Questions tagged [social-ethics]
The social-ethics tag has no usage guidance.
75
questions
2
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4answers
157 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, ...
1
vote
1answer
95 views
Is there any way to gain “truth”/accuracy in social truth? How?
Is there any way to gain "truth"/accuracy in social truth? How?
What seems to make it difficult is that I don't know if social truth has any generally accepted epistemologies, truth deduction ...
0
votes
1answer
113 views
Is having a “type” ethical?
Some people have a particular “type”, a person with particular physical aspects that they look for in a partner.
What ethical frameworks can be used to evaluate this phenomena? Do those frameworks ...
1
vote
1answer
34 views
Ernesto Laclau: 'Any repetition that is governed by a structural law of successions is space'
There is a debate going on about Ernesto Laclau's argument that
any repetition that is governed by a structural law of successions is space
But what does he actually mean by that?
0
votes
1answer
119 views
What will future generations condemn us for? [closed]
I can think of the following:
Human-created mass extinctions
Industrial meat production
Institutionalisation and isolation of the elderly
Environment destruction
What are other contemporary ...
1
vote
2answers
106 views
What is the basis of the belief that words themselves can be hurtful and verbal aggression should be weeded out?
I used to believe that verbal aggression on its own is a minor issue and that, while insults, contemptuous language, unwelcome sexual advances and the likes are far from praiseworthy, they are ...
-1
votes
3answers
180 views
It is oppressive for youths to have laws that prohibit something exclusive to them? [closed]
I don't belong to the group of youths, but one does not need to belong to the particular group in order to defend their interests, like in the case of animal rights movements. Also, I belonged to it, ...
0
votes
2answers
60 views
Confusion on social conventions
Biologically we humans are animals.
I've thought about this lately and really would like the insight of others.
If animals start breeding when they reach bodily maturity, then why is this seen badly ...
-1
votes
1answer
48 views
Deterrent effect of nuclear weapons in comparison with carrying Firearms?
Would it be feasible to to compare the deterrent effect of nuclear weapons between nuclear armed countries (if such exist),
with the deterrent effect of a majority of citizen carrying firearms, inside ...
13
votes
6answers
2k views
Can the act of having certain thoughts be unethical? [duplicate]
On the basis of Western morality, the Greco-Roman Judeo-Christian one, behaviors like killing, betraying, cursing are considered immoral. Christianity imposes that thoughts can be corrupt, therefore ...
1
vote
1answer
2k views
What are the facts and what is the truth? [duplicate]
As I ask this know;
I purely ask this from a social point of view. As in conversations with others.
It's a random thought and kinda funny when I started thinking about it.
What's a fact?
Something ...
2
votes
1answer
120 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
252 views
Is wisdom always appropriate? [closed]
I have a 990 KB text file I wrote of wisdom I learned from God. No one asks me to hear what God teaches me, but I share anyway because it will do good for them. Is this OK? Does wisdom always need to ...
4
votes
3answers
694 views
Is evolutionary “morality” really the same thing as human morality?
In a different question I asked, Chris Johns' answer pinpointed exactly why all of the answers didn't satisfy me, so I'd like to ask a follow-up question which will further focus my question - would ...
3
votes
5answers
292 views
Evolution - how (epistemologically) an instinctive moral is possible?
I've asked a question about how evolution would explain morality, which lead me to a more basic question - if an instinct would tell the group members to act altruistically, where would that instinct ...
13
votes
7answers
4k views
Is it possible that evolution brought human kind morality?
I've heard this (rather odd imho) statement that evolution, by the need of survival, dictated humans to uphold moral codes in order to survive, thus gaining a moral system.
Now, to my understanding, ...
2
votes
1answer
143 views
What are the main concrete conceptualisations of social/societal good and a good society? [closed]
My main objective is to see how a particular technology instantiates or doesn't instantiate particular ideas of "socially/societally good". I'm more of a technologist, so it would help if someone ...
2
votes
2answers
76 views
Does Sokal & Bricmont's book offer proof of the vacuity of Post-Modernism? Can any schools of Philosophy be proven to be pure Sophistry?
Is Sokal & Bricmont's lambasting of Post-Modern Intellectuals proof of the vacuity of Post-Modernism?
Does this offer us a hope at proving that some schools of Philosophy can be proven to be pure ...
1
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1answer
63 views
Can one appreciate all people without discrimination at all?
Can one appreciate all people without discrimination at all?
Or is conflict normal? How to deal with it?
1
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5answers
128 views
Can one person value two other persons equally?
If one thinks deeply enough about the subjective value they place on their connection to other individuals, would they discover clearly distinct rankings of value?
1
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1answer
62 views
Is there a name for the ethical and unethical response that arises from the juxtaposition of “wealth” and poverty?
I would like to get a better understanding of the juxtaposition of wealth and poverty. By wealth I mean the situation where one has resources as opposed to one that does not.
Consider the following ...
3
votes
3answers
242 views
Do Non Vegetarians not have rights to mourn morally if their beloved ones are killed?
Pleasures for us is pain & suffering for the animals which are slaughtered. When we are causing suffering & pain to others, we lose moral rights to expect not the same ever happened to us. In ...
5
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3answers
424 views
Can being Violent in speech be considered as violence?
I want to know whether being Violent with speech too can be considered as violence - partially or fully?
1
vote
2answers
179 views
Is the “Anomaly of Plato?” a reality? [closed]
The "Anomaly of Plato" is a name for the fact that Socrates promoted Truth as a transcendent idea but (according to Popper), Plato did not allow for the immanent changes that Truth causes. Truths ...
0
votes
1answer
150 views
Is it morally wrong to deny friendship with nice people? [closed]
If someone you got to know who always has been polite to you tells you honestly that he likes you, is it morally wrong to tell him that you don't want to spend time with him?
On one hand, one could ...
1
vote
0answers
90 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
74 views
Democratic ethics - sources for system of ethics determined by democratic principles
Ethics can be seen as a purely social construct, and so being determined by the powerful in the society (John Stuart Mill takes such a view in On Liberty). This view can also be further advanced to ...
9
votes
1answer
348 views
What are reasonable basic obligations of citizens in democratic societies?
Theorists (Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel) have often discussed the state's obligations to its citizens, but nowadays it seems we need a definitive-but-succinctly articulated account of citizens'...
1
vote
2answers
282 views
Who is selfish?
Am I selfish if I choose not, or do not want, to help others?
Example: A friend asked me write a piece of code, ignoring everything else. I did not want to do it. We were not competing and there was ...
1
vote
0answers
57 views
Value for money [closed]
Is there a point at which value for money as a concept becomes a folly? For example at what point does the press's clammer for cheaper energy bills means that investment in key infrastructure falls to ...
1
vote
0answers
50 views
Registering as the “Incorrect” Political Party [closed]
Is there any overriding reason (i.e., philosophical, ethical, etc.) that a US citizen should register only with the political party with which he or she most closely identifies?
Suppose the ...
5
votes
3answers
289 views
Ethics when breaking non written rule occurs
Breaking non written rules happens all the time. This happens mostly in our private lives and close social circles, which is main source of anger for common peoples. For example, mother gives a ...
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votes
2answers
149 views
Ethics of taboo in research
From a utilitarian point of view research is of benefit to the future population and so (if considering future generations) performing it would take precedent over some discomfort.
However some ...
4
votes
2answers
191 views
Can moral objectivism be reconciled with the fact that some unethical behaviors are “human nature”?
A constant argument I've been hearing recently is that people should be forgiven for engaging in unethical behavior if it is "natural" for them to do so. Examples:
It's natural for people to be ...
3
votes
5answers
4k views
What's Wrong with Social Darwinism? [closed]
It's a common criticism of Spencer's social Darwinism that it misunderstands the entire theory of evolution and the meaning of "fitness" such that it is commonly exploited to fulfill specific hateful ...
1
vote
1answer
165 views
What is the relationship between conceptual engineering and social change?
I am currently doing research on the relationship between projects in conceptual engineering and actual, realized, social change.
Of primary interest to me is how, for instance, Haslanger's ...
0
votes
1answer
167 views
Why should racial pride be considered socially unacceptable whereas pride in one's intellect is socially acceptable and encouraged? [closed]
Well, there is overwhelming scientific evidence that intelligence is nothing but genetic for all practical purposes. And we have a society that rewards it with the sky. But someone who takes pride in ...
1
vote
2answers
363 views
How would a Kantian handle vigilante justice?
Suppose that somebody took something expensive that belonged to you which you left on a bench and you saw them do it.
Within a Kantian or more broadly deontic framework, would it be acceptable to ...
14
votes
9answers
1k views
Should I vote for what is best for me or what is best for others?
I live and vote in a constituency where the policies of Party A are better for the long-term success of my business, which determines the material conditions of my well-being and that of my family. ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
What did Marx mean by “revolutionary terror”?
there is only one way in which the murderous death agonies of the old
society and the bloody birth throes of the new society can be
shortened, simplified and concentrated, and that way is ...
2
votes
1answer
88 views
Name of French Social Scientist and Theory where life has five domains
I read of a french social scientist who believed life could be separated into five spheres, in which so many "points" (so much time) could be spent into each. From what I vaguely remember, the ...
1
vote
1answer
99 views
Why do some people lie? [closed]
Some people lie about such insignificant stuff, like what they had for lunch, or say that they were sleeping when they were actually watching TV. Why do they do this? Has this ever been studied, and ...
1
vote
3answers
268 views
Does anti-discrimination contradict free will?
Does anti-discrimination imposed by laws, or as a universally held position and imposed by society, contradict the idea of free will?
Take for example:
In a business context, choosing to not ...
2
votes
4answers
848 views
Is there injustice in division of labour?
The division of labour is a "micro-level" as well as a societal phenomenon.
It means that different individuals are "coerced" into doing different parts of larger projects and that the labour is ...
6
votes
6answers
1k views
What is the philosophical value of cultural diversity?
A personal question:
As an Arab-American, I try to maintain my children's ties to Arab culture and the Arabic language, going out of my way to make sure that they speak Arabic fluently, and sending ...
7
votes
5answers
664 views
Where is the line drawn between immoral inactivity and a simple lack of action?
I've heard a lot about the supposed evils about not voting/voting for a 3rd party in recent political discussion here in the States. The reasoning seems to posit that (e.g.) in the Trump/Hillary race, ...
4
votes
3answers
526 views
Was Kierkegaard racist?
From his Fear and Trembling,
People commonly travel around the world to see rivers and mountains,
new stars, birds of rare plumage, queerly deformed fishes, ridiculous breeds of
men – they ...
-1
votes
2answers
96 views
Justifying Sports (and perhaps entertainment, too)
It is a very common opinion in my circles to either hate sports or invalidate it as a form of entertainment. None of them play sports, and those who do/did don't/didn't enjoy the experience. Now I've ...
0
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4answers
252 views
Has atheism answered this criticism of the moral philosophy “do as you would be done by”?
Many atheists who recognise society's need for a moral philosophy propose that the soundest workable one is "do as you would be done by". (Nicolas Walter, Colin Ward.)
This philosophy is open to the ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
How might you apply John Rawls' theory of justice as fairness to the issue of privacy and security?
I'm a bit confused about how to apply John Rawls' theory of Justice as Fairness to the issue of privacy/security. Which statement below is correct?
Justice as Fairness does not justify a decrease in ...
