Empiricism, Moral Philosophy, and Ethical Behavior

I argue in this paper that moral philosophers need to incorporate into their teaching and writing a number of empirical findings on ethical practices. Principal among these is clearer guidelines on speaking out against wrongdoing, as well as the development of codes of ethics that have been proven to work. The adoption of the critical thinking and the analytical methodology of other disciplines is also suggested. Several benefits will result. The most noticeable will be a strengthening of ethical practices and behavior in the institutions and organizations with which we live and work. A second benefit will be the education and employment of a body of people--graduates in moral philosophy--with the skills and knowledge to bring about, and further strengthen, this enhanced ethical environment. A third benefit will be the matching of the claims of philosophical thought with actual reality.

From Ethics Washing to Ethics Bashing:A Moral Philosophy View on Tech Ethics

Weaponized in support of deregulation and self-regulation,“ethics”is increasingly identified with technology companies’self-regulatory efforts and with shallow appearances of ethical behavior.So-called“ethics washing”by tech companies is on the rise,prompting criticism and scrutiny from scholars and the tech community.The author defines“ethics bashing”as the parallel tendency to trivialize ethics and moral philosophy.Underlying these two attitudes are a few misunderstandings:(1)philosophy is understood in opposition and as alternative to law,political representation,and social organizing;(2)philosophy and“ethics”are perceived as formalistic,vulnerable to instrumentalization,and ontologically flawed;and(3)moral reasoning is portrayed as mere“ivory tower”intellectualization of complex problems that need to be dealt with through other methodologies.This article argues that the rhetoric of ethics and morality should not be reductively instrumentalized,either by the industry in the form of“ethics washing”,or by scholars and policy-makers in the form of“ethics bashing”.Grappling with the role of philosophy and ethics requires moving beyond simplification and seeing ethics as a mode of inquiry that facilitates the evaluation of competing tech policy strategies.We must resist reducing moral philosophy’s role and instead must celebrate its special worth as a mode of knowledge-seeking and inquiry.Far from mandating self-regulation,moral philosophy facilitates the scrutiny of various modes of regulation,situating them in legal,political,and economic contexts.Moral philosophy indeed can explainin the relationship between technology and other worthy goals and can situate technology within the human,the social,and the political.

Contradictory Freedoms？ Kant on Moral Agency and Political Rights

This essay examines the degree to which Kant＇s understanding of external freedom and right are consistent with and can form a part of his moral philosophy. In doing so, this essay begins by looking at the foundation and possibility of moral experience as it is presented in the Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. This essay then turns to explore Kant＇s understanding of external freedom and right as set out in The Metaphysics of Morals and examines the apparent inconsistencies that exist between these concepts and Kant＇s explication of moral worth. After pointing out the distinction between right and morality, this essay goes on to argue that, strictly speaking, Kant＇s conception of external freedom and right cannot form part of his moral philosophy （as so defined in the Groundwork）. Finally, this essay concludes by arguing that although right and morality are irreconcilable, Kant＇s account of external freedom and right can nevertheless serve as part of his ＂moral＂ philosophy insofar as these concepts represent Kant＇s attempt to externalize the moral law, or simply expand the definition of morality to cover any action that accords with the right.

Food Choices, Morality, and the Role of Environmental Ethics

In the present article we analyze the ethical dimensions of the issue of human nutrition.Three axes which relate our human diet and food to the moral philosophy,namely the killing of living organisms,overpopulation,and genetically modified products respectively,will be analyzed.Finally,we will refer to the philosophy of Deep Ecology and the possible answers it gives to the moral dilemmas we face.

Moral Falsity in the Eyes of the Superhuman： The Cases of Socrates and Mozi1

Both Socrates and Mozi are said in Plato＇s dialogues and in the Mozi respectively to have claimed that they are living a sort of life following superhuman ＂intention＂： Socrates according to the Delphic oracle, and Mozi the intention of heaven. Some modern philosophers show discomfort with their ＂superstitious＂ attitudes, taking the claims literally as a kind of groundless devotion, while others conjecture ＂sensible＂ purposes to understand the mystic elements as providing moral lessons. This paper, by responding to these modern revisions of their doctrines, aims at highlighting the necessity of their （re-）introductions of superhuman perspectives to their inquiries. Through examining the similarities in Plato＇s and Mohists＇ demonstrations, the suggestion made will be that despite countless incommensurable features, heaven＇s intention for Mohists offers a fundamental philosophical basis which enables them to develop arguments by means of sharp dichotomies, what is right or wrong, in the same way that Socrates in the Apology and in the Hippias Minor does for the development of Plato＇s constructive endeavour beyond his Socratic a/euporetic legacy. Not only are their practices dependent on the presupposition of the existence of a perspective beyond humans, but also the reality of that perspective is established though their own investigative practices.

A Human Right to Internet Access： A Gewirthian Approach

The paper aims at exploring if we have sound philosophical reason to embrace a human right to Internet access. While attempts to make Internet access a candidate for the standing of human right have become popular in both the political and legal arenas, we still lack serious philosophical reflection on this issue. The paper first evaluates the arguments made by various authors, and then moves to provide its own conclusions. Its logic is that if （i） Internet access is crucial for enabling democracy, and （ii） democracy is a basic human right, then we may have at least prima facie reason to see such a technology as a derived human right whose normativity supervenes on the right to democracy.

Is There an Identity Crisis in Environmental Ethics？

Environmental ethics is both a moral philosophy and an applied ethics. This duality has led some people to feel confused about environmental ethics＇ identity and to cast doubts on its legitimacy. This paper, by distinguishing and exploding environmental ethics＇ two patterns of inquiry （the moral philosophy pattern and the applied ethics pattern） and their characteristics, tries to resolve the discipline＇s identity crisis and to argue for its legitimacy.

Adomo＇s View of Life

The aim of this article is to reflect on the dialectic of the individual＇s life and death in terms of Adorno＇s moral philosophy, specifically through a thorough reading of his Negative Dialectics and other key works on the subject. I hold that there are two aspects of the dialectic of life within the context of Adorno＇s nonidentityOne involves exploring the false identification, due to the reification of modem society, of the individual＇s life experience with her or his death experience, while the other involves preserving the dialectical and irreducible tension between the theoretical contemplation of life and of historical conditions, as well as specific social systems. Heidegger＇s ontological philosophy concerning Dasein and Kant＇s categorical imperative will also be discussed in order to fully understand Adorno＇s moral philosophy and his idea of nonidentity. From my point of view, Adomo＇s moral philosophy is the prime motivator of his unique concept of nonidentity, and has influenced contemporary political philosophical concepts such as biopolitics （cf. G. Agamben）.