[lit-ideas] Re: On being called a Lyre [dilemmas]

On Mon, Sep 22, 2008 at 9:52 PM, Donal McEvoy <donalmcevoyuk@xxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

>
> Ethics is not a field for idle speculation but for understanding the
> complexities of practical moral problems, which a little thought often shows
> raise complex dilemmas - what 'ethics' can teach is to be better attuned to
> these difficulties and not ride on our moral high horse roughshod over them.
>
>
>

One can, as I do, agree with proposition that we should try to behave in
accord with what we take to be universal principles (my crude extrapolation
from Scripture, Kant and Rawls). We must always remember, however, that
all-other-things-being-equal is never, ever the case.

One of the best things I've learned from lit-ideas is John Wager's
observation that without ambiguity moral dilemmas don't exist. If everything
were black and white, we would know automatically what to do.


John


-- 
John McCreery
The Word Works, Ltd., Yokohama, JAPAN
Tel. +81-45-314-9324
http://www.wordworks.jp/

Other related posts: