Sure, agreed. The way I presented it only showed very simplistic reasoning.
Let’s just say that, if you imagine a Democrat that desperately wants to do x but can’t justify it morally (punch a baby, start a somewhat shady business, not return a lost wallet full of cash), one way to resolve this conflict is to add Republican channels to his reasoning.
It doesn’t always work (sanctity of life, etc), but I think for a large number of situations where we Democrats-at-heart get cold feet it works like a champ :)
It doesn’t always work (sanctity of life, etc), but I think for a large number of situations where we Democrats-at-heart get cold feet it works like a champ :)
So I’ve noticed. See the discussion following this comment for an example.
Peter Singer’s media-touted “position on infanticide” is an excellent example of why even philosophers might shy away from talking about hypotheticals in public. You appear to have just become Desrtopa’s nighmare.
It’s evident you really need to read the post. He can’t get people to answer hypotheticals in almost any circumstances and thought this was a defect in the people. Approximately everyone responded pointing out that in the real world, the main use of hypotheticals is to use them against people politically. This would be precisely what happened with the factoid about Singer.
Sure, agreed. The way I presented it only showed very simplistic reasoning.
Let’s just say that, if you imagine a Democrat that desperately wants to do x but can’t justify it morally (punch a baby, start a somewhat shady business, not return a lost wallet full of cash), one way to resolve this conflict is to add Republican channels to his reasoning.
It doesn’t always work (sanctity of life, etc), but I think for a large number of situations where we Democrats-at-heart get cold feet it works like a champ :)
So I’ve noticed. See the discussion following this comment for an example.
On the other hand other times Democrats take positions that Republicans horrific, e.g., euthanasia, abortion, Peter Singer’s position on infanticide.
Peter Singer’s media-touted “position on infanticide” is an excellent example of why even philosophers might shy away from talking about hypotheticals in public. You appear to have just become Desrtopa’s nighmare.
My problem with Singer is that his “hypotheticals” don’t appear all that hypothetical.
What specifically are you referring to? (I haven’t been following Desporta’s posts.)
It’s evident you really need to read the post. He can’t get people to answer hypotheticals in almost any circumstances and thought this was a defect in the people. Approximately everyone responded pointing out that in the real world, the main use of hypotheticals is to use them against people politically. This would be precisely what happened with the factoid about Singer.
Thanks for the link—very interesting reading :)