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Single Idea 6693

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 4. Categorical Imperative ]

Full Idea

I can object to your walking on the grass by asking 'What if everybody did that?', but the advantages of cheating depend upon the fact that most people don't cheat, so justifying my own cheating must involve special pleading.

Gist of Idea

'What if everybody did that?' rather misses the point as an objection to cheating

Source

Gordon Graham (Eight Theories of Ethics [2004], Ch.6)

Book Ref

Graham,Gordon: 'Eight Theories of Ethics' [Routledge 2004], p.114

A Reaction

It is, of course, reasonable to ask 'What if everybody cheated?', but it is also reasonable to reply that 'the whole point of cheating is that it exploits the honesty of others'. This shows that Kant cannot simply demolish the 'free rider'.

The 14 ideas from 'Eight Theories of Ethics'

6685 'Subjectivism' is an extension of relativism from the social group to the individual [Graham]
6691 It is more plausible to say people can choose between values, than that they can create them [Graham]
6688 Life is only absurd if you expected an explanation and none turns up [Graham]
6690 A standard problem for existentialism is the 'sincere Nazi' [Graham]
6689 The key to existentialism: the way you make choices is more important than what you choose [Graham]
6693 'What if everybody did that?' rather misses the point as an objection to cheating [Graham]
6700 We can't criticise people because of unforeseeable consequences [Graham]
6701 Rescue operations need spontaneous benevolence, not careful thought [Graham]
6699 The chain of consequences may not be the same as the chain of responsibility [Graham]
6698 Negative consequences are very hard (and possibly impossible) to assess [Graham]
6704 Egoism submits to desires, but cannot help form them [Graham]
6705 Existentialism may transcend our nature, unlike eudaimonism [Graham]
6706 The great religions are much more concerned with the religious life than with ethics [Graham]
6709 Western religion saves us from death; Eastern religion saves us from immortality [Graham]