T. M. Scanlon, a renowned moral philosopher and former Harvard professor, dives deep into the essence of our moral obligations. He discusses how to navigate moral dilemmas using contractualism and the importance of justifying our ethical decisions. Scanlon also explores the often-overlooked question of free will, arguing it's less critical than commonly believed. The conversation further addresses the balance of self-interest and societal responsibilities, emphasizing the significance of tolerance and understanding in complex, modern discussions on equality.
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insights INSIGHT
Contractualism and Justifiability
T. M. Scanlon's contractualism argues morality is based on justifying actions to others.
It explores what conduct is acceptable under justifiable principles, not all of morality.
insights INSIGHT
Moral Sensitivity and Political Disagreements
People are sensitive to moral criticism, even if they reject it, revealing underlying moral concern.
This sensitivity explains reactions to issues like mask-wearing, where opposition goes beyond mere disagreement.
insights INSIGHT
Moral Reasoning and Evaluating Objections
Moral reasoning involves evaluating reasons for objecting to actions and justifying counterarguments.
The key is not just personal feelings, but the underlying reasons for those objections.
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Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure
Yascha Mounk
In *The Great Experiment*, Yascha Mounk explores the challenges of creating diverse and equal democracies, arguing that achieving this goal is central to the democratic project. Drawing on history, social psychology, and comparative politics, Mounk offers a hopeful vision for bridging societal divides and building a more inclusive future. The book is praised for its profound understanding and practical suggestions for mitigating conflicts over race and identity.
What We Owe to Each Other
T. M. Scanlon
In *What We Owe to Each Other*, T. M. Scanlon presents a contractualist view of morality, arguing that moral judgments are based on principles that could not reasonably be rejected by others. The book explores how this approach explains duties such as honesty and promise-keeping, and it challenges traditional views on reasons, value, and well-being. Scanlon's work offers a novel perspective on moral philosophy, emphasizing the importance of mutual justification and criticism in understanding right and wrong.
To Kill a Democracy
To Kill a Democracy
India's Passage to Despotism
Not explicitly mentioned in the search results
This book explores how India's democratic institutions are being transformed into a form of despotism, a process that has been unfolding over decades. It argues that the country's problems are not solely attributed to recent political figures but are deeply rooted in its social and political structures.
T. M. Scanlon, one of the world's preeminent moral philosophers, was Alford Professor of Natural Religion, Moral Philosophy, and Civil Polity at Harvard University until his retirement. In his seminal work, What We Owe to Each Other, Scanlon gives a liberal account of how to reason through what it takes to act justly in matters of morality as well as politics.
In this week’s conversation, T. M. Scanlon and Yascha Mounk discuss the true meaning of tolerance, how to decide whether an action is morally right or wrong, and why the question of free will isn’t as important as you might think.
The Good Fight 
