Recent Responses
Is it possible to prove the existence of ghosts? By prove I mean that the best explanation for such and such an occurrence would be that it was caused by a disembodied spirit. Am I right in thinking that this would be impossible in principle, and that there would always be a more rational explanation?
Peter Smith
February 26, 2009
(changed February 26, 2009)
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The idea of a "disembodied spirit" is hardly a clear one. And no doubt some ways of trying to fill out this idea lapse into sheer incoherence. Understood in such a way, there just can't be any such things as "disembodied spirits". And non-existent beings can't do any causing!
But let's supp... Read more
If Hitler in 1941 had the right to send vast numbers of German men to their deaths in Russia and to cause there the deaths of vast numbers of Russians, did he not also have the right to send to their deaths vast numbers of German Jews, whom he viewed as Germany's enemies?
Jasper Reid
February 26, 2009
(changed February 26, 2009)
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There are, of course, differences between the two cases. The Soviets did at least have some opportunity to defend themselves, for instance. On the other hand, vastly more of them died. So let's just put all such differences to one side, and suppose that the two cases are indeed equivalent.... Read more
I believe that speciesism is correct. However I am confused about how I should feel about campaigns to kill pests like possums, rats, stoats etc which destroy native and often endangered birds, animals and plants. I understand that speciesism doesn't say that you can never kill an animal, you merely have to give it equal consideration. In this sense killing the pest could be justified if doing so produced a better outcome. But then I arrive at the problem of humans, which (I assume) would in many situations be a greater threat to our native birds, animals and plants. I can't help but feel that the answer may lie in the fact that we can do something about humans which destroy the environment by convincing them we shouldn't, it's not as easy to reason with the average possum. However this seems inadequate given the fact that these people are very, very unlikely to ever be convinced. How can we justify killing pests in moral terms in light of speciesism?
Jean Kazez
February 23, 2009
(changed February 23, 2009)
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I have nothing to add to Douglas Burnham's response, but can't resist a terminological quibble. "Speciesism" is the term Peter Singer (following Richard Ryder) uses to mean a prejudice against animals. So if you think animals should receive equal consideration, as Singer does, you're going... Read more
I believe that speciesism is correct. However I am confused about how I should feel about campaigns to kill pests like possums, rats, stoats etc which destroy native and often endangered birds, animals and plants. I understand that speciesism doesn't say that you can never kill an animal, you merely have to give it equal consideration. In this sense killing the pest could be justified if doing so produced a better outcome. But then I arrive at the problem of humans, which (I assume) would in many situations be a greater threat to our native birds, animals and plants. I can't help but feel that the answer may lie in the fact that we can do something about humans which destroy the environment by convincing them we shouldn't, it's not as easy to reason with the average possum. However this seems inadequate given the fact that these people are very, very unlikely to ever be convinced. How can we justify killing pests in moral terms in light of speciesism?
Jean Kazez
February 23, 2009
(changed February 23, 2009)
Permalink
I have nothing to add to Douglas Burnham's response, but can't resist a terminological quibble. "Speciesism" is the term Peter Singer (following Richard Ryder) uses to mean a prejudice against animals. So if you think animals should receive equal consideration, as Singer does, you're going... Read more
I suffer from an inheritable condition which might shorten my life span if left untreated. My doctor has prescribed me a drug which, as it happens, might have adverse effects on my mental capacity; for instance, it might bring about amnesia and mild cognitive impairment. The minutiae of my particuar situation are not significant; what is interesting is the ethical question the general situation raises: Are we obligated to do what we can to stay alive for as long as possible, or may we—if the prior option necessitates potentially adverse effects on an aspect of life we hold dear—choose not to? And if the latter is true, does this translate to all other situations of this kind? As an example, consider the case of a smoker who refuses to give up smoking, regardless of the risk involved, because of the pleasure the act of smoking confers upon her. Her family and friends naturally wish for her to stay alive and remain healthy for as long as is possible—do their concern outweigh the pleasure she takes in the consumption of tobacco?
Douglas Burnham
February 23, 2009
(changed February 23, 2009)
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There are several fine questions here,it seems to me. I want to focus in to start with on just oneinteresting distinction that you make implicitly. One the one hand,there is the quality of life threatened by your disease; on the otherhand there is the pleasure afforded to the smoker. Th... Read more
If the universe is expanding, what is it expanding into ?
Alexander George
February 21, 2009
(changed February 21, 2009)
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See also Question 619.
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If the universe is expanding, what is it expanding into ?
Alexander George
February 21, 2009
(changed February 21, 2009)
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See also Question 619.
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I am wondering if it is ethical to own a gun? There is this attitude that keeps popping up when I raise this question, that a gun is an object just like any other and that the intent of the individual is what matters most. I can't help and think about situations where the user who owns the gun could be in a situation that gets out of his control or if an accidental discharge happens. I also wonder about the self fulfilling prophecy aspect and the law of attraction. Does owning a gun and thinking that it is a cool device contribute to the inevitability of having to use it. There is also the reality that many of the people who own guns end up using the gun to commit suicide. (I can't find the statistic but it is a staggering number.) Should Vegetarians abstain from owning guns?
Lisa Cassidy
February 20, 2009
(changed February 20, 2009)
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As you say, purchasing a gun with the intention of causing harm to someone else is definitely unethical. (Or make that a ‘definite maybe’ - do deer count as ‘someone else’? To the animal rights activist, yes and to the hunter, no.)There are many of people who enjoy gun collecting as a hobb... Read more
I have a question that is really intriguing me as I watch news analysis and read Op-Ed pieces over the past several years. So, here is my question: There is a tendency to make a sort or analytical or "expert" or general claim that "IF such-and-such a thing (could be an activity, an obligation, a process, or an institution, etc.) fails or does badly often enough (10%, 25%, 50% of the time, etc.), THEN the conclusion is that such-and-such a thing is not worthy, not sacred - or, e.g., is a failure as an activity, obligation, process, or institution - simply because it is done poorly or mishandled some, most, or all of the time." Yet, due to human flaws and human mis-handling or misapplication or simply due to bad behavior - it is not reasonable to assume that the original, standard (or "ideal") is "bad" just because it has come to be handled or done badly by humans. Is that a basic fallacy of reasoning? Is it not reasonable to claim that? Does the argument that this position is faulty or unreasonable depend upon someone embracing a philosophical or logical system that believes in "ideals"? Is that latter system subject to attack or unworthy itself? I appreciate any help I can get on this matter!
Miriam Solomon
February 20, 2009
(changed February 20, 2009)
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I've wondered about your question myself. It is common these days to say, for example, that communism does not work because "look what happened to the Soviet Union." Or that lack of regulation of financial markets does not work because "look what happened to our economy." But of cours... Read more
Do you consider it ethical, and hence decorous, to use cash when tipping restaurant servers with the express purpose of helping the server avoid paying income tax on the gratuity?
Oliver Leaman
February 20, 2009
(changed February 20, 2009)
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I don't know about the decorous issues involved here, but paying cash does not help the employee avoid income tax. He or she will be expected to report tips, at least in the United States, and I am sure elsewhere also. Putting that aside, and it is not that relevant since the question rel... Read more