cher@ihlpm.UUCP (cherepov) (06/20/85)
-- In my previous article about self-consistency as common denominator for evaluation of morals (which undoubtedly all of you memorized), I was putting such a high value on that self-consistency that it might appear to be yet another sacred cow that it's proponent (myself) fails to acknowledge. I found that thought to be a little disturbing cloud in otherwise complete, harmonious, most self-consistently correct, and otherwise blue sky of my world outlook. The main problem is that all views of morals that I am aware of treat self-contradictions as undesirable pests and try to resolve and rationalize them out. They don't have to. Self-contradiction can be declared a virtue. Of course, that would invite some problems. I guess, I would be interested to hear what others think about it: was that possibility explored by any big-name people, did such philosophy ever exist, comments, etc. Mike Cherepov Oh, if only babbling could cure diarrhea!
tonyw@ubvax.UUCP (Tony Wuersch) (06/24/85)
In article <301@ihlpm.UUCP>, cher@ihlpm.UUCP (cherepov) writes: > -- > The main problem is that all views of morals that I am aware of > treat self-contradictions as undesirable pests and try to > resolve and rationalize them out. > They don't have to. Self-contradiction can be declared a virtue. > Of course, that would invite some problems. > > I guess, I would be interested to hear what others think about it: > was that possibility explored by any big-name people, > did such philosophy ever exist, comments, etc. Moral philosophy is in a time of big changes, where a lot of old Kantian rational dogma is getting thrown out and being replaced by Aristotle brought up-to-date. Most Kantian-type philosophers don't even think self-contradiction is possible. But Aristotle and modern writers in moral philosophy and rational choice theory discuss the problem of *akrasia*, or weakness of will, a lot. Jon Elster's *Ulysses and the Sirens* comes up with lots of times when one's own self-contradictoryness should be taken-into-account in decisions. There's also some discussion of the lack of a problem in self-contradiction in Bernard Williams' book, *Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy*. Many people who contradict themselves are more adaptable, too. Tony Wuersch {amd,amdcad}!cae780!ubvax!tonyw