Rationally Speaking Podcast Rationally Speaking #84 - Stephen Asma On the Myth of Universal Love
Apr 7, 2013
Join Stephen Asma, Professor of philosophy at Columbia College Chicago and author of "Against Fairness," as he dives into the pitfalls of the fairness concept. He argues for richer ethical frameworks, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and personal connections over utilitarianism. The conversation explores how empathy's biases shape our moral choices and examines the dual nature of tribalism in ethical responsibilities. Asma also discusses the emotional insights of Dr. Yak Panksepp, enhancing our understanding of the complex interplay between feelings and ethics.
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Fairness Critique
- Fairness, seemingly unquestionable, has conceptual flaws.
- It's often used vaguely and can be conceptually incoherent, distinct from justice.
Singer's Expanding Circle
- Peter Singer's "expanding circle" concept suggests maximizing happiness.
- It promotes ignoring preferential bias, applying universal ethical rules like in science.
Rifkin's Expanding Empathy
- Jeremy Rifkin suggests expanding empathy to encompass all beings.
- Asma argues this misunderstands empathy's emotional, limited nature.
