PHIL110B Chapter : Morality and Advantage - David Gauthier.docx
20 Dec 2012
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Baier says that being moral is following rules designed to overrule self-interest whenever it is in the interest of everyone alike that everyone should set aside his interest. Baier argues that morality is designed to overrule prudence when it is to everyone"s advantage that it do so (morality contributes to advantage in a way that prudence does not) Thesis: morality is a system of principles such that it is advantageous for everyone if everyone accepts and acts on it, yet acting on the system of principles requires that some persons perform disadvantageous acts. The thesis requires that disadvantages one incurs in telling the truth (in these cases) are less than the advantages one receives in being told the truth by others in parallel cases. A and b are 2 nations with opposed interests who are in an arms race and both have the latest in weaponry.
