Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Commentary on 'De Anima'', 'Leviathan' and 'Animal Rights and Wrongs'

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2 ideas

23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 2. Duty
That which can only be done by a callous person, ought not to be done [Scruton]
     Full Idea: That which can only be done by a callous person, ought not to be done.
     From: Roger Scruton (Animal Rights and Wrongs [1996], p.86)
     A reaction: The problem cases all arise in wartime. Ideally we want to show sympathy even when being necessarily ruthless, but in practice we send the callous ones to do the horrible deed.
23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 3. Universalisability
As soon as we drop self-interest and judge impartially, we find ourselves agreeing about conflicts [Scruton]
     Full Idea: As soon as we set our own interests aside and look on human relations with the eye of the impartial judge, we find ourselves agreeing over the rights and wrongs of any conflict.
     From: Roger Scruton (Animal Rights and Wrongs [1996], p.59)
     A reaction: A nice, and fairly plausible, defence of Kantian ethics. Maybe the UN should actually settle all disputes, instead of just peace-keeping. The idea merely describes the function of the law, and especially an independent judiciary.