000 died immediately.

By the end of the year, another 30,000 to 60,000 died from burns and radiation poisoning....  

Nagasaki: immediate 40,000 to 70,000 dead- end of year - another 10,000 or 20,000

Elizabeth Anscombe....

It does not matter if we could accomplish some great good by boiling a baby.....it just must not be done...

Elizabeth Anscombe....

It does not matter if we could accomplish some great good by boiling a baby.....it just must not be done...

Elizabeth Anscombe....

It does not matter if we could accomplish some great good by boiling a baby.....it just must not be done...

9.2 The Categorical Imperative

Imperative: a command or order Categorical: without qualification

Duty-defined morality.... No exceptions....

9.2 The Categorical Imperative

According to Kant, we must ignore the consequences because they tempt us away from our duty. Our Reason tells us what is the right thing to do. We musn’t let our emotions (fear and desire) fudge the line....

9.2 The Categorical Imperative

Hypothetical imperative......if you want this result, you should do this....

Categorical imperative......you should do this (regardless of your wants....)

9.2 The Categorical Imperative

Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.

Maxim: a sentence giving a general

truth or rule of conduct

Note the shift in terminology....

Consequentialist (Utilitarian): good vs. bad (analog)

Deontological (Kantian): right vs. Wrong (digital)

9.3 Kant’s Arguments on Lying

Inquiring Murderer Case

If he asks you where his intended victim is...

9.3 Kant’s Arguments on LyingAnscombe asks: What if we write the rule

to reflect the circumstances more closely?

It’s wrong to tell a lie except when a life hangs in the balance.

Problems?

Kant and the Golden Rule?

A maxim for writing maxims...

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

9.4 Conflicts between Rules

If two rules can ever come into conflict, they can't both be absolute...

The case of the Dutch Fishermen...

9.5 Kant’s Insight

Moral judgments must be backed by consistent (impartially applicable) reasons.

9.5 Kant’s Insight

Moral judgments must be backed by consistent (impartially applicable) reasons.

This has significant implications....

9.5 Kant’s Insight

Moral judgments must be backed by consistent (impartially applicable) reasons.

This has significant implications.

Consistency requires absolute rules.

Rachels disagrees with that last bit...

Is Kant too dismissive of the moral importance of consequences?

There might be a dead body...

Returning to Truman’s Decision...

School of the Americas

Demonstrations calling for the closing of the SOA. 22,000 protesters...

Blueberries vs. Crunchlets... http://www.thatsfit.ca/2011/01/25/blueberries-for-high-blood-pressure/?icid=main|canada|dl2|sec2_lnk1|

197229

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_HjvjB4G5s&feature=player_embedded

<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-_HjvjB4G5s" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_HjvjB4G5s&feature=player_detailpage

Our buggy moral code...

Dan Ariely...

http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_ariely_on_our_buggy_moral_code.html