DOCSLIB.ORG

Exposure to Moral Relativism Compromises Moral Behavior

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Exposure to Moral Relativism Compromises Moral Behavior UCLA UCLA Previously Published Works Title Exposure to moral relativism compromises moral behavior Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4jc1j7gf Journal Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 49(6) ISSN 0022-1031 Authors Rai, TS Holyoak, KJ Publication Date 2013-11-01 DOI 10.1016/j.jesp.2013.06.008 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 49 (2013) 995–1001 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Experimental Social Psychology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jesp Exposure to moral relativism compromises moral behavior Tage S. Rai a,⁎, Keith J. Holyoak b a Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, USA b Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA HIGHLIGHTS • We examined whether exposure to moral relativism would compromise moral behavior. • Participants who read a relativist argument were more likely to cheat. • Participants who read an absolutist moral definition were less willing to steal. • The subjectivity of morality implied by relativism appears to compromise behavior. article info abstract Article history: Across two studies we investigated the relationship between moral relativism versus absolutism and moral Received 7 May 2013 behavior. In Experiment 1, we found that participants who read a relativist argument for tolerating female Revised 30 June 2013 genital mutilation were more likely to cheat to win an incentivized raffle than participants who read an Available online 10 July 2013 absolutist argument against female genital mutilation, or those in a control condition. In Experiment 2, participants who read a definition of morality phrased in absolutist terms expressed less willingness to engage Keywords: in petty theft than those who read a definition of morality phrased in relativist terms, or those in a control Moral Ethics condition. Experiment 2 also provided evidence that effects were not due to absolutist arguments signaling Relativism that fewer behaviors are morally permissible, nor to relativist arguments defending more disagreeable moral Absolutism positions. Rather, the content of the philosophical positions themselves—the fact that relativism describes moral- Metaphysics ity as subjective and culturally-historically contingent, whereas absolutism describes morality as objective and Tolerance universal—makes individuals more likely to engage in immoral behaviors when exposed to moral relativism compared to moral absolutism. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Introduction less absolutist positions on morality in light of evidence that people across cultures and time periods differ radically in their moral beliefs The philosophical position of moral absolutism holds that some moral (Flanagan, Sarkissian, & Wong, 2008; Haidt, 2007; MacIntyre, 1984; Rai beliefs are objectively true, and reflect facts that are independent of any & Fiske, 2011; Wong, 2006). In the present paper we examine what social group's specific preferences. Under this view, a statement such as effects, if any, exposure to these different moral perspectives may have “killing is wrong” is similar to the statement “2+2=4.” The statement on moral behavior and moral intentions. is either true or false; it is not a matter of opinion. On the other end of the The inherent subjectivity of moral relativism may imply that people spectrum, the philosophical position of moral relativism holds that the can have no basis for making moral judgments against those with truth or falsity of moral beliefs are products of our traditions and cultural whom they disagree, as relativism provides no objective criteria for de- histories, rather than objective statements based on logic, or facts about termining who is right (Gowans, 2012). For example, whereas human the state of the world independent of our own opinions or perspectives. rights advocates have argued that female genital mutilation harms According to moral relativism, if we had different traditions and cultural women's bodies and is therefore intrinsically morally wrong, defenders histories we would have different moral beliefs, which would be no of the practice have argued that moral judgments must be made relative more “right” or “wrong” thanthosewenowhold(Harman, 1975). In to the social groups in which practices take place, and therefore we must recent decades, philosophers and psychologists alike have adopted tolerate female genital mutilation because it carries important meaning for the people who practice it (Gruenbaum, 2001; James, 1994). Impor- tantly, those who fear the consequences of moral relativism believe that if people lose their objective basis for judging others, they will even- ⁎ Corresponding author at: Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, 2001 Sheridan Road, Jacobs Center 501, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. tually direct this attitude inward and become more likely to engage in E-mail address: [email protected] (T.S. Rai). immoral behaviors themselves. 0022-1031/$ – see front matter © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2013.06.008 996 T.S. Rai, K.J. Holyoak / Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 49 (2013) 995–1001 Note that there is no intrinsic reason why a relativistic conception of engagement in immoral behavior, nor have any studies elucidated the morality need adopt all of these positions. In philosophy, meta-ethical causal mechanisms that might underlie such effects. relativism accepts that our moral beliefs are ultimately subjective, but In the present paper, we examine whether exposure to moral does not hold the normative position that this subjectivity forces us to relativism versus moral absolutism shifts our willingness to engage tolerate behaviors that we find morally disagreeable, nor that our own in immoral behavior. We hypothesized that if moral beliefs derive behavior should necessarily be impaired (Wong, 2006). And yet, is it their motivational strength from being perceived as universal and possible that the folk conception of moral relativism carries less weight rooted in facts about the state of the world rather than in subjective for laypeople than does moral absolutism, because the former is preferences, exposure to moral relativism will lead people to engage thought to imply that nothing is definitively right or wrong? And in immoral behavior, whereas exposure to moral absolutism will might this perspective weaken the moral motivation we need to refrain make people refrain from engaging in immoral behavior. From this from engaging in immoral behaviors ourselves? perspective, to be absolutist in our moral beliefs increases motivation Previous research has found that priming participants' sense of to behave in accord with them, whereas the inherent subjectivity of morality in some way (e.g., by having them write down the Ten morality implied by moral relativism reduces this motivation and Commandments or reminding them of their school's honor code) increases the likelihood of engaging in immoral behavior. reduces their willingness to engage in immoral behavior (Mazar, In Experiment 1, we investigated whether exposing participants Amir, & Ariely, 2008). However, this line of research has not distin- to either a moral relativist argument in favor of tolerance toward a guished between more absolutist and more relativist conceptions of culturally disagreeable practice, or a moral absolutist argument against morality. Goodwin and Darley (2008) found that people often view tolerance of the practice, would influence their cheating behavior in a their moral values in more absolutist, factual terms than their non- subsequent incentivized task. In Experiment 2, we investigated whether moral values, such as aesthetic preferences and tastes. However, there exposing participants to either relativist or absolutist definitions of is considerable variability in the perceived objectivity of moral beliefs, morality would influence their willingness to engage in a petty theft and perceived consensus regarding the moral status of an act and the while testing between competing hypotheses regarding the causal negativity of the act both predict more absolutist beliefs in regard to mechanisms underlying our effect. the act (Goodwin & Darley, 2012). Skitka, Bauman, and Sargis (2005) have argued that this quality of Experiment 1 strongly held moral beliefs, which they refer to as moral conviction,is crucial to their functioning. Specifically, they have argued that deeply Experiment 1 investigated whether exposure to arguments for held moral values derive their strength to motivate moral behavior moral relativism and moral absolutism could impact moral behavior. from being experienced as universal and rooted in facts about the We presented participants with either a moral relativist argument for state of the world, rather than in subjective opinions that differ across tolerating the practice of female genital mutilation or a moral absolutist time and cultures. Skitka and colleagues have found that greater argument for banning the practice. If adopting more relativist perspec- moral conviction is predictive of more strongly held beliefs and judg- tives weakens moral motivation by making morality more subjective, ments on a range of moral–political issues, greater willingness to act then exposure to an argument for moral relativism should make partic- on moral beliefs (e.g., to vote), and greater intolerance of those who ipants more likely to engage in an immoral behavior:
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Western Philosophy Rev
    Designed by John Cornet, Phoenix HS (Ore) Western Philosophy rev. September 2012 The very process of philosophy has been a driving force in the tranformation of the world. From the figure who dwells upon how to achieve power, to the minister who contemplates the paradox of the only truth (their faith) yet which is also stagnent, to the astronomers who are searching the stars for signs of other civilizations, to the revolutionaries who sought to construct a national government which would protect the rights of the minority, the very exercise of philosophy and philosophical thought is at a core of human nature. Philosophy addresses what are sometimes called the "big questions." These include questions of morality and ethics, ideology/faith,, politics, the truth of knowledge, the nature of reality, and the meaning of human existance (...just to name a few!) (Religion addresses some of the same questions, but while philosophy and religion overlap in some questions, they can and do differ significantly in the approach they take to answering them.) Subject Learning Outcomes Skills-Based Learning Outcomes Behavioral Expectations and Grading Policy Develop an appreciation for and enjoyment of Organize, maintain and learn how to study from a learning, particularly in how learning should subject-specific notebook Attendance, participation and cause us to question what we think we know Be able to demonstrate how to take notes (including being prepared are daily and have a willingness to entertain new utilizing two-column format) expectations perspectives on issues. Be able to engage in meaningful, substantive discussion A classroom culture of respect and Students will develop familiarity with major with others.
    [Show full text]
  • Science, Subjectivity & Reality
    CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by Science and Religion Dialogue Prints Journal of Consciousness Exploration & Research| April 2016 | Volume 7 | Issue 4 | pp. 333-336 333 Pereira, C. & Reddy, J. S. K., On Science & Phenomenology in Consciousness Studies Perspective Science, Subjectivity & Reality * Contzen Pereira & J. S. K. Reddy Abstract In this paper, we argue on the ability of science to capture the true subjective experience of life, blinded within the limits of its reductionist approaches. With this approach, even though science can explain well the physics behind the objective phenomenon, it fails fundamentally in understanding the various aspects associated with the biological entities. In this sense, we are skeptical to the present approach of science and calls out for a more fundamental theory of life that considers not only the objectivity aspect of a biological entity but also the subjective experience as well. It raises questions as to what does it takes to develop a new science from a subjective standpoint. Key Words: Science, subjectivity, reality, cosmos, peripersonal space. Modern science is based on the principle “Give us one free miracle and we’ll explain the rest.” The one free miracle is the appearance of all the matter and energy in the universe and all the laws that govern it from nothing, in a single instant - Terrence McKenna The Cosmos showers the experience of life graced by an enigmatic subject grounded in an objective fabric (or biological structure). The extent of the subjective experience is in a way bounded by the limitations of an objective fabric.
    [Show full text]
  • Moral Values
    MORAL VALUES Moral values are one basis on which we make decisions–right or wrong? good or evil? Other bases are financial, convenient, aesthetic (an artist), arbitrary (flipping a coin), physical/health, rational (investigating a product before buying). INDIVIDUAL MORALITY AND SOCIAL MORALITY Individual morality This provides the basis of decisions of and judgments by the individual: honesty, loyalty, good faith, being responsible Social morality Fairness is one basis of law, which helps to govern society and to control individual behavior. Social morality considers whether an action threatens society’s well-being.. Conflict. Individual morality and social morality may conflict. Is the free downloading/sharing of music from the Internet a copyright violation? Is using text downloaded from the Internet without footnotes in student papers plagiarism? Should the government regulate non-harmful sexual acts by consenting adults in their own homes or adults reading pornography at home? MORAL RELATIVISM VERSUS MORAL ABSOLUTISM Individual relativism Right and wrong depend on the social or moral commitments of the individual. Situational relativism Right and wrong vary depending on the particular situation. Cultural relativism Moral norms vary by culture; right and wrong depend on the moral norms of the society: female infanticide in China, suttee in India, slavery. Moral absolutism Absolute standards exist by which all rules, commitments and behavior can be judged. The fact that moral commitments vary in different societies does not mean that morality is relative, just as the fact that scientific beliefs may differ in various societies does not prove that scientific truth is relative. MORAL PRINCIPLES APPLYING TO INDIVIDUALS The rules that most of us think of as morality are based on principles.
    [Show full text]
  • Aristotelian Habitus and the Power of the Embodied Self: Reflections on the Insights Gained from the Fakirs in Bangladesh
    23 Bangladesh e-Journal of Sociology. Volume 17, Number 2. July 2020. Aristotelian Habitus and the Power of the Embodied Self: Reflections on the Insights Gained from the Fakirs in Bangladesh Mohammad Golam Nabi Mozumder1, Abstract: This article traces back classical Greek and Medieval meanings of habitus to show that Bourdieu’s redefinition of habitus discarded a seminal feature of Aristotelian habitus—the power of radically transforming the self at will. I elaborate how the practices of purposefully training the embodied self remains marginalized in Pierre Bourdieu’s re-conceptualization of habitus. Examining Aristotle’s habitus, this paper brings back the focus on the long-neglected insight of the power of deliberately (re)training the self in constructing a heterodox but ethical way of being and socializing. As an example, I refer to the Fakirs in current Bangladesh, who cultivate antinomian life-practices. The main argument of the paper is that habitus in Bourdieu’s formulations is less suitable than Aristotle’s in analysing the praxis of the Fakirs. I suggest that instead of sticking to a universal conceptualization of habitus, sociologists should consider with equal importance both models of habitus articulated by Aristotle and Bourdieu. Doing that could benefit contemporary sociology in two ways: First, Aristotle’s conceptualization of habitus is an important tool in identifying the sociological importance of the praxis of marginalized groups, e.g., Fakirs in Bangladesh; and second, extending the focus of a key sociological concept, i.e., habitus, addresses the apparent disconnect between the wisdom of heterodox practitioners in the Global South and dominant social theories built upon the analyses of European and American social traditions.
    [Show full text]
  • Hegel and Aristotle
    HEGEL AND ARISTOTLE ALFREDO FERRARIN Boston University published by the press syndicate of the university of cambridge The Pitt Building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom cambridge university press The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge cb2 2ru, uk 40 West 20th Street, New York, ny 10011-4211, usa 10 Stamford Road, Oakleigh, vic 3166, Australia Ruiz de Alarcón 13, 28014 Madrid, Spain Dock House, The Waterfront, Cape Town 8001, South Africa http://www.cambridge.org © Alfredo Ferrarin 2001 This book is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published 2001 Printed in the United States of America Typeface Baskerville 10.25/13 pt. System QuarkXPress™ 4.04 [AG] A catalog record for this book is available from the British Library. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Ferrarin, Alfredo, 1960– Hegel and Aristotle / Alfredo Ferrarin. p. cm.–(Modern European philosophy) Includes bibliographical references and index. isbn 0-521-78314-3 1. Hegel, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich, 1770–1831. 2. Aristotle – Influence. I. Title. II. Series. B2948 .F425 2000 193–dc21 00-029779 ISBN 0 521 78314 3 hardback CONTENTS Acknowledgments page xiii List of Abbreviations xv Introduction 1 § 1. Preliminary Notes 1 § 2. On the Object and Method of This Book 7 § 3. Can Energeia Be Understood as Subjectivity? 15 part i the history of philosophy and its place within the system 1. The Idea of a History of Philosophy 31 § 1. The Lectures on the History of Philosophy: Editions and Sources 31 § 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Moral Relativism
    City University of New York (CUNY) CUNY Academic Works Publications and Research New York City College of Technology 2020 The Incoherence of Moral Relativism Carlo Alvaro CUNY New York City College of Technology How does access to this work benefit ou?y Let us know! More information about this work at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/ny_pubs/583 Discover additional works at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu This work is made publicly available by the City University of New York (CUNY). Contact: [email protected] 1 The Incoherence of Moral Relativism Abstract This paper is a response to Park Seungbae’s article, “Defence of Cultural Relativism”. Some of the typical criticisms of moral relativism are the following: moral relativism is erroneously committed to the principle of tolerance, which is a universal principle; there are a number of objective moral rules; a moral relativist must admit that Hitler was right, which is absurd; a moral relativist must deny, in the face of evidence, that moral progress is possible; and, since every individual belongs to multiple cultures at once, the concept of moral relativism is vague. Park argues that such contentions do not affect moral relativism and that the moral relativist may respond that the value of tolerance, Hitler’s actions, and the concept of culture are themselves relative. In what follows, I show that Park’s adroit strategy is unsuccessful. Consequently, moral relativism is incoherent. Keywords: Moral relativism; moral absolutism; objectivity; tolerance; moral progress 2 The Incoherence of Moral Relativism Moral relativism is a meta-ethical theory according to which moral values and duties are relative to a culture and do not exist independently of a culture.
    [Show full text]
  • GALGAN, Gerald J., God and Subjectivity Roy Martinez
    Document generated on 09/30/2021 1:58 a.m. Laval théologique et philosophique GALGAN, Gerald J., God and Subjectivity Roy Martinez Volume 49, Number 1, février 1993 URI: https://id.erudit.org/iderudit/400749ar DOI: https://doi.org/10.7202/400749ar See table of contents Publisher(s) Faculté de philosophie, Université Laval ISSN 0023-9054 (print) 1703-8804 (digital) Explore this journal Cite this review Martinez, R. (1993). Review of [GALGAN, Gerald J., God and Subjectivity]. Laval théologique et philosophique, 49(1), 166–167. https://doi.org/10.7202/400749ar Tous droits réservés © Laval théologique et philosophique, Université Laval, This document is protected by copyright law. Use of the services of Érudit 1993 (including reproduction) is subject to its terms and conditions, which can be viewed online. https://apropos.erudit.org/en/users/policy-on-use/ This article is disseminated and preserved by Érudit. Érudit is a non-profit inter-university consortium of the Université de Montréal, Université Laval, and the Université du Québec à Montréal. Its mission is to promote and disseminate research. https://www.erudit.org/en/ COMPTES RENDUS observed. At the foundation of this study, and present This disparity between the existence of the "this" like a shadow throughout it, is the Platonic-Christian and the cognizing agent posed no problem for first view of time as an image of eternity, and of ourselves philosophy since 'the other", or object of cognition, as redeemed from time, and able in part to compre• was simply given, there for apprehension or obser• hend it, through being in the image of God.
    [Show full text]
  • Notes for Our Seminar: Objectivity and Subjectivity
    Notes for our seminar: Objectivity and Subjectivity B.M. December 14, 2019 Contents I A preview and overview of the topics we may cover 2 1 The nature of our seminar-course 3 II Readings and Notes for the sessions of Sept 11, Oct 2, Oct 30, and part of Dec 4 13 2 Readings for the September 11 session 13 2.1 Excerpt from [9] . 14 3 Some notes for Sep 11: Subjectivity, Universal Subjectivity, Objectivity 15 3.1 Objective . 16 4 Readings for October 2: 25 5 Notes for Oct 21 session: Objectivity and Subjectivity in Mathematics 36 5.1 What is the number `A thousand and one'?....................... 37 5.2 Plato ............................................ 38 5.3 `Tower Pound' definition ................................ 39 1 5.4 J.S. Mill .......................................... 39 5.5 Georg Cantor: ...................................... 40 5.6 Gottlob Frege (∼ 1900) ................................ 41 5.7 Foundations::: or Constitutions ............................. 43 5.8 David Hilbert ....................................... 43 5.9 L.E.J. Brouwer ...................................... 46 5.10 The simple phrase \and so on::: "............................ 48 6 Readings for October 30, 2019: (Shades of Objectivity and Subjectivity in Epistemology, Probability, and Physics) 50 7 Notes for October 30, 2019:(Shades of Objectivity and Subjectivity in Epistemology, Probability, and Physics) 51 8 Subjectivity and Objectivity in Statistics: `Educating your beliefs' versus `Test- ing your Hypotheses' 55 8.1 Predesignation versus the self-corrective nature of inductive reasoning . 57 8.2 Priors as `Meta-probabilities' . 59 8.3 Back to our three steps . 61 8.4 A numerical example and a question . 62 9 Issues of Subjectivity and Objectivity in Physics 63 10 Consequentialism of Meaning|notes for part of session of December 4 65 11 Dealing with nonexistent objects 69 2 Part I A preview and overview of the topics we may cover 1 The nature of our seminar-course Phil273O (Objectivity and Subjectivity) will be the fourth seminar- course I've taught with Amartya Sen and Eric Maskin.
    [Show full text]
  • The Education of the Categorical Imperative
    Stud Philos Educ (2006) 25:385–402 DOI 10.1007/s11217-006-9006-2 The education of the categorical imperative James Scott Johnston Received: 20 October 2005 / Accepted: 6 June 2006 Ó Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2006 Abstract In this article, I examine anew the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant and its contributions to educational theory. I make four claims. First, that Kant should be read as having the Categorical Imperative develop out of subjective maxims. Second, that moral self-perfection is the aim of moral education. Third, that moral self-perfection develops by children habituating the results of their moral maxims in scenarios and cases. Fourth, that character and culture, Kant’s highest aims for humanity, are the ultimate beneficiaries of this process. Keywords Kant Æ Moral education Æ Categorical Imperative Æ Self-perfection Æ Pedagogy Æ Character Decades have passed since Immanuel Kant has figured prominently in the dis- cipline of philosophy of education as practiced in the English-speaking world. To my mind the last article-length, sympathetic exposition of Kant’s contribution to the philosophy of education was Donald Butler’s Idealism in Education, and this was published in 1966. This state of affairs continues, despite the many criticisms of Kant extant in the disciplinary literature and the presence of much new scholarship on Kant, particularly in the areas of ethics, politics, and anthropology. German scholarship on Kant has long had Traugott Weisskopf’s Immanuel Kant und die Pa¨dagogik (1970) and more recently, Ju¨ rgen-Eckhardt Pleines’s edited volume, Kant und die Pa¨dagogik: Pa¨dagogik und Practische Philosophie (1999).
    [Show full text]
  • Subjectivity and Objectivity Intentional Inexistence and the Independence of the Mind Michael Oliva Córdoba University of Hamburg Version: Wednesday, 4 July 2018
    Subjectivity and objectivity Intentional inexistence and the independence of the mind Michael Oliva Córdoba University of Hamburg Version: Wednesday, 4 July 2018 Introduction Few distinctions in philosophy are as pervasive as the distinction between the subjective and the objective. Apparently, this distinction has less often been submitted to thorough examination than one would expect. Perhaps this is due to its diffcult nature. It might also be due to the uneasiness with which the subjective-objective distinction is brought to harmony with the received scientifc perspective on the world. Yet so deep entrenched in our conceptual scheme is this distinction that to cast light on it is a worthwhile undertaking even if that did not lead to a complete, convenient, or coherent conception. But there is no need for pessimism. A clear and viable reformulation of that venerable distinction seems possible. It would bring out its essence and at the same time it would exceed mere historical interest. This paper aims at such a reformulation. In what follows, I offer an explanation of the central idea of independence in terms of non-inference and causal non-determination. Also, I point to the essential intentionality of the subjective and stress the central feature of intentional inexistence. In the course of this I shall use the most limited means only. Thus I hope to lay bare what the subjective-objective distinction comes down to, and I hope to do so in a manner acceptable on all sides. I close with some indications as to what such a reformulation may have a bearing on.
    [Show full text]
  • Kantian Decision Making Under Uncertainty: Dignity, Price, And
    Philosophers’ volume 17, no. 7 Abstract Imprint april 2017 The idea that there is a fundamental difference in value between persons and things, and that respecting this difference is an impor- tant moral requirement, has strong intuitive appeal. Kantian ethics is unique in placing this requirement at the center of a moral system KANTIAN DECISION and in explicating the conditions for complying with it. Unlike chal- lenges to Kantian ethics that focus on tragic cases that pit respect for one person against respect for another, this paper focuses on the ques- tion of how we can respect the value distinction between persons and MAKING UNDER things under conditions of uncertainty. After exploring why decision making under uncertainty is a neglected topic among Kantians and demonstrating how uncertainty challenges our ability to comply with UNCERTAINTY: this norm, we propose a notion of morally insignificant risk within a framework that allows agents to navigate real-world decisions involv- ing material benefit and some risk to dignity without violating the DIGNITY, PRICE, Kantian’s core commitments. We conclude by exploring some of the challenges facing this approach. 1. Introduction AND CONSISTENCY There is something compelling in the idea that there is a fundamen- tal moral difference between persons and things, and that a significant portion of ethics is concerned with ensuring that our treatment of our- selves and others reflects this distinction. Kantian ethics places this Adam Bjorndahl, Alex John London, intuitively appealing idea at the center of its moral system. A common challenge to Kantian frameworks concerns how they deal with situa- Kevin J.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Absolutism, Utilitarianism, and Moral Military Decision Making. Kristine V
    University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014 1999 Absolutism, utilitarianism, and moral military decision making. Kristine V. Nakutis University of Massachusetts Amherst Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/theses Nakutis, Kristine V., "Absolutism, utilitarianism, and moral military decision making." (1999). Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014. 2554. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.umass.edu/theses/2554 This thesis is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014 by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSOLUTISM, UTILITARIANISM, AND MORAL MILITARY DECISION MAKING A Thesis Presented by KRISTINE V. NAKUTIS Submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts Amherst in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS September 1999 Philosophy - ABSOLUTISM, UTILITARIANISM, AND MORAL MILITARY DECISION MAKING A Thesis Presented by KRISTINE VARNUM NAKUTIS Approved as to style and content by: ^7 (— Fred Feldman, Chair i/eth B. Matthews, Member olftn G. Robison, Department Head department of Philosophy TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER Page 1. UTILITARIANISM AND WAR ... 1 Introduction... .. 1 Utilitarianism War ..2 ..5 U.S. Catholic Bishop View of War Combatants versus Non-Combatants 2. NAGEL’S ABSOLUTISM AND UTILITARIANISM Means and Ends 18 Straightforward Utilitarianism 20 What is Absolutism? 22 Technical Matters 26 Absolutist Restriction on Warfare 28 Class of Persons 28 Manner of Attack on Specific Classes of Persons 33 Utilitarianism and Absolutist Conflict 38 3. BRANDT’S RULE-UTILITARIANISM Nagel’s “Absolutism” 43 Morally Justifiable Rules 47 Utilitarian Rules 49 Rules Restricting Military Operations 52 Rules of War and Morality 60 4.
    [Show full text]