Questions tagged [practical-ethics]
The practical-ethics tag has no usage guidance.
87
questions
2
votes
2
answers
109
views
Ethics of the unborn/non-sentient - Conflicting ideas
I hold two positions that I find to be conflicting with each other, and I wanted to see where I am going wrong.
The first position is that moral weight is predicated on sentience, something lacking ...
- 109
3
votes
2
answers
51
views
What is the relation between a right/wrong action and a "reasonable"/"unreasonable" one?
What is the relation between a right/wrong action and a "reasonable"/"unreasonable" one? The natural law sep article equates the two, or seems to, perhaps even so far as saying ...
- 820
0
votes
0
answers
22
views
What are the key challenges or limitations of Nicomachean Ethics when applied to the complexities and values of modern life?
Among the obvious ones I have come across are Aristotel's views on slavery and gender bias. I think Bernard Russel was unsatisfied with too much focus on rationality and overlooking emotions.
- 119
1
vote
1
answer
38
views
Using the Universal Quantifier, Existential Quantifier, and logical connectives, write a description of a time when somthing bad for you was not bad
The following is an exercise in ethics, logic, the use of the universal quantifier and the the use of the existential quantifier.
In the following context, the syntax for the universal quantifier is ...
1
vote
0
answers
30
views
Is there a need for a new field of natural-practical philosophy?
Natural philosophy is now generally known as physics. Some ancient universities still call it natural philosophy. But all of science could be included under the term, natural philosophy. There is also ...
- 2,357
1
vote
2
answers
171
views
How this principle related to Golden Rule and Eye for an Eye is called?
Had long admiration to this example:
When criminals were sent to isolated island centuries ago they suddenly realized that it's not fun anymore when everyone is criminal. And switched to one of most ...
- 111
2
votes
1
answer
83
views
Using 'love' to make sense of knowledge
I love my spouse, but I suspect (I think I believe the are) they are cheating on me, and I've even heard my friends gossip about my spouse's affairs etc.. But I love my spouse, so do not think I know -...
user66697
2
votes
1
answer
61
views
What stance values non-coercion over preventing harm?
I hold a particular stance, which may or may not be consistent. I would like to know if this stance has a name.
I believe religion is not just wrong but harmful.
I support freedom of religion.
I do ...
user63845
10
votes
15
answers
8k
views
Why should an atheist care about what happens to the world after his/her death?
Consider someone who doesn't believe in any kind of reincarnation or perfect punishment after death, an atheist. That is, nothing in the world can impact him/her after his/her death, because, as he/...
2
votes
3
answers
136
views
Mixing of people and peace [closed]
I would like to know people's opinions on the following philosophical question.
Is It necessary for people belonging to different populations to mix in order to ensure peace among them?
What is ...
0
votes
1
answer
45
views
Consequences of thinking nobody is like one's self [closed]
I was wondering if anyone has pondered what the consequences might be of thinking that nobody is like one's self?
Thanks.
6
votes
10
answers
6k
views
Is it wrong to fly on holiday?
I have the impression that more and more colleagues disapprove of me flying for holidays. That made me ponder, but I'm not convinced that I'm making a moral mistake. I argue that my actions cannot be ...
user14511
4
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Evaluating between seemingly logical, yet contradicting, arguments
I sometimes find myself in a situation where I am trying to evaluate a statement to which there seem to be logically valid, but yet contradicting, arguments on both sides. The statements may be an ...
2
votes
4
answers
829
views
What resemblance is there between Moksha and Nirvana?
Both Moksha and Nirvana are said to free oneself from the cycle of reincarnations/samsara. Other than this soteriological goal, do they have any resemblances?
And how does/can one know in which path (...
- 103
4
votes
2
answers
108
views
Morality of perpetuating a "bad" system by doing something "good" within it
I could live and marginally improve other people's lives in a country with an authoritarian, oppressive regime. While doing so, I will pay taxes and will generally increase the chances that this ...
- 141
1
vote
0
answers
54
views
How Biases and Prejudices Deviate the Philosophy of Peace in round table meeting of world politics
Why do politically strengthened nations deviate from the ideal of peace building and misuse power through bias, prejudice, and subjugation of others towards "peace," but not actual, absolute ...
- 11
0
votes
2
answers
122
views
Is there an universal argument for sharing valuable knowledge/skills?
There are many great Questions and Answers on Workplace stackexchange that deal with the question of whether or not to share valuable knowledge/skills with others:
What is wrong with sharing ...
- 101
1
vote
0
answers
44
views
Why should inclusivity and tolerance be constraint for a theory of decisional capacity?
The article Decision-Making Capacity (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) says that any successful theory of decisional capacity must turn out that most ordinary adults count as having capacity most ...
- 745
0
votes
0
answers
121
views
What is a logical counterpoint to ends justifying the means?
Many times I see a lot of high-risk, high-reward approaches in people who assume what they are doing is ethical, that it is worthwhile to neglect many, what appear to be smaller or less relevant ...
1
vote
0
answers
251
views
What kind of sexual act is moral?
As far as I know if someone doesn't believe in a divine entity that is the source of morality he/she considers morality to be subjective. He/she believes morality exists to minimize the pain and ...
- 119
1
vote
2
answers
823
views
What is the meaning of statement, all human beings are equal?
I learn this statement, 'all human beings are equal' in school, and I feel I understand it somehow. But when I look at society, the statement is not quite true.
For example, people are paid ...
- 111
3
votes
5
answers
249
views
Do I have to do something rather than nothing?
Disclaimer: I'm a newbie in Philosophy, and this question is most probably answered somewhere (on this site or not), but I've been looking for a while now and it's a little difficult to steer myself ...
user40475
0
votes
2
answers
79
views
Is it ethical to offer money for a contractor (such as a realtor) to reach an agreement in the your favor?
Say that a realtor suggests that you need a certain subjective requirement to be approved, but that the owner is somewhat flexible. Now, this is not a legal requirement, which would be illegal to ...
user44366
1
vote
1
answer
148
views
Love triangle: ethical state
An ethical problem:
Daniel is in love with Rose, who is in a long-term romantic relationship with David. Rose enjoys Daniel's love. Daniel asks Rose that David should know that they text each other, ...
- 463
5
votes
1
answer
7k
views
Why did Kant condemn masturbation?
That such an unnatural use (and so misuse) of one's sexual attributes
is a violation of one's duty to himself and is certainly in the
highest degree opposed to morality strikes everyone upon his ...
user22051
0
votes
1
answer
97
views
Which branch of philosophy would address the question "How to be effective at a typical day job"? [closed]
I'm not sure how to phrase this question. It stems from a complaint that I can't seem to find a truly "practical philosophy" (even "Pragmatism").
I know a lot of philosophy starts with ABSOLUTELY ...
1
vote
3
answers
838
views
When is it okay to criticize someone?
Both in my family life and in politics, I see people running into the following dilemma.
Some entity (a person, or an organization, or a country) is doing something that someone sees as wrong. So, ...
- 423
1
vote
1
answer
304
views
Can an entire society be unethical?
Every month or so, I encounter an argument of the following basic form:
A representative of Florin claims that the Guilderians are unethical for having the death penalty.
A representative of Guilder ...
- 229
3
votes
1
answer
541
views
What is the essence of stoicism?
I am a materialist, and I heard that stoic philosophers can be described (to some extent) as materialists. I am a big fan of stoic logic and ethical philosophy (and attitude towards death, emotions, ...
- 2,409
3
votes
2
answers
282
views
Does history provide support for moral objectivism?
I must say this was thoroughly entertaining:
The Lizard People Of Alpha Draconis 1 Decided To Build An Ansible -
Scott Alexander
https://www.lesswrong.com/s/zfXAcwLnGocsCsriG/p/...
- 2,447
2
votes
2
answers
137
views
What does "service" mean in Bubeck's feminist ethics of care
Bubeck thus distinguishes care from “service”, by stipulating that
“care” involves meeting the needs for others who cannot meet their
needs themselves, whereas “service” involves meeting the needs ...
user35983
5
votes
2
answers
870
views
Does antinatalism carry the seeds of its own destruction?
Antinatalists claim that it is immoral to procreate. For instance:
David Benatar argues there is an asymmetry between pleasure and pain,
which means it would be better for humans not to have ...
- 2,447
1
vote
3
answers
3k
views
How do we define a bad person?
Considering the following facts;
Some fundamental vices of human nature like greed, ignorance, lust, or the seven sins are inherent in a human which are there for not his/her choice.
We don't know ...
user30437
2
votes
0
answers
37
views
Would the opacity of everyday motivations seriously undermine Kantian CI?
Would the opacity of everyday motivations seriously undermine Kantian categorical imperative (CI)?
I tend not to use the CI when deciding what is moral, and partly because I'm not sure I know what my ...
- 21
1
vote
2
answers
136
views
Are any ethicists totally unconcerned with the other side of the story?
Are any ethicists totally unconcerned with the other side of the story?
So allow me to write up an example.
David is fat, I mean morbidly obese. And David keeps stealing all Mary's food then ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
172
views
An intriguing definition of Morality
The definition of morality is a topic that is heavily debated in philosophy. In this post, I will provide a possible definition of morality and will try to argue why the definition is generalized and ...
- 267
5
votes
3
answers
835
views
Compelling example of difference between intended consequences and foreseen but unintended consequences?
I am trying to get inside the head of individuals who believe that there is a difference between acting in such a way that someone's death foreseeably results from your actions, but that this was not ...
- 415
5
votes
6
answers
3k
views
Is it moral to obey the law?
To be clear, I am not asking if laws are moral, or even a good approximation for a moral system. We understand that there can be moral laws and immoral laws. For example, the law prohibiting murder is ...
- 702
0
votes
1
answer
90
views
Can one pursue humanistic goals while being a successful entrepreneur? [closed]
I have read books from Erich Fromm and others and I gathered understanding of what a human being is capable of (in a good way). In relation to work, it's being creative, in the true sense of the word. ...
- 103
2
votes
1
answer
159
views
Who else has explored the ‘cad problem’?
Is there anything in philosophy (presumably ethics) that specifically explores what I’ve called the “cad problem”.
Simply put, how should an individual (or a distinct group) that focuses on self ...
- 129
-1
votes
1
answer
56
views
Practical ethics: Uploading a soft-paywalled paper? [closed]
Practical question Entirely hypothetical question of ethics here. Wanting to know what the great ethicists would say.
There's a paper concerning a particular topic of math I'm interested in. The ...
- 2,957
1
vote
2
answers
686
views
Moral judgments: practicality and objectivity. Two incompatible features?
I'm reading Sabina Lovibond's book "Ethical Formation". She writes that moral judgments seem to possess two features: Practicality and Objectivity. Some philosophers think that these two features are ...
- 441
1
vote
4
answers
472
views
Truth and Half Truth-Do both exist?
A student appears for an examination and while solving a problem, he begins with the correct assumptions but loses track of the problem in the middle and ends up with a wrong answer. He is given 50% ...
0
votes
2
answers
193
views
Showing the mirror...Giving a dressing down...Is it really required in life?
Do we really need to show the mirror to those who have done wrong and give them a dressing down for their actions? My question is limited to our professional behaviour.
Where do we stop-ignore it or ...
1
vote
1
answer
77
views
In bioethics, are the harms that arise secondary to the failure to treat a violation of the Principle of Non-Maleficence?
I am trying to understand the principles relevant to a particular bioethics scenario. For simplicity, I will describe it as follows:
A doctor refuses to treat a patient suffering from an illness ...
- 140
1
vote
2
answers
104
views
Should you ethically have rights on ideas you give away for free?
Imagine the case that you do an unpaid internship for a company and in one of your meetings you give them an idea for a future working direction. Later you leave company and continue you professional ...
- 155
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is it unethical, according to Kant, to break copyright and pirate books online?
I live in Bangladesh. In my country, I don't get authentic, high quality foreign books about science, philosophy, psychology etc. Even if some bookstores sell those books, the price due to import tax ...
- 276
2
votes
0
answers
107
views
I trust people, why should it change?
I trust people.
For the small things in life, it helps me, definitely, but when it comes to larger things it is an issue.
For instance I recently started to search if I could buy a house. I am not ...
- 121
1
vote
1
answer
356
views
Is it ethical to confess?
Suppose I have been cheating on my spouse, and I realized that it was wrong from an utilitarian PoV, considering that there is large possibility of the total good being reduced if I'm exposed. So, I ...
- 348
1
vote
3
answers
424
views
Is it ethical to save tigers?
From a utilitarian point of view, is it ethical to save tigers by creating sanctuaries and criminalizing poaching, when such tigers are known to violently attack humans?
Also, one strain of response ...
- 348