Human Values

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Human Values

• Humanities 02
• Thinking Critical About Ethical Issues

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Chapter TwoThe Role of the Majority View

• Is the basis for deciding moral values the
  majority view? In other words If the majority
  of citizens decided that a particular action is
  right would that make it right?
• There is no magic in majorities!
• If you choose a particular majority or group to
  decide on a particular subject
• Some would be well informed
• Others would be completely uninformed and unaware
• Between these two would be the larger group
  partly informed partly ignorant perceptive,
  confused or mistaken.

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The appearance of Authoritativeness and Wisdom

• The conversion of assorted individual views in a
  single statistic creates an appearance of
  authoritativeness and wisdom Appearances can be
  deceiving.
• Yet in ethical judgment, where there is a
  singular potential for irrational reaction and
  even self-deception, it is especially important
  to avoid slavishly following the majority view.

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There is no magic in majority

• History reveals outrageous deeds supported by the
  majority.
• The majority view may be the only one a
  democratic society can follow in its procedures
  of a representative government.
• We should give careful consideration but resist
  the temptation to accept the majority view
  uncritically.
• We should examine the issue for ourselves and
  embrace the most reasonable view.
• In some cases that will be the majority view in
  others, it will not.