Ideas from 'Habermas' by James Gordon Finlayson [2005], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Habermas' by Finlayson,James G. [OUP 2005,0-19-284095-9]].

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22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / b. Rational ethics
We don't condemn people for being bad at reasoning
                        Full Idea: We do not morally disapprove of people who are incompetent reasoners.
                        From: James Gordon Finlayson (Habermas [2005], Ch.6:83)
                        A reaction: Well, we don't morally disapprove simply of their lack of reasoning ability, but we may morally disapprove of their actions, which have arisen entirely from the disability.
23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 3. Universalisability
One can universalise good advice, but that doesn't make it an obligation
                        Full Idea: 'Early to bed and early to rise' is a universalizable maxim, but, though it might be good advice, there is obviously no such obligation.
                        From: James Gordon Finlayson (Habermas [2005], Ch.6:83)
                        A reaction: I take it that Kant's rule won't distinguish moral guidance from prudential guidance. Unfair, I think. I may be a lark, but when I universalise this maxim I see that it can't be willed as a universal rule, because we should tolerate the owls.
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 5. Culture
The 'culture industry' is an advertisement for the way things are
                        Full Idea: Critical theory said that culture unwittingly played the role of an advertisement for the way things are. Horkheimer and Adorno referred to this phenomenon as the 'culture industry'.
                        From: James Gordon Finlayson (Habermas [2005], Ch.1:04)
                        A reaction: An interesting perspective. However, absolutely everything is an advertisement for what it offers. I think this is especially true of moral (and immoral) actions.