Lec 14: Are There Absolute Moral Rules?

Reminders....

Extra credit....

Writing to me....

2525 Obama doctor’s appointmentNOT: phil 2525 question

Reading Quiz: ch 8 lec 14Is morality discovered or invented?

Lec 14 PowerPoint

"Are There Absolute Moral Rules?" (Elements Ch. 8)   Kant’s Categorical Imperative (short and sweet)

A Categorical Imperative for Science Journalists  

Case Study:   Hiroshima and Nagasaki  (and other terror bombings)

          Morality, Reduced to Arithmetic    NYTimes

Suggested:  Hiroshima and Nagasaki   Wikipedia

Discussion:    All's Fair in Love and War

Discussion:  The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas   Ursula K. LeGuin     

(if you prefer Omelas in pdf)  

Two-tier Utilitarianism

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?

8.1 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...

8.2 The Categorical Imperative

Imperative: a command or order Categorical: without qualification

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

8.2 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....

8.2 The Categorical Imperative

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

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

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

Shift in terminology....

consequentialist: "good", "bad", "value”

deontological: "right", "wrong",

"duty"

8.3 Absolute Rules and the Duty not to lie...

Inquiring Murderer Case

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

Kant and the Golden Rule?

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

8.4 Conflicts between Rules

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

The case of the Dutch Fishermen...

8.5 Another Look at Kant’s Basic Idea

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

8.5 Another Look at Kant’s Basic Idea

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

Key implications

8.5 Another Look at Kant’s Basic Idea

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

Key implications

This doesn't require absolute rules (Rachels)

Is Kant too dismissive of the moral importance of consequences?

Returning to Truman’s Decision...

School of the Americas

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

Attendance Question...