Brightsky

Really Good points from unseen & Simon Payton.

Even public intellectuals like Sam Harris in his book ” the moral landscape” could not  appreciate this concept. As he tried to argue for a scientific facts based (as you say) proofs to these types of moral questions. Which I don’t think is possible. In the way that you can find say proofs for examp…[Read more]

• Thanks Davis for your detailed and interesting reply.

• If you get more stuff let the people on this topic know so we can hopefully discuss it.

I have read that are a variety of approaches in deontology.

Ranging from a Kantian absolutist one to more moderate approaches.
For example Kant famously wrote this.

Better the whole people should perish,” than that injustice be done (Metaphysics of Morals Kant 1780)

Injustice= breaking a categorical imperative.

Absolutist conceptions of de…[Read more]

OK thanks Reg I will have a look to see if its on Kindle!

Yep Simon I agree with what you say completely.

However there is some scientific evidence which shows that countries who try to use egalitarian social policies have better social outcomes.

One book I read which tries to demonstrate this is ” The Spirit Level” which you may have already…[Read more]

Veil of ignorance thought experiment by John Rawls.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veil_of_ignorance?wprov=sfla1

Maybe another Intuition pump for atheist to arrive at ethical answers?

I don’t think it the same as utilitarianism

Yep Simon I agree it would be interesting but, to be honest I am not familiar with the subject of justice and legal theory. But from my little knowledge its pretty abstract & for me complicated!

I was mainly concerned as to how one on a pragmatic level how ordinary people like myself work out ethical problems in everyday life.  Which I think you…[Read more]

1) The first comment, sounds to me like what people do in real life situations. When they face a dilemma when two ethical principles clash. In that one tries to see which is more important.

I read something called a reflective equilibrium process Prof John Rawls uses this process to arrive at principles of Justice.

Another person Norman D…[Read more]

Good ideas and comments here!

In my thinking there will be weakness in all the normative ethical frameworks. In my opinion it does not mean that they are complete failures.

One person in the comments gives examples is stealing.

It reminds me of Prof Kohlberg writings!

There is an interesting thought experiment which people may know already.

Related to the comments above…[Read more]

universalizability principle,

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

In my opinion is one important aspect where it is very different to the ” Golden rule”

OK there is some good points about the difficulty of finding ” universal moral values ”

With good examples, about values being in the realm of personal subjective opinion. Which I think is true.

Maybe ” universal ” is not the correct term.

I used that word as I was thinking about The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Are these…[Read more]

I read the comments from different people above there’s a lot of good and valid opinions there.

You mention the ” Golden Rule” what’s your opinion on that compared to ” the categorical imperative ”

Do you think its possible using purely rational methods to arrive at universal moral principles?

Instead of relying on religious moral precepts?

Is…[Read more]

I agree with all the statements above. It is very difficult maybe almost impossible. But I was thinking in terms of applied ethics.

What does one do in real life situations. Which I agree its difficult or maybe impossible! To logically arrive at the “right” values based answers?

But some how ordinary everyday people ( atheist or believers) I…[Read more]

1. Agree, what does a person do when one has conflicting Kantian duties? You know to tell the truth, but also to preserve life! ( axe murder example who is looking for a victim).
2. Do you think it would be possible to understand the main normative ethical frameworks and use a combination of all 3 to arrive at a sensible and practical solution. For…

[Read more]

Really interesting discussion here, enjoying all the input from both sides.

1. One thing I would like to ask Mr Earl Sanborn is how do the people who believe in God explain the problem of evil in the world.
2. Both evil caused by man and also natural disasters?
3. I’ve done some basic reading on it like some of Alvin Plantinga stuff,
4. And Peter…

[Read more]

• Thanks for very interesting comments from everyone. I saw this TED talk which you guys may find interesting!

•  https://youtu.be/oYp5XuGYqqY