Friday, February 14, 2020

Kant and Mill

Announcement: no class on Friday Feb 21.  There's an optional RR.


Scenarios

1. Walking in cricket--ethical or stupid?

2. Trouncing and boasting--problematic or just fine?


Ancient ethics (Plato, Aristotle)
  • An athlete or sports organization inspired by ancient ethics will regard virtue as having paramount importance
  • But what are the virtues...for us, today?

Utilitarianism--John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

  • To figure out what is right and wrong, must consider consequences of action or policy
  • The right action is the one that maximizes total good for all affected (i.e. the balance of happiness over misery)
  • The right policy is the one that maximizes total good for all affected
  • What would a Utilitarian cricket player do in scenario 1?
  • What would a Utilitarian soccer player do in scenario 2? To trounce or not to trounce, to boast or not to boast?


Immanuel Kant (1724-1824)
  • Ethics is not virtue-base and not consequence based
  • It's based on one "super-rule," the Categorical Imperative"
  • Categorical means "It applies no matter what, in every circumstances, whatever your goals are"
The Categorical Imperative (two formulations)
Formulation #1. Your code of conduct must always be such that you would and could want everyone to adopt the same code of conduct. 
    • What is my code of conduct now?
    • Would/could I want everyone to adopt the same code of conduct? 
Formulation #2. Never treat a person only as a means, but always as an end
    • Don't "use" people and don't let others "use" you.
    • Treat people with respect, as autonomous beings with basic dignity.
From the super-rule to other rules
  1. Never lie
  2. Never steal
  3. Never break your promises
The Kantian athlete
    • The Kantian cricket player
    • The Kantian soccer player
    • Could you be a Kantian professional wrestler or boxer?  

7. Combat sports--especially problematic?

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