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Single Idea 20286
[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / c. Ethical intuitionism
]
Full Idea
When following conscience means doing as one's 'internal voice' prompts one to do, to follow one's conscience it so abdicate one's responsibility as a rational agent.
Gist of Idea
Following an inner voice for morality is irresponsible in a rational agent
Source
Peter Singer (Practical Ethics [1979], 09)
Book Ref
Singer,Peter: 'Practical Ethics' [CUP 1989], p.185
A Reaction
Seems dead right. An inner voice is far more likely to be your culture and upbringing than to be an absolute moral truth. It may not be entirely wrong, though, to behave as your culture requires.
The
16 ideas
from Peter Singer
21993
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Materialist history says we are subject to incomprehensible forces
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In Marxism the state will be superseded
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20276
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Conflict of rules might be avoided by greater complexity, or by a hierarchy of rules
[Singer]
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20278
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'Marginal utility' says something is more useful if it is in short supply
[Singer]
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20277
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Equality of interests is a minimal principle, not implying equal treatment
[Singer]
|
20279
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Equality of opportunity unfairly rewards those lucky enough to have great ability
[Singer]
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20281
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Why should I do anything for posterity? What has posterity ever done for me?
[Singer]
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20282
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The sanctity of a human life depends either on being of our species, or on being a person
[Singer]
|
20283
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Killing a chimp is worse than killing a human too defective to be a person
[Singer]
|
20284
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Why should a potential person have the rights of an actual person?
[Singer]
|
20285
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If a right entails having the relevant desire, many creatures might have no right to life
[Singer]
|
20287
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If 49% of the population can be wrong, so can 51%
[Singer]
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20286
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Following an inner voice for morality is irresponsible in a rational agent
[Singer]
|
20288
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You can't condemn violent revolution without assessing the evils it prevents
[Singer]
|
20290
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Psychopaths may just be bored, because they cannot participate in normal emotional life
[Singer]
|
20289
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Ethics is universalisable - it must involve an impartial and universal view of things
[Singer]
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