Value DebateValue Debate

Mr. LykeMr. Lyke

Speech & DebateSpeech & Debate

THE PLACE OF THE PLACE OF VALUEVALUE IN IN ACTIONACTION

APPLICATIONAPPLICATION

A proposition of value is a claim that A proposition of value is a claim that someone or something (someone or something (the matter the matter under considerationunder consideration) is good or bad, ) is good or bad, noble or evil, desirable undesirable, noble or evil, desirable undesirable, etc.(the etc.(the problematiproblematic) For instance, c) For instance, you might claim thatyou might claim that

•Laws requiring all restaurants to ban smoking are just/unjust.•Bill Clinton was a superlative/horrible president.•Sports programs are desirable/undesirable components of public high schools.•The Supreme Court decision authorizing the use of vouchers in private education was desirable/undesirable.•Affirmative action is a desirable/undesirable social policy.•Eliminating the Columbus Day holiday was sensible/ridiculous.

PROCEDUREPROCEDURE

Proving a "value proposition" entails Proving a "value proposition" entails two main tasks:two main tasks:

1.1. Criteria justificationCriteria justification. .

2.2. Apply the criteria to matter under Apply the criteria to matter under considerationconsideration. .

Criteria justificationCriteria justification. .

The truth of any value claim depends The truth of any value claim depends on the truth of a more general claimon the truth of a more general claim

i.e. "Laws requiring all restaurants to i.e. "Laws requiring all restaurants to ban smoking are just/unjust" ban smoking are just/unjust" dependent in the idea of justicedependent in the idea of justice The definition of “justice” and an The definition of “justice” and an

understanding of a "just law" in general is understanding of a "just law" in general is necessary to properly label anything as necessary to properly label anything as "just or unjust.""just or unjust."

Criteria justificationCriteria justification. .

Criteria justification cannot be a Criteria justification cannot be a matter of tastematter of taste

We gain a burden of proof for that We gain a burden of proof for that claim and are obliged to give the claim and are obliged to give the audience good reasons for accepting audience good reasons for accepting itit

Criteria justificationCriteria justification. .

i.e. one might argue that the genius i.e. one might argue that the genius of the American system is its of the American system is its inherent distrust of government inherent distrust of government

Justice wants to minimize Justice wants to minimize government presence……government presence……

we would reject any efforts to protect we would reject any efforts to protect people from their own imprudence…people from their own imprudence…

"just laws" in America are necessarily "just laws" in America are necessarily laws which respect that philosophy of laws which respect that philosophy of governmentgovernment

Apply the criteria to Apply the criteria to matter under matter under

considerationconsideration. . Shows how the matter under Shows how the matter under

consideration fits the criteria consideration fits the criteria justification givenjustification given

Apply the criteria to Apply the criteria to matter under matter under

considerationconsideration. . Laws requiring all restaurants to ban Laws requiring all restaurants to ban

smokingsmoking no one is required to patronize any restaurantno one is required to patronize any restaurant Free market economy - the restaurant owner Free market economy - the restaurant owner

makes whatever decision will maximize the makes whatever decision will maximize the business goalsbusiness goals

The current law arrogates to the government The current law arrogates to the government the right to make some of those decisions the right to make some of those decisions and thus and thus maximizes government maximizes government presencepresence

PHILOSOPHYPHILOSOPHYThe The

CRITIQUECRITIQUEOFOF

PRESUPPOSITIONSPRESUPPOSITIONS

Schools of ethicsSchools of ethics

Deontology – Measures the rightness Deontology – Measures the rightness or wrongness of an action or wrongness of an action

Teleology – Measures the result of an Teleology – Measures the result of an action, not the action itselfaction, not the action itself

UtilitarianismUtilitarianism

Teleological: goal seeking Appeals to "generalized

benevolence“ Maxim: Act so as to maximize utility

(happiness) for all human beings (all sentient creatures)

Criticisms:Criticisms: Contradictory in being NormativeContradictory in being Normative Excessively conservativeExcessively conservative VagueVague

““utility” utility” ““maximize”maximize”

NonoperableNonoperable can’t gain preferencescan’t gain preferences can’t promote social behaviorcan’t promote social behavior

justifies immoralityjustifies immorality

Egoism – Ayn RandEgoism – Ayn Rand

TeleologicalTeleological To act in the way that best serves To act in the way that best serves

‘you,’ the individual‘you,’ the individual CriticismsCriticisms

Allows for immoral actionAllows for immoral action Does not serve the common goodDoes not serve the common good Does not promote social behaviorDoes not promote social behavior

Categorical imperative – Categorical imperative – Immanuel KantImmanuel Kant

Act only on those principles that you would Act only on those principles that you would want towant to become a universal law.become a universal law.

Treat person (whether in yourself or others) Treat person (whether in yourself or others) always as an always as an endend and never as a and never as a means means only.only.

Treat all persons as members of the Treat all persons as members of the kingdom of ends.kingdom of ends.

Criticisms – bad results and actions can be Criticisms – bad results and actions can be justified as necessary through justicejustified as necessary through justice

The Golden Mean - AristotleThe Golden Mean - Aristotle

DeontologicalDeontological Based on natural lawBased on natural law Identify the extremes of action and Identify the extremes of action and

determine the ‘middle ground.’determine the ‘middle ground.’

Cultural Ethics / Situational Cultural Ethics / Situational EthicsEthics

Relativism is BADRelativism is BAD Very, very very bad!!!Very, very very bad!!! Moral Relativism – stating that there Moral Relativism – stating that there

is no such thing as right or wrong is no such thing as right or wrong and that actions + or – are based on and that actions + or – are based on the individualthe individual

I. All knowledge is theory--laden (embedded in other, more general knowledge) so that, in order to sensibly believe (x), it must be the case that we must also believe (y) in which case (y) is the theory of (x).

II. In the sense implied in I, "theory" could be defined as "the set of presuppositions informing a particular discourse, and could be illustrated by the following model:

First principles

Philosophy of science

(Metatheory)

Political systemsPolitical systems

The Veil of IgnoranceThe Veil of Ignorance Behind the veil of ignorance, a Behind the veil of ignorance, a

person does not know person does not know class position or social status, class position or social status, natural talents, abilities, natural talents, abilities,

intelligence or strength, and intelligence or strength, and what his/her plan for a good life is. what his/her plan for a good life is.

State of NatureState of Nature

Hypothetical state before societyHypothetical state before society All people essentially equal.All people essentially equal. ““solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and

short”short” Everyone has unlimited right to do Everyone has unlimited right to do

whatever he wisheswhatever he wishes

State of NatureState of Nature

• Society (family)Society (family)• All are bound to All are bound to

• preserve peace, preserve peace, • preserve mankind, preserve mankind, • refrain from hurting the otherrefrain from hurting the other

• Violation puts the violator in state of war Violation puts the violator in state of war with with others who have the right to others who have the right to punish him.punish him.

Law of natureLaw of nature

• Rests ultimately on God’s will.Rests ultimately on God’s will.• Discovered by reason (not innate) but “writ in Discovered by reason (not innate) but “writ in

the hearts of all mankind”the hearts of all mankind”• Binding on allBinding on all• Presupposes brotherhood of man and Presupposes brotherhood of man and

human benevolencehuman benevolence

The Original PositionThe Original Position

People imagine themselves without any People imagine themselves without any government and rationally discuss what government and rationally discuss what sort of government could be supported by sort of government could be supported by a social contract and achieve justice.a social contract and achieve justice.

Social ContractSocial Contract

People give up sovereignty to a People give up sovereignty to a government or other authority in order to government or other authority in order to receive or maintain social order through receive or maintain social order through the rule of lawthe rule of law

Many theories and writings on the Social Many theories and writings on the Social contractcontract

Hobbes (1651)Hobbes (1651) Locke (1689)Locke (1689) Rousseau (1762)Rousseau (1762) Rawls (1971)Rawls (1971)

Social contract

• Addresses inconveniences in state of nature Addresses inconveniences in state of nature (partiality—tendency to violate other’s (partiality—tendency to violate other’s rights)rights)

• Between equally free persons (tyrant is at war Between equally free persons (tyrant is at war with the others)with the others)

• Aims to protect lives, freedom, and property of Aims to protect lives, freedom, and property of all (law of nature)all (law of nature)

Social contract cont.

•In political society people assign legislative and executive powers of the law of nature to the public

•Power transference always subordinate to the “proper and true ends of the

commonwealth.”•People retain sovereignty—government is their

agent and executor.•People may appeal to heaven (revolt) against

tyrant.•Revolt dissolves government—it does not return to state of nature.

The Maximin RuleThe Maximin Rule

Under a condition of profound Under a condition of profound ignorance of consequences, the rational ignorance of consequences, the rational person will want to pick the option person will want to pick the option offering the offering the least badleast bad alternative. alternative.

In constructing a society, a rational In constructing a society, a rational person would pick the society that has person would pick the society that has its least fortunate individuals in the its least fortunate individuals in the least unfortunate situation. least unfortunate situation.

Two Basic Principles of Two Basic Principles of Justice (Rule of Law)Justice (Rule of Law)

1.1. Each person should get an equal Each person should get an equal guarantee to as many different liberties guarantee to as many different liberties as can be guaranteed to everyone else at as can be guaranteed to everyone else at the same time. the same time.

2.2. Inequalities in society are acceptable Inequalities in society are acceptable only if they are arranged so that the only if they are arranged so that the

1.1. inequalities actually help out the least inequalities actually help out the least fortunate persons in society or; fortunate persons in society or;

2.2. the inequalities are connected to positions or the inequalities are connected to positions or offices or jobs in society that everyone has an offices or jobs in society that everyone has an equal opportunity to attain. equal opportunity to attain.

HobbesHobbes

There is no “good” except prudence. There is no “good” except prudence. (nominalist)(nominalist) We seek our own advantage (are rational)We seek our own advantage (are rational) We fear deathWe fear death

Fear of death leads us to seek peaceFear of death leads us to seek peace We accept the “laws of nature” which are only We accept the “laws of nature” which are only

theorems which any rational man would theorems which any rational man would accept. accept.

““Men perform their covenants made.” – keep Men perform their covenants made.” – keep promisespromises

LockeLocke

• No innate ideas. (including principles)No innate ideas. (including principles)• Ideas arise fromIdeas arise from

• ExperienceExperience• reflectionreflection

• Ideas could be eternal but must be Ideas could be eternal but must be discovered by reasondiscovered by reason

RousseauRousseau

Each of us puts his person and all his Each of us puts his person and all his power in common under the supreme power in common under the supreme direction of the general will; and in a direction of the general will; and in a body we receive each member as an body we receive each member as an indivisible part of the whole.indivisible part of the whole.

The liberties Rawls The liberties Rawls supports:supports:

1.1. Liberty of conscience and freedom of Liberty of conscience and freedom of thought thought

2.2. Freedom of the person along with the Freedom of the person along with the right to hold (personal) property right to hold (personal) property

3.3. Freedom from arbitrary arrest and Freedom from arbitrary arrest and seizure seizure

4.4. Freedom of speech and assembly Freedom of speech and assembly 5.5. Political liberty (the right to vote and to Political liberty (the right to vote and to

be eligible for public office) be eligible for public office)

DemocracyDemocracy

Shared responsibility for the running Shared responsibility for the running and operation of the stateand operation of the state

True democracy does not existTrue democracy does not exist

SocialismSocialism

Social and economic system in which Social and economic system in which the means of production are owned the means of production are owned and controlled by the stateand controlled by the state

Social inequality resultsSocial inequality results

CommunismCommunism

Social and economic system where Social and economic system where the means of production and the the means of production and the ultimate control over the individual’s ultimate control over the individual’s role in society is determined by the role in society is determined by the statestate

Class struggles and disparity run Class struggles and disparity run rampantrampant

Free will is subjugated to the stateFree will is subjugated to the state

Monarchy / DictatorshipMonarchy / Dictatorship

The state is run by a single personThe state is run by a single person Based upon the will of the monarch / Based upon the will of the monarch /

DictatorDictator

Commonwealth Commonwealth

Each individual transfers all rights to the Each individual transfers all rights to the sovereignsovereign

Brings about “Leviathan” “that mortal Brings about “Leviathan” “that mortal God to which we owe under the God to which we owe under the immortal God, our peace and defense.immortal God, our peace and defense.

Peace is maintained by the fear of deathPeace is maintained by the fear of death Perpetual, undivided and absolutePerpetual, undivided and absolute

ValuesValues

Maslow’s Heirarchy of needsMaslow’s Heirarchy of needs

Self Actualization

ValuesValues

Aesthetic-Aesthetic- The appreciation of The appreciation of beauty for beauty's sake. It is beauty for beauty's sake. It is intrinsically valuable. intrinsically valuable.

ValuesValues

Autonomy-Autonomy- The right to govern The right to govern oneself or nation without unwanted oneself or nation without unwanted outside interference. outside interference.

ValuesValues

Civil Liberties-Civil Liberties- The freedoms The freedoms spelled out in a bill of rights which spelled out in a bill of rights which guarantee the protection of persons, guarantee the protection of persons, opinions, ideas, and property from opinions, ideas, and property from arbitrary government interference. arbitrary government interference.

ValuesValues

Civil Rights-Civil Rights- Positive acts of Positive acts of government to protect individual government to protect individual persons from the arbitrary or persons from the arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by discriminatory treatment by government or individuals. government or individuals.

ValuesValues

Civilization:Civilization: A society that has A society that has reached a high measure of reached a high measure of developmentdevelopment

ValuesValues

Democracy-Democracy- The form of government The form of government that may be direct or representative.that may be direct or representative.

Representative Democracy-Representative Democracy- A democratic A democratic system of government in which individuals elect system of government in which individuals elect leaders to represent their interests. leaders to represent their interests.

Direct Democracy-Direct Democracy- A form of government in A form of government in which decisions are made directly by the people, which decisions are made directly by the people, not by representatives. not by representatives.

The democratic creed maintains four The democratic creed maintains four key elements: key elements:

ValuesValues

Individualism, which allows individuals to Individualism, which allows individuals to achieve the highest potential of government. achieve the highest potential of government.

Liberty, which allows individuals the greatest Liberty, which allows individuals the greatest amount of freedom consistent with order. amount of freedom consistent with order.

Equality, which declares all people as being Equality, which declares all people as being equal and have equal rights and equal and have equal rights and opportunities. opportunities.

Fraternity, which contends that individuals will Fraternity, which contends that individuals will not misuse their freedom but will cooperate in not misuse their freedom but will cooperate in creating a wholesome sovereignty. creating a wholesome sovereignty.

ValuesValues

Dignity-Dignity- The condition or feeling of The condition or feeling of self; the nobleness of a person; the self; the nobleness of a person; the condition of self-worth. condition of self-worth.

ValuesValues

Distributive Justice-Distributive Justice- The attempt to The attempt to establish a connection between the establish a connection between the properties or characteristics of persons properties or characteristics of persons and morally correct distribution of and morally correct distribution of benefits and burdens in society. The benefits and burdens in society. The function of distributive justice is to function of distributive justice is to justify principles of justice and serves justify principles of justice and serves as a rationale for social inequalities as a rationale for social inequalities

ValuesValues

Due Process-Due Process- The right enumerated The right enumerated in the fifth amendment of the U.S. in the fifth amendment of the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights. Constitution's Bill of Rights.

ValuesValues

Equality-Equality- The condition of being The condition of being treated the same as others in treated the same as others in society; the state of achieving society; the state of achieving balance. balance.

ValuesValues

Formal Justice-Formal Justice- The rule of law and The rule of law and the honoring of legitimate the honoring of legitimate expectations. It is the written expectations. It is the written expression of agreements or laws expression of agreements or laws based upon the original position and based upon the original position and the exercise of those pacts. the exercise of those pacts.

ValuesValues

FreedomFreedom: Traditional American : Traditional American value, can be interpreted to mean value, can be interpreted to mean almost anything almost anything

ValuesValues

Government-Government- Rule, control, Rule, control, administration of public affiars; administration of public affiars; system of polity in a state; the system of polity in a state; the political and administrative hierarchy political and administrative hierarchy of an organized state. of an organized state.

ValuesValues

Happiness-Happiness- a state or condition of a state or condition of contentment and satisfaction. contentment and satisfaction. Usually brought about by the Usually brought about by the exposure to pleasure and the exposure to pleasure and the avoidance of pain. avoidance of pain.

ValuesValues

Independence-Independence- acting free of acting free of interference; the ability of an interference; the ability of an individual or state to function without individual or state to function without another individual or state. Some another individual or state. Some believe this to be the paramount believe this to be the paramount position of the individual and the position of the individual and the state. state.

ValuesValues

Individual Rights-Individual Rights- The rights The rights entitled to an individual within entitled to an individual within society. In the U.S. individual rights society. In the U.S. individual rights are guaranteed to Americans are guaranteed to Americans through enumeration in the Bill of through enumeration in the Bill of Rights. Rights.

ValuesValues

Individualism-Individualism- The concept which The concept which places primary emphasis on the places primary emphasis on the worth, freedom, and well-being of the worth, freedom, and well-being of the individual person and not on the individual person and not on the group, call, society, or nation. group, call, society, or nation.

ValuesValues

Justice-Justice- What is deserved. What is deserved.

ValuesValues

Justice as Fairness-Justice as Fairness- Doctrine Doctrine proposed by John Rawls. Achieved only proposed by John Rawls. Achieved only when individuals are guided by rules when individuals are guided by rules created in the original position because created in the original position because it is only in this position of absolute it is only in this position of absolute neutrality that no individual has some neutrality that no individual has some advantage over the other individuals in advantage over the other individuals in the formation of a society. the formation of a society.

ValuesValues

Justice as Regularity-Justice as Regularity- The regular The regular and impartial fair administration of and impartial fair administration of law. law.

ValuesValues

Justice for Institutions-Justice for Institutions- A A hierarchy which establishes a hierarchy which establishes a conduct of behavior to be exhibited conduct of behavior to be exhibited by institutions in its dealing with by institutions in its dealing with members of society. members of society.

ValuesValues

Knowledge-Knowledge- The acquisition of The acquisition of information. information.

ValuesValues

Liberty-Liberty- The right of a person to be The right of a person to be free from abusive constraints of his free from abusive constraints of his or her political state;; the free or her political state;; the free development of individuality on a development of individuality on a personal and/or communal level. personal and/or communal level.

ValuesValues

Life-Life- The condition of being. Many The condition of being. Many claim that life is an instrumental claim that life is an instrumental value because it is a necessity which value because it is a necessity which is required before anything else can is required before anything else can be attained or enjoyed. be attained or enjoyed.

ValuesValues

Majority Rule-Majority Rule- A principle of A principle of democracy that holds the greater democracy that holds the greater number of individuals in a society number of individuals in a society should determine the leaders and should determine the leaders and policies of that society. policies of that society.

ValuesValues

Morality-Morality- The principles and The principles and standards set by society and people standards set by society and people for evaluating the rightness and for evaluating the rightness and wrongness of acts. wrongness of acts.

ValuesValues

National Security-National Security- The protection The protection of a nation's boundaries from of a nation's boundaries from invasion; the protection and well invasion; the protection and well being of a nation's citizenry (can also being of a nation's citizenry (can also be applied to global)be applied to global)

ValuesValues

Natural Rights-Natural Rights- Those rights Those rights endowed to persons by their creator. endowed to persons by their creator. Such rights are thought to be Such rights are thought to be unalienable by the government (e.g. unalienable by the government (e.g. life, liberty, property). The life, liberty, property). The government is thought to be created government is thought to be created by individuals to protect these by individuals to protect these natural rights. natural rights.

ValuesValues

Popular Sovereignty-Popular Sovereignty- A significant A significant natural rights concept which holds natural rights concept which holds that authority rests with the people. that authority rests with the people. Individuals maintain the right to Individuals maintain the right to create, alter, and abolish create, alter, and abolish governmental form when they feel it governmental form when they feel it is in their best interest. is in their best interest.

ValuesValues

PotentialPotential: value based not on what : value based not on what something something isis doing but by what it doing but by what it could do,could do, once modified once modified

ValuesValues

Privacy-Privacy- A right not explicitly stated A right not explicitly stated in the Constitution nor Bill of Rights, in the Constitution nor Bill of Rights, but has been claimed as penumbra but has been claimed as penumbra under the fifth and tenth under the fifth and tenth amendments. It is a person's right to amendments. It is a person's right to keep his activities to himself without keep his activities to himself without being subjected to public scrutiny. being subjected to public scrutiny.

ValuesValues

Quality of Life-Quality of Life- The conditions The conditions which contribute to making life more which contribute to making life more than a struggle for survival; elevating than a struggle for survival; elevating life beyond a needs-only existence. life beyond a needs-only existence.

ValuesValues

Retributive Justice-Retributive Justice- Often referred Often referred to as criminal justice. One of the two to as criminal justice. One of the two main theories regarding justice. It is main theories regarding justice. It is concerned with redressing concerned with redressing grievances and handing out grievances and handing out punishments to those who have punishments to those who have broken the laws of society broken the laws of society

ValuesValues

Sanctity of Life-Sanctity of Life- The belief that The belief that human life is sacred in and of itself. human life is sacred in and of itself. Under no condition should a life be Under no condition should a life be taken. taken.

ValuesValues

Social ContractSocial Contract: (there are 3 main : (there are 3 main ones of these and tons of others) ones of these and tons of others) Essentially, the agreement between Essentially, the agreement between a citizen and his government a citizen and his government

ValuesValues

Social Progress-Social Progress- The value which The value which holds that any practice or belief holds that any practice or belief which promotes progress is good. which promotes progress is good.

ValuesValues

Sovereignty-Sovereignty- The power of a state The power of a state to exercise power within its own to exercise power within its own borders without any interference borders without any interference from outside sources, i.e. foreign from outside sources, i.e. foreign governments. governments.

ValuesValues

Technology-Technology- Advancements in Advancements in research and development. research and development.

ValuesValues

The constitution-The constitution- The fundamental The fundamental laws which establish a government. laws which establish a government. It provides the description of the It provides the description of the authority and limitations of authority and limitations of government. government.

ValuesValues

Utility-Utility- is an product oriented is an product oriented philosophical theory which argues philosophical theory which argues that an act or rule is acceptable that an act or rule is acceptable based on the benefits an act or rule based on the benefits an act or rule gains for the majority of those gains for the majority of those involved in a situation.involved in a situation.

The moral worth of an action lies not in the

purpose to be attained by it, but in the maxim

according with which it is decided upon.

The endThe end