How Ethics Can Help You Make Better Decisions | Michael Schur TED Notes

Personal Context and Motivation

  • The speaker is a television comedy writer with almost 25 years in the industry.

  • Focus of work has shifted over the last decade to the study of ethics.

  • Opens with a humorous cautionary tale about Hollywood, bright lights, fast cars, and suddenly reading 18th-century German philosophy.

  • Self-characterization as an intense rule follower:

    • In kindergarten, when told to line up, he would line up immediately and then wonder what others were doing.

    • He rinsed his mouth with mouthwash for at least 30 seconds every night because the label says "Use for 30 seconds." (humor about meticulousness)

  • The central incident that sparked interest in ethics occurred in 2005, involving his wife JJ and a car accident claim and Hurricane Katrina.

The Turning Incident (2005 Katrina Case)

  • Setup: JJ was in slow-moving traffic and bumped the car in front; police noted no damage; they exchanged numbers; life moved on. A couple of days later, a notice demanded 836becausethefenderallegedlyneededreplacement.</p></li><li><p>Context:Katrinareliefwasunderway;thecouplehadrecentlyfalleninlovewithNewOrleans,nowunderwater,whichamplifiedtheemotionalstakes.</p></li><li><p>Themisstepandinitialrationalization:</p><ul><li><p>Helookedcloselyattheothercarandfoundatinycrease;hedecidedtheotherdrivershouldn’tcareaboutthedamage.</p></li><li><p>Hearguedthatsmalldingsarecommonandthatinsurancecostsweredrivenupbyincidentslikethis.</p></li><li><p>Heofferedtodonate836 because the fender allegedly needed replacement.</p></li><li><p>Context: Katrina relief was underway; the couple had recently fallen in love with New Orleans, now underwater, which amplified the emotional stakes.</p></li><li><p>The misstep and initial rationalization:</p><ul><li><p>He looked closely at the other car and found a tiny crease; he decided the other driver shouldn’t care about the damage.</p></li><li><p>He argued that small dings are common and that insurance costs were driven up by incidents like this.</p></li><li><p>He offered to donate836 to the Red Cross Katrina relief fund if the other driver would not file the claim and would fix the car.

  • Escalation and social dynamics:

    • He publicly bragged to friends about the plan, and friends pledged more money if the claim was not filed.

    • The pledges grew to 2000,then2000, then5000, and eventually to hundreds of people contributing more than 25000inabout1–2days.</p></li><li><p>Theotherdriverwasunawareofthecampaignandiskeptinthedarkduringthissurge.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Theblogandmediaattention:</p><ul><li><p>Hestartedablogprovidinghourlyupdates.</p></li><li><p>HereceivedmediainquiriesfromnewsprogramsandNPR.</p></li><li><p>HedreamedofrescuingNewOrleanswithacomputerandafloodofself−righteousanger.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Theturningethicalrealization:</p><ul><li><p>BothheandJJstartedfeelingsickaboutwhattheyweredoing,recognizingitwasmorallyproblematic,eveniftheycouldjustifytheoutcome.</p></li><li><p>Heconfrontedthequestion:"Isthiswrongsomehow?"andwhetherthesmallnegotiationwasworththefuryitgenerated.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Theturningpoint:</p><ul><li><p>Hecried,hidunderhisbed,startedreadingphilosophy,andbegancontactingphilosophyprofessorsfordiscussion.</p></li><li><p>Helearnedaboutvariousethicaltheoriesthatbravethinkersover 2500yearsdevelopedtohelpmakebetterdecisions.</p></li></ul></li></ul><h3id="c1fe7dcc−bae3−4ec4−b07d−4fabb899de05"data−toc−id="c1fe7dcc−bae3−4ec4−b07d−4fabb899de05"collapsed="false"seolevelmigrated="true">PhilosophicalTheoriesExplored</h3><ul><li><p>ImmanuelKantandthecategoricalimperative:</p><ul><li><p>Coreidea:beforeacting,designaruleormaximyoucouldwilltobeauniversallaw.</p></li><li><p>Practicalinterpretation:considerwhatwouldhappenifeveryonedidwhatyou’reabouttodo;aworldwherethatmaximisuniversalwouldbeundesirable.</p></li><li><p>Exampleused:amaximwhereinanynegotiation,onecanderailtheotherbyinvokinganunrelatedglobalcalamityandinstructingtheotherpersontocareaboutthatinsteadoftheirownconcern.</p></li><li><p>Consequence:suchaworldwouldbeterrible;notsomethingtowillintoexistence.</p></li><li><p>Kantalsoemphasizestreatingpeopleasendsinthemselves,notmerelyasameanstoanend.</p></li><li><p>Formalidea(asnotes):25000 in about 1–2 days.</p></li><li><p>The other driver was unaware of the campaign and is kept in the dark during this surge.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>The blog and media attention:</p><ul><li><p>He started a blog providing hourly updates.</p></li><li><p>He received media inquiries from news programs and NPR.</p></li><li><p>He dreamed of rescuing New Orleans with a computer and a flood of self-righteous anger.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>The turning ethical realization:</p><ul><li><p>Both he and JJ started feeling sick about what they were doing, recognizing it was morally problematic, even if they could justify the outcome.</p></li><li><p>He confronted the question: "Is this wrong somehow?" and whether the small negotiation was worth the fury it generated.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>The turning point:</p><ul><li><p>He cried, hid under his bed, started reading philosophy, and began contacting philosophy professors for discussion.</p></li><li><p>He learned about various ethical theories that brave thinkers over ~2500 years developed to help make better decisions.</p></li></ul></li></ul><h3 id="c1fe7dcc-bae3-4ec4-b07d-4fabb899de05" data-toc-id="c1fe7dcc-bae3-4ec4-b07d-4fabb899de05" collapsed="false" seolevelmigrated="true">Philosophical Theories Explored</h3><ul><li><p>Immanuel Kant and the categorical imperative:</p><ul><li><p>Core idea: before acting, design a rule or maxim you could will to be a universal law.</p></li><li><p>Practical interpretation: consider what would happen if everyone did what you’re about to do; a world where that maxim is universal would be undesirable.</p></li><li><p>Example used: a maxim where in any negotiation, one can derail the other by invoking an unrelated global calamity and instructing the other person to care about that instead of their own concern.</p></li><li><p>Consequence: such a world would be terrible; not something to will into existence.</p></li><li><p>Kant also emphasizes treating people as ends in themselves, not merely as a means to an end.</p></li><li><p>Formal idea (as notes): ext{Maxim } M ext{ is universalizable if } orall s, ext{ in similar contexts } s', M ext{ would hold}.</p></li><li><p>Kant’simperativeinpractice:</p></li><li><p>Kant’s imperative in practice: ext{Act so that humanity is always treated as an end, and never merely as a means.}</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Aristotleandvirtueethics:</p><ul><li><p>Focusesoncharactertraitsandthemeanbetweendeficiencyandexcessforeachtrait(thevirtueisthebalance).</p></li><li><p>Examplesoftraits:generosity,courage,friendliness,mildness.</p></li><li><p>Practicaltakeawayfromthestory:theauthorexhibitedexcessangerandadeficiencyoffriendliness;notatthevirtuousmean.</p></li><li><p>Virtueethicscanbeimprecisebutpointstowarddevelopingdispositionsthatalignwiththemeanratherthanextremereactions.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Utilitarianism(JeremyBenthamandJohnStuartMill):</p><ul><li><p>Emphasizesoutcomes:actionsarerightiftheyproducemorehappiness(pleasure)andlesspain(suffering).</p></li><li><p>Theauthoracknowledgesthat,intheKatrinaincident,theintentwasnobleandtheimmediatedonationamountseemedtocreatehappinessformany.</p></li><li><p>Thecaveat:utilitariancalculationsmustaccountforallaffected—everypersoninsocietywholearnsoftheactionandmayfearitcouldhappentothem.</p></li><li><p>Theethicaltension:evenifalargesumisdonated,thebroadersocietalimpact(fear,lossoftrust,etc.)mayreduceoverallhappiness.</p></li><li><p>Expressionused:inutilitarianterms,onewouldweighthetotalhappinessgainedagainsttotalpaincaused,includingindirecteffectsonsocialtrustandfear.</p></li><li><p>Conceptualformula(notes):</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Aristotle and virtue ethics:</p><ul><li><p>Focuses on character traits and the mean between deficiency and excess for each trait (the virtue is the balance).</p></li><li><p>Examples of traits: generosity, courage, friendliness, mildness.</p></li><li><p>Practical takeaway from the story: the author exhibited excess anger and a deficiency of friendliness; not at the virtuous mean.</p></li><li><p>Virtue ethics can be imprecise but points toward developing dispositions that align with the mean rather than extreme reactions.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Utilitarianism (Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill):</p><ul><li><p>Emphasizes outcomes: actions are right if they produce more happiness (pleasure) and less pain (suffering).</p></li><li><p>The author acknowledges that, in the Katrina incident, the intent was noble and the immediate donation amount seemed to create happiness for many.</p></li><li><p>The caveat: utilitarian calculations must account for all affected—every person in society who learns of the action and may fear it could happen to them.</p></li><li><p>The ethical tension: even if a large sum is donated, the broader societal impact (fear, loss of trust, etc.) may reduce overall happiness.</p></li><li><p>Expression used: in utilitarian terms, one would weigh the total happiness gained against total pain caused, including indirect effects on social trust and fear.</p></li><li><p>Conceptual formula (notes):U = ext{sum}{i=1}^n ui, where each $u_i$ is the happiness or pain of person $i$ affected by the action.

    • Extended utilitarian consideration: ext{Net Utility } ig( ext{for public perception}ig) = ig( ext{benefits to recipients}ig) - ig( ext{costs to recipients} + ext{societal fear/awareness effects}ig).</p></li></ul></li></ul><h3id="2649dca7−e88d−4926−82cc−d77f32ff589a"data−toc−id="2649dca7−e88d−4926−82cc−d77f32ff589a"collapsed="false"seolevelmigrated="true">TheAftermathandEthicalReflections</h3><ul><li><p>Immediateconsequences:</p><ul><li><p>Theauthorapologizedprofuselyandcontactedtheotherdrivertoexplainthesituation.</p></li><li><p>Theotherdriverwasforgiving;hehadalreadybeeninformedthatadonationhadbeenmadeinhisnametotheRedCrossKatrinarelieffund.</p></li><li><p>Acheckwasissued;theauthordisclosedthistothepublicviatheblog;theoutcomeincludedmorethan</p></li></ul></li></ul><h3 id="2649dca7-e88d-4926-82cc-d77f32ff589a" data-toc-id="2649dca7-e88d-4926-82cc-d77f32ff589a" collapsed="false" seolevelmigrated="true">The Aftermath and Ethical Reflections</h3><ul><li><p>Immediate consequences:</p><ul><li><p>The author apologized profusely and contacted the other driver to explain the situation.</p></li><li><p>The other driver was forgiving; he had already been informed that a donation had been made in his name to the Red Cross Katrina relief fund.</p></li><li><p>A check was issued; the author disclosed this to the public via the blog; the outcome included more than25000donatedtohurricanerelief.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Publicframingofoutcomes:</p><ul><li><p>Thespeakercautionsnottoapplaudthehappyoutcomeasajustificationforabadact.</p></li><li><p>Themorallessonisnotthesuccessofthefundraisingbuttherecognitionoftheethicalmisstepandthelearningprocessfromit.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Thebroaderpointaboutmoraleducation:</p><ul><li><p>Thequestionremains:whystudymoralphilosophyaftersuchamistake?</p></li><li><p>Theansweroffered:ethicaltheoriesprovidetoolsforpreparingfordilemmas;evenwithpreparation,noguaranteeofperfectchoices,butbetteroddsofmakingsounddecisions.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>TheJeopardy/NBAanalogy:</p><ul><li><p>IfyouwerepreparingforJeopardy,youwouldstudytriviaandgeography;ifyouwerepreparingforahalf−courtshotfordonated to hurricane relief.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Public framing of outcomes:</p><ul><li><p>The speaker cautions not to applaud the happy outcome as a justification for a bad act.</p></li><li><p>The moral lesson is not the success of the fundraising but the recognition of the ethical misstep and the learning process from it.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>The broader point about moral education:</p><ul><li><p>The question remains: why study moral philosophy after such a mistake?</p></li><li><p>The answer offered: ethical theories provide tools for preparing for dilemmas; even with preparation, no guarantee of perfect choices, but better odds of making sound decisions.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>The Jeopardy/NBA analogy:</p><ul><li><p>If you were preparing for Jeopardy, you would study trivia and geography; if you were preparing for a half-court shot for50,000, you would practice at the YMCA.

    • In real life, you will face complex, messy moral dilemmas with no clear rule.

    • The takeaway: understanding ethical theories helps increase the chances of making good decisions when negotiating with other humans.

  • Final message:

    • Understanding ethical theories is essential to navigate human interactions and to improve the quality of decisions in a complicated world.

    • The speaker emphasizes that nothing is more important than understanding how we should act as moral agents.

    • Practical and Ethical Implications

    • The tension between outcomes and processes: is it acceptable to achieve a good outcome through questionable means?

    • The risk of social pressure and collective action shifting individual responsibility (blog, crowdsourcing morality, etc.).

    • The importance of accountability and apology when missteps occur, as well as transparency about outcomes.

    • The role of social influence and public discourse in shaping ethical reasoning and behavior.

    • Real-world relevance: ethics in public life, philanthropy, social media, and professional conduct in creative industries.

    Endnote

    • The talk frames ethics as a practical toolkit for real-life dilemmas, not merely abstract theory.

    • The final takeaway is a defense of ethical literacy as essential for functioning human to human negotiation and decision-making.

    Using Ethics for Better Decision-Making

    Mr. Schur is not a professional ethicist or philosopher. However, he came to become fascinated with reading the works of ethicists and philosophers to help him understand his actions and respond to events in his life. He describes some examples of applied ethics; his story also shows how understanding normative ethics (and the philosophy behind them) can help one be better informed and a stronger critical thinker when making ethical decisions. The whole process he goes through also can be understood as part of a conversation in metaethics, as in how and why humans develop morals and moral theories.