This is discussion #8 of 8 and is worth 7 points
THIS DISCUSSION WILL “CLOSE FOR COMMENTS” ON THE DAY OF THE FINAL EXAM.
Topic: moral principles and their use in a moral argument.
First: state one moral principle (you can find a number of them in this chapter) and then identify a counterexample that gives us reason to reject the principle. Propose an alternative principle that you think is less vulnerable to counterexamples. As an added challenge, explain how your alternative principle can be used in an argument (try composing an argument).
Second: comment on some one else’s post by identifying a counterexample to their proposed alternative moral principle.
For example, the principle that “any action that is unnatural is morally wrong” has many obvious counterexamples: wearing contact lenses, driving a car, and skydiving are all unnatural acts but are not morally wrong. Perhaps a better alternative principle is “any action that hurts another person is morally wrong.” But even this principle may need to be refined in order to avoid counterexamples (e.g., boxing, dentistry, and criticism can hurt but they are not morally wrong). A refinement could be the principle that “any action that produces unwanted or unnecessary harm is morally wrong.” Here is an argument that uses this principle:
1. Any action that produces unwanted or unnecessary harm is morally wrong.
2. Corporal discipline of children produces unnecessary harm (e.g., long term psychological harm).
Therefore, corporal discipline of children is morally wrong.
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