Greg Detre
Thursday, 19 April, 2001
Jeremy Watkins, Hertford
Ethics I
��� when an amoralist � suggests that there is
no reason to follow the requirements of morality, what can we say to him?�
(Williams) What can we say?
In a sense, Williams� quotation provides a criterion by which we can judge the persuasiveness of a moral theory. If die-hard, self-proclaimed amoralists can be brought round to embrace a particular moral perspective, then the justification for that morality must be very powerful.
There are certain prerequisites that we can see, that any amoralist must first accept before they are likely to accept morality as a whole.
fw
ability to be altruistic (=having some immediate concern for the interests of others)
is it necessary that moral dictates be undesirable???
if we follow them purely out of self-interest, aren�t we missing the point of them being a morality???
sympathy vs empathy
sympathy as the paradigmatic moral motivation
(vast difference between the immediate, impulsive sympathy that develops naturally in human beings and the impersonal concern to maximize the good)
impartiality of response vs integrity
let us sketch our amoralist
egoistic
loves anarchy
values are based indirectly on our weaknesses
can there be such a thing as an amoralist???
main approaches to persuading an amoralist
indoctrination (ideally from early age)
game theory
even if game theory does persuade us, then morality has lost its force. it becomes merely an indirect form of self-interest, rather than having the inherent sway that morality ought
philosophy
nietzsche shows the implications of contractualism
how is the debate about whether or not we are capable of altruism different from the free will debate???
how is convincing an amoralist different from convincing someone who has different morals???
what is an amoralist???
amoral /eI"mQr(<schwa>)l/ a.L19. [f. A-10 + MORAL a.] Unconcerned with or outside morality; non- moral.amoralism n. the practice of disregarding morality E20.amoralist n. E20.amo'rality n. amoral quality E20.
moral /"mQr(<schwa>)l/ n.LME. [Use as n. of MORAL a., infl. also by late L morale neut. sing., moralia neut. pl., Fr. moral, morale (cf. MORALE).]1 In pl. & �sing. Moral matters: the title of various books by classical writers, spec. St Gregory the Great�s work on the moral exposition of the biblical Book of Job. LME. 2 a The moral teaching or practical lesson of a story, event, etc. L15.b An exposition of the moral teaching or practical lesson contained in a literary work; that part of a work which applies or points the moral meaning. Now rare. M16.<unknown>c Import, significance. L16�M19.3 <unknown>a A symbolic figure. Only in L16.b A counterpart, a likeness. Chiefly in the very moral of. M18.4 = MORALITY 4b. Long obs. exc. Hist. L16.5 In pl. & �sing. Moral habits, conduct, or (formerly) qualities; habits of life with regard to right and wrong conduct; spec. sexual conduct; without qualification, good or right habits or conduct. E17.6 In pl. (usu. treated as sing.). = MORALITY 5a. Now rare. M17.7 A moral certainty. slang (now chiefly Austral.). M19.8 = MORALE 2. Now rare. L19.2a DICKENS There�s a moral in everything.Scientific American As a general moral we conclude that war as man wages it finds no counterpart in nature.5 A. BEVAN This may be sound economics. It could not be worse morals.Weekly News (Cambridge) He was concerned over the lack of morals..among the town�s young people.
morality /m<schwa>"ralIti/ n.LME. [((O)Fr. moralit�.) late L moralitas, f. L moralis: see MORAL a., -ITY.]<unknown>1 Ethical wisdom; knowledge of moral science. Only in LME.2 In pl. Moral qualities or endowments. Now rare. LME. 3 a Moral discourse or instruction, moralizing; a moral lesson or exhortation. LME. <unknown>b Moral sense or interpretation; the moral of a story, event, etc. LME�E17.4 <unknown>a A literary work or artistic representation inculcating a moral lesson; a moralizing commentary; a moral allegory. LME�M17.b A drama of a kind (popular in the 16th cent.) intended to inculcate a moral or spiritual lesson, the chief characters being personifications of abstract qualities. L18.5 a The doctrine or branch of knowledge that deals with right and wrong conduct and with duty and responsibility; moral philosophy, ethics. LME. b In pl. Points of ethics, moral principles or rules. E17.c A particular system of moral philosophy or moral conduct. L17.6 The quality or fact of being moral; the degree of conformity of an idea, practice, etc., to moral law; moral goodness or rightness. L16.7 Moral conduct; esp. good moral conduct; behaviour conforming to moral law; moral virtue. L16.4b HUGH WALPOLE The actors seemed like figures in a Morality.5a SWIFT The learning of this people..consisting only in morality, history, poetry, and mathematics.b F. NORRIS The trite moralities and ready-made aphorisms of the philanthropists.c E. A. FREEMAN The morality of the Gospel had a direct influence upon the politics of the age.C. ACHEBE He has no sense of political morality.J. GLOVER In our society..morality derived from religious commands and prohibitions is declining, but still powerful.6 J. S. MILL The morality of an action depends on its foreseeable consequences.J. M. MCPHERSON Opponents also questioned the expediency, morality, even the theology of the legal tender bill.7 M. STOTT Concern for one�s fellows seems to me the essence of morality.Comb.: morality play = sense 4b above; morality squad Canad. a police unit dealing with infractions of legislation concerning prostitution, pornography, etc.
ethical /"ETIk(<schwa>)l/ a. & n.E17. [f. prec. + -AL1.]A adj. 1 Of or pertaining to morality or the science of ethics; pertaining to morals. E17. 2 Dealing with the science of ethics or questions connected with it. M17.3 In accordance with the principles of ethics; morally correct, honourable; conforming to the ethics of a profession etc. L19.4 Of a medicine or drug: not advertised to the general public, and usu. available only on a doctor�s prescription. M20.5 Finance. Designating investment in enterprises whose activities do not offend against the investor�s moral principles. L20.1 J. MACKINTOSH The ethical principles of Hobbes, are completely interwoven with his political system.D. HALBERSTAM A woman with a strong ethical sense.ethical RELATIVISM.2 J. RUSKIN Ethical and imaginative literature.3 C. BEATON Many buyers..are eminently ethical and have a respect for the couturier�s work.C. POTOK How ethical it was..to give Danny books to read behind his father�s back.B n. An ethical medicine or drug. M20.ethicalism n. devotion to ethical ideals L19.ethi'cality n. ethical principles or behaviour; an ethical principle: L19.ethically adv. M17.ethicalness n. L17.