Choice Group Seminar by Brian Mcelwee (University of Southampton): ‘The Variability of Moral Demands’

Abstract: Two common thoughts about morality appear to pull us in opposite directions. On the one hand, we may conceive of morality as a common set of rules that equally bind every person. Unlike matters of personal vocation, individual ideals, idiosyncratic tastes and preferences, all of which seem to give reasons to some agents but not others, we tend to conceive of morality as something universal: each person is bound to follow the same moral rules, independently of their specific tastes, preferences and personal ideals. When it comes to issues of demandingness, this conception leads us to the thought that morality requires the same of each of us – it asks no more of one person than any other. On the other hand, a separate line of thought draws us to the opposite conclusion – that more is morally required of those whose moral development is more advanced. It seems plausible to claim that those for whom acting well is easier, or constitutes less of a sacrifice, are morally required to do more than those for whom it is more difficult or costly. I attempt to reconcile these two perspectives. Along the way, I discuss moral duties of self-improvement, as well as the neglected question of whether we are morally required to cultivate inexpensive tastes.

Brian Mcelwee is a Lecturer of Philosophy at the University of Southampton.

This event will take place in person on LSE’s campus. However, those unable to attend in person will have the option of taking part online.

To join online just follow these instructions:

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• Zoom link for this for this meeting: https://lse.zoom.us/j/6613924533 

Please note that these events are routinely recorded, with the edited footage being made publicly available on our website and YouTube channel. We will only record the audio, the slides and the speaker and will not include the Q&A section. However, any question asked during the talk itself will feature in the final edit.