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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