Philosophy Wire: Bill Gates, ethics and free will…

Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2012-01-27]: Bill Gates Foundation offered 750 million dollars for the aid of Africa [source: web news]. Many people hate Bill Gates and will respond with “arguments” like “So what? He stole the money anyway. He is rich and rich people are bad by definition”… However the opposite is true: poor people are most of the times good because they are forced to be good. And when they gain money or power they become bad. Bill did not owe anyone that money… Being good out of your own free will is always better than being good because you have to…

 

Related article: The Source of Ethics

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Philosophy Wire: Do the “bad” thing, to do good (?)

Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos

[2011-11-02]: You may sometimes be required to do something that may temporarily look as “bad”, in order to reach something “good” (and sometimes, maybe, not to bankrupt). But where are the limits drawn? Greece 2011… Wake up!!!

 

 

 

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Philosophy Wire: Japan, nuclear threat and the sense of duty in the face of death

Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2011-03-16]: When all people are removed from the vicinity of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, 180 people remain there [source: CNN Edition web news]. They are people who work at the factory so as to prevent the meltdown of the core even at the last moment, although the risk to receive high doses or fatal radiation is growing. What makes these people stay? What creates in them this sense of duty? It is the duty of Kant or something "higher" that steers them? (see The Source of Ethics article) Or is it just selfishness covered up: they choose sacrificed for the survival of their children and the survival of their genes? Honestly, which of the two theories looks more ... stupid at first glance?

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