The maxim would have to be properly formulated before we could
meaningfully
test
for universalizability. If all non-obese, non-diabetic persons were to eat
these burgerdonuts in moderation, the maxim would appear to be
universalizable
and hence permissible. If all obese and/or diabetic persons were to eat
them
beyond what prudence and temperance would prescribe, there would
eventually be
no obese and/or diabetic persons around to eat them. Self-contradictory
maxims
are not universalizable. Hence, this class of persons has an obligation
not to
indulge to such an extent.
Of course, from a Darwinian perspective, the gene pool would be much
better off
without such persons and so from that perspective, that class of persons
"should" eat them to their heart's content. (This reasoning seems somewhat
akin
to the Romans' claim that slaves were not fully human since they would
rather
live as slaves than commit suicide. Only less than fully humans would make
such
a choice. Hence, the conclusion follows inexorably.)
A more general ethical and political question this issue raises is whether
the
liberal state has a right (obligation?) to prevent people from knowingly
inflicting harm upon themselves. Is negative freedom really all that a
liberal
state should be guided by in legislating law? Or is the establishment and
enforcement of conditions required for a virtuous, healthy and prosperous
life
also within the legitimate mandate of the state? When, for example, is the
state
justified in implementing coercive restraint upon the addicted gambler,
the
alcoholic, the inveterate donutburger consumer, the obese, the medically
noncompliant diabetic, the fundamentalist parent who refuses to grant
permission for her son's participation in classes on permissive sex
education
that contradict religious precepts, the addicted smoker, etc.. At what
point is
the state's obligation to ensure the common good trumped by the
individual's
rights over her own mind and body? Or is it that none of us ultimately
possess
full ownership rights over our own lives?
Walter O
MUN
Quoting John McCreery <john.mccreery@xxxxxxxxx>:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjaNYbPEydw
Would eating these be immoral? What do our ethics professors say?
John
--
John McCreery
The Word Works, Ltd., Yokohama, JAPAN
Tel. +81-45-314-9324
jlm@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.wordworks.jp/
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