I’m all for rational evaluations of problems, but rationality does not apply to moral arguments. Morality is an emotional response by its very nature. Rational arguments are fine when we’re comparing large numbers of people.
I don’t understand this. Sure, small amounts often have more emotional force (“near mode”) than large ones (“far mode”.) But that doesn’t make it right to let your bias hurt people. OTOH, you said “It doesn’t truly become about morality until it’s personal”, so maybe you mean something unusual when you say “morality”.
I’m not a psychologist, but I imagine if you had different answers to torturing vs. being tortured, that says something about you. Not sure what...
Humans are often unable to conform perfectly to their desires, even when they know what the best choice is. It’s known as “akrasia”. For example, addicts often want to stop taking the drugs. If you couldn’t bring yourself to make that sacrifice, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t, or that you believe you shouldn’t. (Not saying you think it does, just noting for the record.)
I don’t understand this. Sure, small amounts often have more emotional force (“near mode”) than large ones (“far mode”.) But that doesn’t make it right to let your bias hurt people. OTOH, you said “It doesn’t truly become about morality until it’s personal”, so maybe you mean something unusual when you say “morality”.
Humans are often unable to conform perfectly to their desires, even when they know what the best choice is. It’s known as “akrasia”. For example, addicts often want to stop taking the drugs. If you couldn’t bring yourself to make that sacrifice, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t, or that you believe you shouldn’t. (Not saying you think it does, just noting for the record.)