Single Idea 4127

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / i. Prescriptivism]

Full Idea

If there is to be total identification with others, then if another's preferences are mistaken, the preferences I imagine myself into are equally mistaken, and if 'identification' is the point, they should remain mistaken.

Gist of Idea

If morality is to be built on identification with the preferences of others, I must agree with their errors

Source

comment on Richard M. Hare (Moral Thinking: Its Levels,Method and Point [1981]) by Bernard Williams - Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy Ch.5

Book Reference

Williams,Bernard: 'Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy' [Fontana 1985], p.89


A Reaction

Yes. The core of morality must be judgement. Robots can implement universal utilitarian rules, but they could end up promoting persecutions of minorities.