Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id AAA07131 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Thu, 28 Feb 2002 00:12:03 GMT X-Originating-IP: [209.240.222.132] From: "Scott Chase" <ecphoric@hotmail.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: quotes that can Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 19:06:41 -0500 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: <F3119HLPVHo3ZD1xQTa000103f3@hotmail.com> X-OriginalArrivalTime: 28 Feb 2002 00:06:41.0125 (UTC) FILETIME=[CC70D150:01C1BFEB] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>From: "Wade T.Smith" <wade_smith@harvard.edu>
>Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>To: "memetics list" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
>Subject: quotes that can
>Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 08:39:47 -0500
>
>In my emailbox this morning-
>
>"So act that your principle of action might safely be made a law for the
>whole world." -Immanuel Kant, philosopher (1724-1804)
>
As the categorical imperative, doesn't that morsel of wisdom get into hairy
situations when applying it to all sorts of stituations? The typical
casuistric retort would be whether to lie to Nazis knocking at the front
door if you are harboring Jews in your basement. Would you want the act of
lying to become a law for the world? Yet would you say that your friends are
hiding in the basement?
There's the difference between acting on principles and considering
consequences. What if by acting on general principle one inadvertantly sets
the stage for the greatest evil on Earth?
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