Recent Responses
I am an Atheist, and a teacher of mine, got me to meditate on a paper-clip, his point being, that if you don't believe in an upper power, then unlike the paper-clip, which has a purpose, the human race is ultimately pointless. You live to die basically. What I want to know is, how would I combat such an argument? Thanks. Mark S.
Allen Stairs
November 18, 2007
(changed November 18, 2007)
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Your teacher seems to have some argument such as the following in mind:
1) Things have a purpose only if some being gives them that purpose.2) Therefore, humanity ("the human race") has a purpose only if someone gave it that purpose.3) Only an "upper power" could give humanity a purpose.4... Read more
Are all paradoxes false? That is, when philosophers talk about paradoxes, is it always assumed that there's actually a solution out there which will resolve the problem?
Alexander George
November 18, 2007
(changed November 18, 2007)
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In trying to understand why Quine or others would not countenance antinomies, or real paradoxes, perhaps it would help to add that the conception of paradox in play here is that of an argument, a collection of premises that entails a conclusion. The arguments that appear to be paradox... Read more
At my secondary school I often hear racist and homophobic remarks but no longer say anything when I hear them because I don't think that things I say will make any difference. Is it wrong for me to hear offensive remarks yet not say or do anything about them?
Oliver Leaman
November 17, 2007
(changed November 17, 2007)
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I think the issue here is what is likely to be effective. If you think that your colleagues would be impressed by your opinion then you should make those opinions public. If you think they would attack you then this should give you pause for thought. If you think that you should dissociat... Read more
There is a teacher in our school who often forgets if he gave us homework. The majority of the class takes advantage of this. I do not. Am I a fool for not wanting to use somebody's weakness against them? If we continue to do the same lesson over and over like we are doing now, we will not learn anything new, but I will get a little less homework on my plate every night. We read the same stories, never get homework due to his forgetfulness. Are the actions of the class IYO, immoral? Is it Immoral to use someone's weakness against his or herself for your own benefit?
Oliver Leaman
November 17, 2007
(changed November 17, 2007)
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Not necessarily, since using others' weakness is often a legitimate way of getting things we deserve. If someone in authority can be swayed to do what is right by playing on a weakness, there is no reason why we should not do so. The important issue here is whether the activity connected... Read more
From an ethical standpoint, to how much effort must I go to return an overpayment from my employer? I received an overpayment of $10,000 in a summer paycheck (the bonus should have been $10,000 paid over two months at $5,000 each; instead it was two months at $10,000 each). I promptly reported the overpayment to payroll, but several months later, they still haven't done anything about it. I was taxed on the overpayment as income. Is it ethically incumbent upon me to follow up until they take the money back, or is there a point at which it's reasonable for me to keep it?
Oliver Leaman
November 17, 2007
(changed November 17, 2007)
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We should all have such problems! You promptly took the appropriate steps to alert them of the error, and I suppose that is that. If I were you I would ensure that they got the message, by asking them to confirm its receipt, and then the ball is very much in their court. It is a bit like... Read more
Once capital punishment was right and fornication was wrong. Now the reverse seems generally true. Is there any way that philosophy can prepare us for future alterations in our values, perhaps by indicating where they are likely to arise?
Richard Heck
November 16, 2007
(changed November 16, 2007)
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It is not at all obvious that captial punishment used to be morally permissible. What is obvious is that most people, or some powerful people, or something along those lines thought it was morally permissible (that is, "right" or "OK"). It may well be that it was always morally impermissib... Read more
There is a strong enough moral argument for vegetarianism. However, it does seem that if applied globally, such a standard would cause a loss of livelihood (e.g for African nations that export tons of beef to Europe). In the dramatic event that a panel of EU ethicists decided to ban all non-vegetarian commodities (leather, meat, some forms of milk) on the grounds that these were borne from the undue suffering of animals, would the inevitable suffering of human beings that would result from such a move (through job losses, economic stagnation, etc. - assuming that in countries that thrive on the meat industry, e.g. Botswana, alternative livelihoods are virtually unsustainable, due to the poor agricultural space) provide a suitable argument for the continued non-vegetarianism of human beings on Earth, or is this a mere technicality?
Sally Haslanger
November 16, 2007
(changed November 16, 2007)
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These are really good questions and there are definitely many empirical issues that should be settled before we can adequately evaluate a proposal such as global vegetarianism, or a ban on animal products by the EU.
First, it is worth noting that not all vegetarians are utilitarians, or... Read more
Can an omnipotent being truly want? Larry 16, New Jersey.
Allen Stairs
November 16, 2007
(changed November 16, 2007)
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It's an interesting question. I'd just add this bit to what Nicholas had to say. Let's take the God of classical theism as our example. Assuming God exists, there are some things God might want, and yet can't simply bring about. God might want there to be creatures who freely love him (par... Read more
Why do we enjoy the beautiful? Or, what is the nature of aesthetic appreciation (it seems like a special type of enjoyment)?
Allen Stairs
November 16, 2007
(changed November 16, 2007)
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On the one hand, it seems safe to say that not all aesthetic appreciation is enjoyment. There are some works of art that are profoundly disturbing, and yet we still value them. An example: I remember vividly the first time I saw one of Ad Reinhardt's large black canvases. I was taken by su... Read more
Can an omnipotent being truly want? Larry 16, New Jersey.
Allen Stairs
November 16, 2007
(changed November 16, 2007)
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It's an interesting question. I'd just add this bit to what Nicholas had to say. Let's take the God of classical theism as our example. Assuming God exists, there are some things God might want, and yet can't simply bring about. God might want there to be creatures who freely love him (par... Read more