egoism and critique 8.5 forensic philosophy december 16, 2013
Post on 27-Dec-2015
219 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
Objectives: SWBAT
Identify egoism Identify egoistic theories and
philosophers Analyze applied egoism and criticism
Cultural Relativism: Critique
After reading the Ethics of Jim Crowe, what is the flaw of cultural relativism?
Cultural Relativism: Critique
It advocates the morality of conformity The Social reformer Dilemma
Consider Jim Crowe, the culture was an accepted culture by virtually the entire American south, at least a majority
Black Americans were a minority in society, so even if they did not accept the morals of the society they are still wrong.
Subjective Relativism
Morality varies from person to person To each his own
Different People have different values, goals, and ideas
If different people have different values, etc. then there is no objective basis for morality
If there is no objective basis for morality, then subjective relativism is true
Therefore, subjective relativism is true
Multiculturalism and Tolerance Consider a utilitarian approach
Respect will make people happy Intolerance will make lots of people
unhappy Therefore, respect is better than
intolerance
Egoism
The right thing for person P to do is whatever brings about the best consequences for P
What is meant by “best consequences”?
Think in terms of “happiness” and “unhappiness”
And act that increases my happiness is the better choice
Psychological Egoism
The theory that IN FACT people ALWAYS act in their own best interest, no one ever acts unselfishly
This is a science about how people DO behave
This is different from Ethical Egoism (EEg) We ask how people should behave
When you get into an argument…. Philosophical or otherwise, it is all about
making your position as unassailable as possible
Here are ways to structure your arguments and fallacies to avoid when making those arguments.
Employing the Principle of Charity When dealing with your opponent’s
argument, don’t get caught up in the exact wording.
The Principle of Charity Assume your opponent’s argument is
taking place in its ideal world Assume that it is logical, even if they do not
put it in a logical form
Fallacies for you to avoid
The Strawman Fallacy Oversimplifying or distorting the position, argument, or
belief someone has in a way that makes it easier to argue against
All proponents of abortion are in favor of cold blooded murder
If the right to bear arms is absolute, then I am going to buy a tank!
Begging the Question An argument that makes use of a premise that no one
who didn’t already accept the conclusion would believe. Circular logic God exists, because it says so it the Bible
Fallacies to avoid
Appealing to ignorance Concluding something is true simply because it
hasn’t been proven false, or vice-versa This is invalid reasoning, something can be true even if
no one has yet to actually prove it to be true. You can’t prove that God doesn’t exist, therefore he does!
Ad Hominem Fallacy Rejecting a position or argument not on its virtue,
logic, or merits but because of the person that is giving it A position can be true, and an argument sound no matter
how deplorable you may think the person is
Egoism: forumlation
An act-token X performed by P at T is morally right if and only if there is no other act that P could perform at T that would produce a greater balance of happiness vs. unhappiness for P over the remainder of P’s life
In case of a tie: the decision then does not matter, P gets the same out of it.
The philosophers
Thomas Hobbes The source of morality is the need
for humans to live together in a civilized society
Without law and morality we are in a “state of nature” In competition for food shelter,
resources Everyone is better off when we agree to abide
by certain principles of respect and cooperation
This is the reason to act morally
Adam Smith Everyone acts in their own
“enlightened self-interest” Everyone acting that way creates
the “invisible hand” of the market that creates the best results for everyone
I am in a better position than others to know: What will make me happy Take actions that will make me happy The best way to increase my total sum happiness
The philosophers
Criticizing Egoism
Looking at the friend vs Foe Dilemma As an egoist, what should you always pick? Why? Is this choice get the best possible outcome
for the community? This is a criticism of the Egoist theory as it
comes from Hobbes and Smith
Arguments for Ethical Egoism (Eeg) The community as a whole is best off when
each person works to bring about his or her own exclusive self-interest
If the community as a whole is better off because of this, then EEg is true
Therefore EEg is true
P2 assumes that whatever brings about the best outcome for the community as a whole is morally right This leads into another theory – Utilitarianism
Egoism Critique
This game is just one of many similar examples The prisoner’s dilemma The Tragedy of the Commons The Voter Paradox
The community is not always better off when everyone acts in their own self interest The community may all get something, but
it is not the optimal world
top related