The history of moral philosophy in the West hinges principally on a handful of questions: Is there a God of some sort? An afterlife? Free will? And, perhaps most pressingly for humanists, what exactly is the nature of our obligations to others? The latter question has long occupied philosophers like Immanuel Kant, whose extreme formulation—the “categorical imperative”—flatly rules out making ethical decisions dependent upon particular situations. Kant’s famous example, one that generally gets repeated with a nod to Godwin, involves an axe murderer showing up at your door and asking for the whereabouts of a visiting friend. In Kant’s estimation, telling a lie in this case justifies telling a lie at any time, for any reason. Therefore, it is unethical.
In the video at the top of the post, Harry Shearer narrates a script about Kant’s maxim written by philosopher Nigel Warburton, with whimsical illustrations provided by Cognitive. Part of the BBC and Open University’s “A History of Ideas” series, the video—one of four dealing with moral philosophy—also explains how Kant’s approach to ethics differs from those of utilitarianism.
In the video above, Shearer describes that most utilitarian of thought experiments, the “Trolley Problem.” As described by philosopher Philippa Foot, this scenario imagines having to sacrifice the life of one for those of many. But there is a twist—the second version, which involves the added crime of physically murdering one person, up close and personal, to save several. An analogous but converse theory is that of Princeton philosopher Peter Singer (below) who proposes that our obligations to people in peril right in front of us equal our obligations to those on the other side of the world.
Finally, the last video surveys one of the thorniest issues in moral philosophical history—the “is/ought” divide, as problematic as the ancient Euthyphro dilemma. How, asked David Hume, are we to deduce moral principles from facts about the world that have no moral dimension? Particularly when those facts are never conclusive, are subject to revision, and when new ones get uncovered all the time? The question introduces a seemingly unbridgeable chasm between facts and values. Moral judgments founded on what is or isn’t “natural” flounder before our terror of much of what nature does, and the very partial and fallible nature of our knowledge of it.
The problem is as startling as Hume’s critique of causality, and in part caused Kant to remark that Hume had awakened him from a “dogmatic slumber.” What may strike viewers of the series is just how abstract these questions and examples are—how divorced from the messiness of real world politics, with the exception, perhaps, of Peter Singer. It may be instructive that political philosophy forms a separate branch in the West. While these problems are certainly difficult enough to trouble the sleep of just about any thoughtful person, in our day-to-day lives, our decision making process seems to be much messier, and much more situational, than we’re probably ever aware of.
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Thos animations are really nice to make us think a little about our lives.
Those*
After seeing these overly simplistic examples I can’t have much faith in philosophy. People are not rational and they don’t have free will so all the talk about choice is wasted effort.
You give up on an entire pursuit of study because you weren’t thoroughly educated by a minute and a half overview summary of a piece of a philosophical debate?
Sounds PERFECTLY rational ;-)
Nice videos to start a discussion. As to the first video I would also suggest; don’t cooperate with evil, especially if cooperating will cause another harm. Better to not say anything, shut the door and warn your friend, get a gun and defend yourself and your friend. Be willing to put yourself in harm’s way to save a friend. You noticed, I didn’t lie.
Second video; Do the best you can. Take positive action to save as many as possible. Enlist help from others nearby. Switch the tracks, save the 5 and warn the one. Throw something on the tracks to slow the train down but not your friend. That would be murder since there is no hope of survival as there would be should you switch the tracks and warn the one. Be willing to get in harms way to save another.
Third video; we as individuals can’t save the whole world but each person can do their part to improve the world one life at a time. There is more benefit to personal giving than impersonal giving such as government programs funded through taxes. We should personally seek to be prosperous so we can give more to relieve pain and suffering as well as teach others to become prosperous. Teaching everyone a philosophy of prosperity and giving will do more to relieve pain and suffering in the world vs. the typical government program which tends to create another class of dependent poor who can’t live without a handout. Of course, if you are the poor then any help is better than none. I’m just saying, I believe there is a better way.
The “is/ought” video should be simple for the atheist as well as the God believing. From either perspective, if we draw our values from what is or what was, we will fail to properly consider what could or should be. By evaluating our current state, reviewing the pros and cons, we can then form in our minds a better state to become our target for change. Reaching out and connecting with others is a creative act that will cause us to prosper as individuals and/or a race of beings. If you don’t set a target for a better life or world, you will live an aimless life devoid of real meaning. You will end up negatively impacting progress much like adding 1,000 lbs. of rock to a truck load of grain needlessly slows the truck down and hurts the markets ability to meet society’s needs. And if you’re not prosperous enough to save a tribe somewhere, try picking a charity with a clear purpose you can believe in and give $5. In many countries, $5 can save a life. Now wouldn’t that make your day?
It seems as If everybody is concerned about saving other people, but as always they forgetting a very important fact: human specie are the most destructive beings over the earth, therefore if you save a human life, Are you really making good?
This helps to think more deeply about life and decisions we make
It helps to think more easily and deeply about decisions awe make apart from it it helps to make easy decisions
It helps to think more easily and deeply about decisions awe make apart from it it helps to make easy decisions there is a lot oh differences between ethical and moral decisions ethical decisions are related to self satisfaction and moral decisions also includes thinking of other people
These animations are good, better way to learn and understand the topic better. these videos questioning our choices and somewhere effecting the thinking about the decisions that we are going to make in upcoming times.
These animations are quite helpful in order to learn deep about topic even it helps to improve the thinking of a person
These animations are good enough to think one’s again in topic for better understanding and make better decisions . Instead of reading this is easy way to learn
I think this is the best way to understand the topic and to make decision which would be better for us.
A valuable and practical resource for developing a deeper knowledge of ethical principles is the ethics animation narrated by Harry Shearer. It gives a fun and insightful way to investigate difficult philosophical concepts concerning right and wrong. Enjoy the process of learning, and don’t forget to incorporate these revelations into your own ethical considerations and decision-making.
A valuable and practical resource for developing a deeper knowledge of ethical principles is the ethics animation narrated by Harry Shearer. It gives a fun and insightful way to investigate difficult philosophical concepts concerning right and wrong. We have to Enjoy the process of learning, and don’t forget to incorporate these revelations into your own ethical considerations and decision-making.
An individual can learn a lot about the issue and improve their ability to think effectively by using these animations.
These animations are super helpful for deep understanding of the topic . Instead of reading this is easiest and the best way to learn.
Apart from that, it facilitates easier decision-making and allows us to reflect on our choices more readily and thoroughly.
Moral philosophy indeed provides a rich exploration of ethical frameworks, and concepts like the categorical imperative and utilitarianism offer diverse perspectives on morality.
With the animations a student can learn more about the subject as compare to lectures because it can relate with our lives as well as our daily activities so this is one of the best way to teach
A valuable and practical resource for developing a deeper knowledge of ethical principles is the ethics animation narrated by Harry Shearer .The ethics animation narrated by Harry Shearer is an excellent and useful resource for gaining a better knowledge of ethical concepts.
A valuable and practical resource for developing a deeper knowledge of ethical principles is the ethics animation narrated by Harry Shearer. the animations were really good, all the concepts can be understood easily.
images and animations are good ways to teach students
It makes it easier to think deeply about our choices, helping with both simple and complex decisions. Ethical decisions are about personal satisfaction, while moral decisions involve thinking about others.
animations are better way to not miss any information studied in the class
In my perspective that if we lie for someone’s good it’s not considered as a lie as we are protecting that person from evil things. To save majority is not but it’s also not good not to do anything for minority and should go our best to get the solution and save humanity.
With the help of animal students can learn more and easily .Animations grab the attention of the stude.
Animations plays a very significant role in our life . It grab the attention of children and they want to learn more with the help of animation because it is the easy and best way to learn.
Animations help us to thik deeply about the things and also help in making decisions which are good enough for us.
Showing images are better method for the student through images student can learn more easliy
Animation are good for better undestanding. Then reading the whole paragraph . Images are more easy to uderdtand
Animations are effective for enhancing understanding because they provide visual representations that are often easier to comprehend than reading a full paragraph. Images convey information more clearly and quickly.
Animation is very easy to understand. It make topic very clear and interesting.
Animation is very easy to understand. It make topic very clear and interesting. Also it is very flexible and replay my time
This animated video is very valuable and easy to grab the knowledge and helped me to critically think before doing anything.
Animation is in a such way that make it to understand probably. It makes easy to imagine.
This animation video is easy to understand.
Animation video is very beneficial. .As it helps me to understand and grab my interest .
These animations are very helpful to understand the topic.
These animations are very helpful to understand the topic, It makes easy to imagine.
It helps to think more easily and deeply about decisions awe make apart from it it helps to make easy decisions.
These animations are really useful for understanding the topic and make it easier to visualize.
This animations are useful for understanding the topic and make it easier to visualise.
These animations are very helpful to understand the topic ‚it makes easy to understand and imagine.
This animated video is very beneficial and easy to grab the knowledge and help with my critical thinking.
Animations helps to simplify complicated ideas by showing information in a clear and quicker way than language.
This animation is very useful an easy to understand . It give more clear information than text
It helps me to enhance my critical thinking skills which is clear cut information in the animation.
It helps me to enhance my critical thinking skills. And also easy to understand in easy way.