Philosophy Now Forum

Peter Lloyd savages the “continental” approach to moral philosophy.

https://philosophynow.org/issues/15/The ... _Certainty

I think the article by Loyd seems to skip the point that "objective ethics" also include democracy, the truth in everyone...

It should also be mentioned that "objective ethics" is one of counsel and not a whack with the authoritarian axe!

From the article:
https://philosophynow.org/issues/15/The ... _Certainty

“History overflows with misery inflicted by well-intentioned people who were convinced that they had seen the only true moral values, and who sought to convert or destroy those who would not agree.”



- This quotation simply indicates that not all factors have been considered in identifying what causes a person to seek to destroy or convert others.

- Remember that correlation is not causation.

- It would be an error to conclude that certainty causes a person to seek to convert and destroy.

- Although people who are certain do destroy and convert, and although certainty is required to convert and destroy those who would not agree, this does not mean that certitude leads to the acts of converting others, or to acts of destroying others.



- Certainty cannot be the cause of seeking to convert, and seeking to destroy.

- The reason certainty cannot be the cause is easily understood through the following example:

- Pacifists and those who follow ahimsa must be quite certain about what they do, probably much more than other people who are not pacifists.

- In fact, a high degree of certainty is the catalyst that transforms the principles of pacifism and ahimsa into the phenomenal world of purposeful doing, and purposeful not-doing.

Walker wrote:From the article:
https://philosophynow.org/issues/15/The ... _Certainty

“History overflows with misery inflicted by well-intentioned people who were convinced that they had seen the only true moral values, and who sought to convert or destroy those who would not agree.”

- This quotation simply indicates that not all factors have been considered in identifying what causes a person to seek to destroy or convert others.

- Remember that correlation is not causation.

- It would be an error to conclude that certainty causes a person to seek to convert and destroy.

An excellent point, and one that the author surely should have considered. Well said.

Certainty that, for example, everyone has a right to freedom of conscience has never, so far as we know, produced any violence at all; and it likely never will. Certainty about the right to an education is not, so far as we know, killing anyone right now. Certainty about pacifism is definitely not responsible for causing wars, and certain conviction about freedom of speech is not "destroying or converting" anyone (except, perhaps, converting by reasonable persuasion).

Certainty's not the problem. Even moral certainty isn't the problem. It's WHAT people are being certain about that makes the difference.

You'd think that would be obvious; but it's amazing how many people don't get it.