This video is part of the playlist: "In Defense of Utilitarianism". This playlist is meant to be a lighthearted introduction to the Utilitarian theory, with some bad humor, where we analyze some of the strongest counterarguments and counterexamples that have been made against it.
The novelty and complexity of the playlist will scale up with the video number.
The intent is educational, both for me- I can be corrected or critiqued by the audience- than for the audience - that may learn something new.
(I am going to remake some of my earlier videos since I feel like I have learned a bit more on how to communicate more effectively in this medium and now find some of my starting videos subpar).
(Also, there are going to be videos on the repugnant conclusion, abstract counterexamples, and the complexity of the utilitarian framework along with a lot of other stuff)
Abstract:
A counterexample to a mathematical theorem is constructed by finding an example that obeys the conditions of the theorem but for which the conclusion does not follow. Both the theorem and the counterexample are constructed in the same axiomatic framework.
Instead, a counterexample to a moral theory is usually constructed by finding a setting where a normative statement, implied by the moral theory, clashes with our moral intuitions. But moral intuitions can differ from person to person, and they are subject to biases.
We focus on this dissimilarity. In particular, are moral intuitions always the correct yardstick to evaluate the morality of an action?
There is evidence they can be unreliable in ordinary settings. So, when it comes to abstract counterexamples we should be cautious to depend on them alone.
Citations:
The interview with Peter Singer:
www.whatisitliketobeaphilosoph...
Influence of Wording and Framing Effects on Moral Intuitions,
Lewis Petrinovich, Patricia O'Neill, Ethology and Sociobioiogy 17:145-171 (1996)
22 фев 2021
