Notes on Moral Dilemmas and Moral Philosophy

Introduction

• Speaker: Marianne Tolbert
• Audience: Mix of familiar and new faces
• Slides available in handout form or with the podcast

Session Overview

• Discussing:
  • Moral dilemmas
  • General moral rules vs. particular moral situations
  • Context-sensitive moral reasoning

Moral Dilemmas

• Example Scenario: Friend asks for opinion on new haircut.
  • Dilemma: Truthfulness vs. Kindness
  • Key Rules:
    • Be truthful
    • Be kind
• Conflict arises when general moral rules clash in specific situations.
• Other examples of moral dilemmas:
  • Loyalty to friends vs. honesty in school situations.

Straw Poll on the Example Scenario

• Who would tell the truth? (Some hands raised)
• Who would be kind? (Most hands raised)

Rational Reflection on Values

• Moral dilemmas prompt reflection on deeper values:
  • What does it mean to be truthful?
  • What does it mean to be kind?
• Yearning for clarity in moral rules simplifies decision-making.

Moral Generalism vs. Particularism

• Moral Generalists:
  • Believe morality is governed by rules (e.g., always be honest).
• Particularists:
  • Argue that moral reasoning is context-sensitive and not always governed by rules.
• References: Jonathan Dancy (particularist perspective)

Context-Sensitivity of Moral Reasons

• Example discussed: Refusing to perform an action because it would involve lying.
• In certain situations, lying may be the morally correct action (e.g., hiding Jews from Nazis).

First-Order vs. Second-Order Moral Thinking

• First-Order Moral Thinking:
  • Concerned with practical moral decisions (e.g., should I lie?).
• Second-Order Moral Thinking:
  • Involves theorizing about morality and moral rules (e.g., should we follow rules?).
• Important to distinguish between these two types of thinking for clarity in moral discussions.

Examples of Moral Questions

• Is lying morally acceptable? (First-order)
• What makes a moral judgment correct? (Second-order)

Moral Truth: Absolute vs. Relative

• Moral Absolutism:
  • At least one moral statement is absolutely true.
  • Example: "It is wrong to kill innocent human beings" could be seen as an absolute.
• Moral Relativism:
  • All moral statements are true or false only relative to something.

Arguments for Moral Relativism

1. Respect for Moral Views:
   • Argument is self-defeating; cannot derive relativism from an absolute.
2. Differing Moral Beliefs:
   • Assimilates moral statements to personal preferences; contradicts absolutes.
3. Cultural Differences:
   • Different behaviors generated by circumstances; allows for moral error.
4. Situational Demands:
   • Relies on lower-order absolutism; assumes all moral rules are absolute.

Types of Absolutism

• Lower-Order Absolutism:
  • Everyday moral rules (e.g., don't lie).
• Higher-Order Absolutism:
  • Moral absolutes are rules like utilitarianism (greatest happiness principle).
• Token Absolutism:
  • Moral absolutes about specific actions.

Conclusion and Reflection

• Encouragement to reflect on personal beliefs regarding moral absolutism vs. relativism.
• Importance of engaging with these concepts philosophically.
• Reading and materials available for further study.