Exploring Moral Skepticism and Applied Ethics

Socrates' view on justice

Socrates argues that justice is desirable both for itself (intrinsic value) and its consequences (instrumental value). It creates harmony in the soul and leads to a virtuous, fulfilling life while also fostering societal stability.

Ring of Gyges

The story demonstrates that most people are moral out of fear of punishment, not because morality is inherently valuable. If they could act unjustly without consequences, they would.

Mackie's view on objective values

Mackie rejects the existence of objective moral values, arguing they are a human construct rather than an inherent part of reality.

Mackie's argument from queerness

Mackie argues that objective moral values would be metaphysically strange ('queer') and unlike anything else in the universe. He concludes that it's unlikely they exist.

Ayer's view on ethical statements

Ayer believes ethical statements express emotions and are not factual claims. They are neither true nor false because they do not describe reality.

Moral saint

A moral saint is someone whose every action is guided by the pursuit of moral perfection, often at the cost of personal interests or happiness.

Wolf's view on moral saints

Wolf argues that moral saints lack personal interests and individuality, making them less well-rounded and less enjoyable to be around.

Trolley problem

A thought experiment where a person must choose between pulling a lever to divert a trolley onto a track where it will kill one person instead of five or taking no action.

Smith and Jones example

Rachels uses Smith and Jones to argue that there is no moral distinction between killing and letting die, as both are equally blameworthy.

Passive vs active euthanasia

Passive euthanasia can lead to prolonged suffering, whereas active euthanasia ends suffering quickly and mercifully.

Foot's view on killing vs letting die

Foot argues that killing actively infringes on a person's right to life, whereas letting die does not involve the same direct violation.

Thomson's view on the right to life

Thomson argues that the right to life does not include the right to use another person's body to sustain one's life without consent.

Thomson's violinist analogy

It compares pregnancy to being forcibly connected to a famous violinist who depends on your body to survive, arguing that you have the right to disconnect even if it means the violinist will die.

Marquis on killing

Killing is wrong because it deprives individuals of their future potential experiences and joys.

Marquis on permissible abortion

Marquis suggests abortion may be permissible in cases where the fetus lacks a valuable future (e.g., severe deformities or terminal conditions).

Mill's harm principle

Mill's harm principle states that individuals should be free to act however they wish unless their actions cause harm to others.

Mill on silencing false beliefs

Silencing false beliefs prevents society from fully understanding the truth, as truths are often clarified and strengthened through opposition.

Unterreiner on anti-vax speech

Unterreiner argues that anti-vax speech poses significant public health risks, justifying restrictions in certain cases to prevent harm.

Wheeler on gun ownership

Wheeler argues that gun ownership is justified for self-defense and as a safeguard against tyranny.

DeGrazia on gun ownership

DeGrazia believes that widespread gun ownership increases the risk of accidents and violence, outweighing its benefits.

Norcross on factory farming

Norcross compares factory farming to a scenario where humans torture puppies for minor benefits, highlighting the moral inconsistency of supporting such practices.

Frey on humans and animals

Frey argues that humans possess higher cognitive capacities, which justify prioritizing human interests over animals.

Marx on profit creation

Marx believes profit arises from the exploitation of labor, as workers are paid less than the value they produce.

Marx on alienation of labor

Alienation occurs when workers are disconnected from the products they create, the process of work, their own potential, and each other.

Nozick's Wilt Chamberlain example

The example illustrates how voluntary exchanges can lead to economic inequalities, challenging redistributionist theories of justice.

Singer's argument on charity

Singer argues that if we can prevent suffering without significant personal cost, we are morally obligated to do so.

Singer's suggested charity amount

Singer suggests giving enough to substantially improve others' lives, though he acknowledges practical limits.

Arthur on Singer's view

Arthur argues that Singer's approach ignores human nature and psychological barriers, making it unlikely people will give so much.

Appiah on future condemnation

Appiah suggests looking at practices involving harm, complicity, and inertia that contradict our moral values.

Appiah's predicted future issues

Appiah predicts future condemnation for environmental degradation, factory farming, and systemic inequality.