Making a (More) Moral World

09 August 2023

Making a better world would be a great thing—but do we need philosophers to help us do that? Famously (or infamously), not all philosophers have been such great people. So are they the folks we should be taking ethical advice from?

To be fair, plenty of thinkers have had excellent ideas, and some have even used them to change the world for the better. To take two shining examples, W.E.B. Du Bois played a crucial role in the Civil Rights movement, and Hannah Arendt helped organize reparations for Jews after WWII. So why not learn from their thought and their example?

Plus, even in cases where philosophers made some questionable life decisions, we may still be able to learn from their philosophy. John Stuart Mill worked for the East India company, which was heavily involved in the slave trade. At the same time, he said some very interesting things about freedom and, together with Harriet Taylor, advocated for the equality of men and women. Perhaps we can apply the motto “do as I say, not do as I do”: we can reject Mill’s career, that is, while still learning something important from his ideas. If we want to make the world a better place, it may help to listen to folks like him.

Then again, there are also philosophers who had some dodgy ideas, as opposed to committing some dodgy actions. Immanuel Kant, for example, said women were not fully rational beings, and David Hume said Black people are “naturally inferior” to White people. These are terrible beliefs—the very opposite of ideas to live by. So should we consider Du Bois, Arendt, and (in a different way) Mill and Taylor mere exceptions? When we think about building a better world, should we still avoid philosophy?

One very reasonable response would be to say that philosophy isn’t just a matter of beliefs; it’s also, crucially, a matter of skills and habits of mind. The point of studying moral philosophy isn’t just to pick up a bunch of ideas—even in cases where the ideas are good—but also to sharpen our skills of moral reasoning. If we want a better world, we need to think critically, carefully, and insightfully about the problems we all face. Even if those habits periodically failed some philosophers, allowing them to reach abysmal conclusions, we still shouldn’t abandon them as a lost cause. We should just use them better.

And we should supplement them with something equally important, something recommended by philosophers such as Charles Mills. That is, we should do our homework, researching the actual facts on the ground. We should consider, as best we can, the likely consequences of any course of action. We should listen to the voices of those liable to be affected, for good or ill. 

Philosophers don’t always do that. When they talk about the “trolley problem,” for example—imagine a person tied to one train track who will die if you pull a lever, and five people tied to another train track who will die if you do nothing—philosophers often simplify enormously. In real life, for all we know, the train driver could throw on the brakes, or the whole thing might be a stunt for a movie, or maybe there are even more potential victims down the track that you just can’t see. These details are important, and philosophy doesn’t tell you how to think them through.

But still: once we’ve done our research, and listened to the voices of those affected, we will still need to weigh up everyone’s needs and concerns. And that means, most likely, that we will need moral philosophy after all. That's certainly the view of our guest, renowned ethicist Peter Singer, who has spent a lifetime trying to put his philosophical values into action.

Comments (15)


Harold G. Neuman's picture

Harold G. Neuman

Monday, August 28, 2023 -- 8:50 AM

I read something a while back

I read something a while back on another blog. The piece was by a moral philosopher, making one of the statements in it the more interesting. I will paraphrase, not quote , what was said. The writer said, all things considered, morality does not matter much. We might reasonably add an inference. Insofar as ethics and morality are somewhere on the same wavelength, ethics does not matter much either. Thinking about the close of the last millennium and the early stages of this new one, there is a body of evidence growing that supports the nihilist view. Dire straits are upon us in many ways and civil society suffers from complacency around whether to behave responsibly, or blame someone else when things go badly. More and more, folks do blame sd yuomeone else because they don't want to admit their own negligence or carelessness.. This is something akin to the military motto: *never apologize, it's a sign of weakness.*. That slogan is battlefield etiquette, because weakness is not an acceptable battlefield protocol. Weakness and indecision lose battles. Lost battles tally to lost wars. So, on that basis, we bestow blame: we don't want to lose. Anything. Morality does not matter, winning does. That philosophy has a point. More people are adopting it. Seems to me.

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Harold G. Neuman's picture

Harold G. Neuman

Saturday, September 2, 2023 -- 9:56 AM

Read a post today concerning

Read a post today concerning ethics. The title, slightly abbreviated, asked: should ethicists walk the walk? The figure, subject to this inquiry, was a man who was unethical and/or at least amoral in his life actions and choices. My comment/reply asserted that if one were inclined to assume the ethical label, he/she/they needed to wear the clothing. Put colloquially, if you profess duckhood, looking and walking like a duck, you had best not moo like a cow. People are easily confused, and when confused intentionally, they become first indignant, then angry. Folks do not like liars and manipulators. After the last half dozen + years, who can blame them? The thinker/originator of the blog I write of is/was an,associate or affiliate of Stanford.---I think. Smart guy. We are beginning to understand each other. Maybe.

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Harold G. Neuman's picture

Harold G. Neuman

Saturday, September 2, 2023 -- 10:42 AM

Late news break:

Late news break:
Got a reply to the subject of the above comment
Answer: equivocation. The blogger does not wish to support or reject the notions of anyone. Every road has a middle. And a ditch or chasm on either side. I take calculated chances, and accept the consequences of being wrong. This is, I assert, responsive consciousness. Dennett talked about making mistakes. More modern thinkers don't want to dangle their toes in the piranha pool.. Dan D. did that with consciousness and got his toes chewed. Pedestrian thinking emerges into responsive consciousness. You heard it here. Not done, yet.

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Rearsays's picture

Rearsays

Thursday, January 4, 2024 -- 11:47 PM

Oh wow. That's nice info!

Oh wow. That's nice info!

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RoscoeBarrows's picture

RoscoeBarrows

Monday, June 24, 2024 -- 8:48 PM

To truly strive for a better

To truly strive for a better world, it is crucial to combine philosophical reflection with a commitment to empirical research and understanding the lived experiences of others Fall Guys.

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ryanrobbie's picture

ryanrobbie

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 -- 11:33 PM

My view is that we should not

My view is that we should not abandon philosophy, but rather approach it with a critical eye. We must be willing to scrutinize and reject the flawed and biased ideas of philosophers, while still drawing upon the invaluable tools of philosophical reasoning to tackle pressing social and ethical issues. The onus is on us to use philosophy in service of justice, equality, and human flourishing - not to uncritically accept the pronouncements of any individual philosopher, no matter how renowned @mapquest driving directions

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Jacobjsdhfg

Wednesday, June 26, 2024 -- 8:19 PM

@Drive Mad 2: I believe we

@Drive Mad 2: I believe we can and should learn from philosophers, but we must do so judiciously, focusing on the quality and real-world relevance of their ideas rather than their personal conduct.

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Brett T. Harrison's picture

Brett T. Harrison

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 -- 2:02 AM

Creating a better world is a

Creating a better world is a worthy endeavor, and philosophers can play an important role in guiding us with ethical theories and perspectives. However, not all philosophers are up to the standard we would like to see. To ensure that we receive accurate and trustworthy advice, incorporating modern methods from top cloud into the analysis and application of ethical theory may be an effective approach.

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EvelynHarmon

Monday, August 5, 2024 -- 8:20 PM

I really appreciate the care

I really appreciate the care and dedication you put into this article. friday night funkin

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Jessie's picture

Jessie

Monday, August 5, 2024 -- 11:47 PM

"Making a (More) Moral World"

"Making a (More) Moral World" encourages us to build a more just society by considering the effects of our actions, similar to the game FNAF, where every choice has consequences. This moral consideration can help us act more responsibly in life. fnaf

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Margaret99's picture

Margaret99

Thursday, August 8, 2024 -- 1:03 AM

This idea resonates strongly

This idea resonates strongly in today’s climate, where individuals and organizations alike strive to promote fairness, integrity, and compassion. By exploring and embracing strategies for moral improvement, we can collectively work towards creating a more just and equitable world. Stay informed and engaged with this top search subject to understand how you can contribute to meaningful change in your community and beyond.

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GeraldOrtiz's picture

GeraldOrtiz

Friday, October 11, 2024 -- 6:33 PM

This thought-provoking blog

This thought-provoking blog explores the role of moral philosophy in shaping a better world, despite some philosophers' personal flaws. It's a reminder that we can learn from great thinkers, even when their actions don’t fully align with their ideas. For more intellectual debates, why not let google be your guide? It's like having a philosophical library in your pocket.

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joshuakenneth

Saturday, November 2, 2024 -- 11:59 AM

"The Carol Burnett Show"

"The Carol Burnett Show" debuted in 1967 and quickly became a staple of television comedy. I appreciate its blend of sketch comedy and musical performances, showcasing Carol Burnett's incredible gender reveal confetti cannon talent and versatility. The show’s unique humor and memorable characters have left a lasting impact, influencing generations of comedians and audiences alike.

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D. Chaney's picture

D. Chaney

Wednesday, November 27, 2024 -- 1:25 AM

Your comment beautifully

Your comment beautifully highlights the joy of learning and discovery—thank you for sharing! Transitioning from games like Quordle to diving into insightful posts shows a wonderful shift toward growth and exploration. Similarly, in Siren Head: Playing in the Forest, players find excitement through uncovering mysteries and adapting to new challenges. It’s inspiring to see such enthusiasm for knowledge—keep up the curiosity and passion!

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loteessa's picture

loteessa

Friday, December 20, 2024 -- 12:03 AM

Absolutely! It’s fascinating

Absolutely! It’s fascinating to see how games like Geometry Dash encourage strategic thinking and problem-solving, paralleling the transition from Quordle to engaging discussions. The thrill of jumping to new heights in Geometry Dash mirrors the excitement of uncovering new concepts in your posts. Let's keep exploring and sharing our learning journeys together!
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