Fresh AiR

Free Will Having discussed moral theories at length over the past few weeks we chosen (seemingly) to do a post on free will, and are determined to work out if it truly exists or not, as well as the impact it has on morality. Our Discussion on Free Well includes (but is not limited to):...

Read More “Free Will – Fresh AiR – S02:E03” »

Nietzsche’s Critique of Morality To finish our conversations walking through the various moral theories in the last 11 chapters, we felt we should provide Nietzsche’s Critique of Morality, largely from his book ‘On the Genealogy of Morality‘ We Discuss: Morality through power struggle. Whether different types of people need different standards of morality. If suffering...

Read More “Nietzsche’s Critique – Fresh AiR – S02:E02:C12” »

Tonight we embark on our last chapter of specific moral theories and our penultimate chapter of episode 2. Moral Subjectivism and Relativism We discuss a number of topics around subjective and relative morality. What these terms actually mean. What it would mean if morality was wholly subjective or wholly relative. Common misconceptions folks have about...

Read More “Moral Subjectivism and Relativism – Fresh AiR – S02:E02:C11” »

What is Virtue Ethics? Tonight we discuss virtue ethics, covering topics like: What is a virtue? Which virtue is the most important? How do we apply virtues? If you apply one virtue too much, e.g. bravery, are you still brave, or do you become stupid? And of course we segue into a number of topics...

Read More “Virtue Ethics – Fresh AiR – S02:E02:C10” »

What is Divine Command Theory? This is generally applied to the Abrahamic god speaking of Judeo-Christian morality but could technically be applied to any set of rules or morals that come from a Divine being. One of the key problems with DCT is that for it to be valid we need to prove that deity...

Read More “Divine Command Theory – Fresh AiR – S02:E02:C09” »

What is Rule Utilitarianism? Rule Utilitarianism is just like Act Utilitarianism but with a twist. It is deontological. That means that following the rules are what is important regardless of the consequences. So why is a typically consequentialist brand, utilitarianism, under the banner of deontology? How does that work? What are the differences? Find Out,...

Read More “Rule Utilitarianism – Fresh AiR – S02:E02:C08” »

What is Kantianism? Kantianism or Kantian Ethics is the moral theory coined by Immanuel Kant. It is our first deontological moral theory, but it is not absolutely deontological as it builds its rules based on absolute consequences. e.g. if everyone stole from everyone, if everyone lied all the time, if everyone killed, if everyone raped...

Read More “Kantianism – Fresh AiR – S02:E02:C07” »

What is Welfarism? Welfarism is our next consequentialist moral theory, following on from last week’s Preference Satisfaction Utilitarianism. Welfarism is our last consequentialist moral theory in the series, but how does it differ from the others? What are its strengths and weaknesses? What else do we need to know about it? Find out tonight on...

Read More “Welfarism – Fresh AiR – S02:E02:C06” »

Preference Satisfaction Utilitarianism Our next moral theory is Preference Satisfaction Utilitarianism, which is also a consequentialist moral theory. It is similar to Act utilitarianism but holds a few differences as well, and is a much newer theory. What is Preference Satisfaction Utilitarianism? How does it differ to Act Utilitarianism? What are the problems it has?...

Read More “Preference Satisfaction Utilitarianism – Fresh AiR – S02:E02:C05” »

Act Utilitarianism Act Utilitarianism is our next adventure in moral theories. In some respects it is like a form of hedonism (which we discussed last week) but holds some differences too. Further ReadingStanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: ‘The History of Utilitarianism’Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: ‘Mill’s Moral and Political Philosophy’Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: ‘Act and Rule Utilitarianism’Mill,...

Read More “Act Utilitarianism – Fresh AiR – S02:E02:C04” »