The difference between a groove and a rut is the depth, this particularly
applies to the mind. Keep examining your premises.
rgds John
Michael Peckitt wrote:
> To all
>
> I have mixed thoughts on Peter Singer.
>
> Firstly, his writing does seem to be arrogant and definitely dangerous. But
> that, to me is not really enough to condemn him. Moral philosopher, and
> philosophers in general do not (i hope) construct theories merely because
> they can or because they look nice like a painting by Monet. There is
> usually belief in what they are doing. I do not like his theory what so
> ever.
>
> Secondly, I do put some stock in someone who said or at least reported that
> he is condemned for being to successful and controversial. Is Helga Kuhse
> who co-authored "Should the Baby live" greeted with the same welcome
> wherever she goes. Kuhse and Singer are both at Melbourne - Singer now at
> Princeton of course, was he greeted with hostlity there? Would have been
> greeted with the same welcome had he taken a place in say, Edinburgh,
> Britain. But I digress.
>
> Thirdly and personaly, I don't like his justification for nearly all his
> theories - Utilitarianism - greates happiness to the greatest number. That
> is shakey ground to me. Something is not Good merely because it benefits
> and Evil if id does not. No one asked for his theory. I personaly prefer
> Intuitionism or Virtue theory - Intuitionism is similar to his justification
> but stresses good and sometimes Obligation instead of benefit and utility.
>
> However, before we condemn Singer philosophically there is a problem. That
> little thing could freedom of speech, what of it's conceits. Also Ethics
> and philosophy is about discussion and points of views to find an answer.
> Euthanasia is a big subject and like any subject there are many viewpoints,
> you can't sweep the message or the speaker, or indeed the subject under the
> carpet merely because you don't like it. This is of course, hard to say
> when we deal with Euthanasia as in "real life" and not a philosophical
> debate. My view on that I save for another time. I disagree with the
> theory, I do not necessay hate the man.
>
> Excuse the sermon.
>
> Michael Peckitt
>
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