The murderer at the door thing IMHO was Kant accidently providing his own reductio ad absurdum (Philosophers sometimes post outlandish extreme thought experiments of testing how a theory works when pushed to an extreme, its a test for universiality). Kant thought that it was entirely immoral to lie to the murderer because of a similar reason that Feel_Love suggests (in Kants case it was that the murderer might disbelieve you and instead do what your trying to get him not to do). The problem with Kants reasoning there is that he’s violating his own moral reasoning principle of providing a justification FROM the world rather than trusting the a-priori reasoning that forms the core thesis of his deontology. He tries to validate his reasoning by violating it. Kant is a shockingly consistant philosopher, but this wasnt an example of that at all.
I would absolutely lie to the murderer, and then possibly run him over with my car.
Kant thought that it was entirely immoral to lie to the murderer because of a similar reason that Feel_Love suggests (in Kants case it was that the murderer might disbelieve you and instead do what your trying to get him not to do).
Kant’s reason that you described doesn’t sound very similar to mine. I agree with your critique of the proposition that lying is bad primarily because it increases the chance that others will commit violence.
My view is that the behavior of others is out of my control; they will frequently say and do things I don’t like, regardless of what I do. I’m only accountable for my own thoughts and actions. Lying is bad for my personal experience first and foremost, as I prefer to live (and die) without confusing my mind by maintaining delusional world models. My first priority is my own mental health, which in turn supports efforts to help others.
I would absolutely lie to the murderer, and then possibly run him over with my car.
Similarly with regard to killing, my thinking is that I’m mortal, and my efforts to protect my health will fail sooner or later. I can’t escape death, no matter what means I employ. But while the quantity of my lifespan is unknown to me and out of my control, the quality of my life is the result of my intentions. I will never entertain the goal of killing someone, because spending my limited time peacefully is much more enjoyable and conducive to emotional health. Having made it to my car, I’ll just drive away.
It’s an interesting question whether someone who participates in fights to the death has a shorter or longer life expectancy on average than one who abstains from violence. But the answer is irrelevant to my decision-making.
The murderer at the door thing IMHO was Kant accidently providing his own reductio ad absurdum (Philosophers sometimes post outlandish extreme thought experiments of testing how a theory works when pushed to an extreme, its a test for universiality). Kant thought that it was entirely immoral to lie to the murderer because of a similar reason that Feel_Love suggests (in Kants case it was that the murderer might disbelieve you and instead do what your trying to get him not to do). The problem with Kants reasoning there is that he’s violating his own moral reasoning principle of providing a justification FROM the world rather than trusting the a-priori reasoning that forms the core thesis of his deontology. He tries to validate his reasoning by violating it. Kant is a shockingly consistant philosopher, but this wasnt an example of that at all.
I would absolutely lie to the murderer, and then possibly run him over with my car.
Kant’s reason that you described doesn’t sound very similar to mine. I agree with your critique of the proposition that lying is bad primarily because it increases the chance that others will commit violence.
My view is that the behavior of others is out of my control; they will frequently say and do things I don’t like, regardless of what I do. I’m only accountable for my own thoughts and actions. Lying is bad for my personal experience first and foremost, as I prefer to live (and die) without confusing my mind by maintaining delusional world models. My first priority is my own mental health, which in turn supports efforts to help others.
Similarly with regard to killing, my thinking is that I’m mortal, and my efforts to protect my health will fail sooner or later. I can’t escape death, no matter what means I employ. But while the quantity of my lifespan is unknown to me and out of my control, the quality of my life is the result of my intentions. I will never entertain the goal of killing someone, because spending my limited time peacefully is much more enjoyable and conducive to emotional health. Having made it to my car, I’ll just drive away.
It’s an interesting question whether someone who participates in fights to the death has a shorter or longer life expectancy on average than one who abstains from violence. But the answer is irrelevant to my decision-making.