Combining Texts

Ideas for 'The Nature of Things', 'Eight Theories of Ethics' and 'Parerga and Paralipomena'

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2 ideas

22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 1. Nature of Ethics / g. Moral responsibility

6699	The chain of consequences may not be the same as the chain of responsibility [Graham]
	Full Idea: From a utilitarian point of view, the error of Archduke Ferdinand's driver (he turned up a cul-de-sac) was the worst in history, ...but the chain of consequences may not be the same as the chain of responsibility.
	From: Gordon Graham (Eight Theories of Ethics [2004], Ch.7)
	A reaction: Can you cause something, and yet not be responsible for it? The driver was presumably fully conscious, rational and deliberate. He must share the responsibility for catastrophe, just as he shares in the causing of all the consequences.

22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / e. Human nature

21483	Man is essentially a dreadful wild animal [Schopenhauer]
	Full Idea: Man is at bottom a dreadful wild animal.
	From: Arthur Schopenhauer (Parerga and Paralipomena [1851], VIII:114)
	A reaction: As an example he cites the slave owners in the United States.