Tommy Curry, a professor focused on Africana philosophy, Michael Huemer, an advocate for philosophical anarchism, and Melis Erdur, an expert in metaethics, engage in a riveting debate on morality's true nature. They explore whether morality is an objective truth or a tool for the powerful. The discussion unfolds around the connection between moral frameworks and power dynamics, the complexity of moral reasoning, and the subjective nature of ethical beliefs, ultimately igniting critical questions about how we perceive morality in society.
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insights INSIGHT
Morality and Power
Morality in philosophy often serves those in power.
"Goods" often preserve existing social structures and power dynamics, not universal truths.
insights INSIGHT
Objective Morality
Objective moral truths exist, like not torturing babies for fun.
Even if a society approves of it, it remains wrong, independent of attitudes.
insights INSIGHT
Objective Morality's Problem
Objective morality is problematic because it could justify anything.
If moral truths are independent of our beliefs, they might contradict our values.
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In 'Discourse on Colonialism,' Aimé Césaire critiques the notion that colonialism was a civilizing mission. He argues that colonialism was inherently self-serving and economically exploitative, leading to the dehumanization of the colonized and the moral decay of the colonizers. Césaire emphasizes the hypocrisy of colonialism, pointing out that colonizers, in their actions, became the very 'savages' they claimed to civilize. He also draws parallels between colonial violence and the atrocities of Nazism, highlighting how colonial procedures were applied to non-European populations before being inflicted on Europeans. The essay is a foundational text of postcolonial literature and critiques the capitalist and racist underpinnings of colonialism[1][3][4].
The decline of the West
Oswald Spengler
The man-not
The man-not
Race, Class, Genre, and the Dilemmas of Black Manhood
Tommy J. Curry
Tommy J. Curry's "The Man-Not" delves into the complexities of Black masculinity in the context of race, class, and genre. The book challenges traditional notions of manhood and explores the unique experiences and challenges faced by Black men in a society shaped by systemic racism and inequality. Curry's analysis draws on philosophical perspectives and critical race theory to offer a nuanced understanding of Black male identity. He examines the ways in which societal expectations and stereotypes impact Black men's lives and relationships. The book is a significant contribution to the ongoing conversation about race, gender, and identity.
ETHICAL INTUITIONISM
Michael Huemer
Discourse on the Arts and Sciences
A Discourse on the Moral Effects of the Arts and Sciences
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
In this essay, Rousseau responds to the question posed by the Academy of Dijon: 'Has the restoration of the sciences and arts contributed to the purification of morals?' He argues that the advancement of the arts and sciences has a corrosive effect on human morality, leading to the degradation of natural virtues and the introduction of vices such as luxury and inequality. Rousseau posits that human beings are naturally good but are corrupted by the influences of civilization and the arts. The work is significant as it sets the stage for his later philosophical writings, including the 'Discourse on Inequality' and 'The Social Contract'[1][3][5]
Morality and prejudice
Is there such a thing as morality? And, if so, can we know what it is and act on it? Or is morality rather a shield for the powerful and a defence of their interest? The answer may have life-changing consequences...
Join a heated debate between three philosophers with three different perspectives on the meaning of morality and the role it should play in our lives: Tommy Curry, Chair of Africana philosophy at Edinburgh and a moral sceptic; Michael Huemer, Professor of Philosophy at Boulder and a moral realist; and Melis Erdur, Professor at the Open University of Israel and representing a compromise between realism and scepticism on morality. The debate is inconclusive, but opens important questions on how we should relate to morality and ethics.
Philosophy For Our Times 
