Notes on Questions in Lecture of 04/29/2023

 Q1. The famous Golden Rule has a number of variations

• What is one of them?

Answer: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

 

Q2. Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never merely as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an end.”
― Immanuel Kant, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals/On a Supposed Right to Lie Because of Philanthropic Concerns

• Analyze that quote: what does it mean and do you agree?

Answer:

It seems like a version of the golden rule. It means treat people as if they have a certain inherent worth and dignity that you should respect.

 

Q3. In my observation, when people are in conflict, the Golden Rule gets neglected

• What is your observation? 

Answer:

That seems to be the case. People generally don’t act compassionate when they are in conflict. That’s the nature of conflict.

The US contains 2 popular attitudes:

(1) “Broadly cooperative”

(2) Broadly hostile

• Which generally leads people to treat others better?
  • (more specifically, per the golden rule and categorical imperative)

• Which generally leads people to violate the golden rule and categorical imperative?

Answer:

Broadly cooperative attitudes lead people to treat others better while broadly hostile attitudes cause people to treat others worse.

Q4. So, what do you think about the concept of “thoughtcrime”?

Answer:

It doesn’t exist. You shouldn’t punish people for attitudes, only the actions those attitudes can lead to.

 

Q5. dP/dT  –  calling all calculus students:

What does that mean??

 

Answer:

 

Essentially the change in the level of “P” (cooperation) with respect to time.

 

Q6. Why?

What if cultural differences are high? Low?

What if competition is high? Low?

 

Answer:

 

Cultural differences probably act as a barrier to cooperation.