Discussion On The Evils Of Different Kinds In Human Society

Discussion 1since Evils Of Different Kinds In Human Society Have Been

Discussion 1since Evils Of Different Kinds In Human Society Have Been

Since evils of different kinds in human society have been associated with the liberty, freedom, and free will humans possess, would it have been better if humans were made to live as robots, programmed to be incapable of committing crimes? Which would you prefer — humans with free choice and the existence of evil in society, or humans without free choice and no evil in society? Provide a reasoned response to this question.

Additionally, share some problems you encounter while reading the chapters in the textbook.

Paper For Above instruction

The question of whether human society would be better off if humans were programmed like robots, lacking free will and therefore incapable of evil, touches on fundamental debates about free will, morality, and societal stability. On one hand, removing free will could eliminate crime and immoral behavior, creating a perfectly orderly society. On the other hand, it would also deprive humans of moral responsibility, authentic choice, and the capacity for genuine love, compassion, and personal growth. The idea of living as robots raises profound ethical concerns, primarily about autonomy and the essence of human nature.

Many philosophers argue that free will is central to human dignity. Immanuel Kant, for instance, emphasized that moral responsibility stems from autonomous decision-making. If humans were programmed, their actions would not be genuine choices but predetermined behaviors, undermining concepts of moral praise or blame. While a society devoid of evil sounds appealing, it would lack the moral significance associated with voluntary moral actions. Moreover, humans derive a sense of purpose and fulfillment from making choices, even if those choices involve risk and potential error.

Conversely, proponents of a deterministic or controlled existence suggest that eliminating evil and suffering through programming or strict regulations could promote social harmony and safety. However, this approach would effectively erase individual free will, reducing humans to mere automatons. Such a society might maintain peace and order, but at the expense of personal liberty and moral agency. The richness of human experience depends on the capacity to choose good or evil, to learn from mistakes, and to grow morally.

When considering whether it would be better for humans to be programmed robots or to live with free will, it is crucial to recognize that moral responsibility and personal growth are intertwined with our ability to make choices. The presence of evil and moral failure pressures societies to develop systems of justice and rehabilitation, which are essential for moral development. While a world without evil may seem ideal superficially, it could diminish the very qualities that make humans uniquely human. Therefore, I believe that living with free will, despite the risks of evil, is preferable because it preserves human dignity, moral agency, and the potential for genuine moral progress.

Regarding challenges when reading textbook chapters, one common difficulty is understanding complex philosophical concepts and their arguments. Some texts present abstract ideas that require careful interpretation and critical thinking to grasp fully. Additionally, technical terminology can be overwhelming, especially when unfamiliar. Differentiating between various philosophical perspectives and appreciating subtle nuances in arguments also pose challenges. To overcome these problems, I find it helpful to take notes, summarize key points, and seek supplementary explanations from online resources or discussion groups to enhance comprehension.

References

• Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. Trans. Mary Gregor. Cambridge University Press, 2002.
• Hume, D. (1739). A Treatise of Human Nature. Clarendon Press, 1978.
• Nietzsche, F. (1886). Beyond Good and Evil. Trans. R.J. Hollingdale. Penguin Classics, 2007.
• Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
• Sartre, J.-P. (1943). Being and Nothingness. Routledge, 2001.
• Schopenhauer, A. (1851). The World as Will and Representation. Trans. E.F.J. Payne. Dover Publications, 2011.
• Russell, B. (1945). A History of Western Philosophy. Simon & Schuster, 1945.
• Calhoun, C. (2012). Thoughts on human nature and society. Oxford University Press.
• Williams, B. (1973). Morality: An Introduction to Ethics. Cambridge University Press.
• Baier, A. (1995). The Damaged Eye: Essays on Philosophy in Honor of Richard M. Zaner. University of Chicago Press.