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Simple Ethics Question

Wrath of the Swarm said:
I'd like to hear a definition of 'benefit' as used in your above quote.
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For me, a benefit is something that promotes or otherwise helps my short- or long-term goals.
 
Wrath of the Swarm said:
So you approve of people who believe stupid things, or accept shoddy reasoning, if it helps them reach their goals?
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"Approve" is completely irrelevant. I may not "approve" if in my opinion their beliefs are stupid. But obviously for them their beliefs are not stupid. In that sense, I don't approve or reprove the beliefs but I approve the logic of doing whatever you think that will help your goals as long as it doesn't conflict with your moral values.
 
So for people who wish to perceive themselves as getting the proper treatment and being healthy, it's better to believe in homeopathy than to consider it skeptically?
 
Wrath of the Swarm said:
So for people who wish to perceive themselves as getting the proper treatment and being healthy, it's better to believe in homeopathy than to consider it skeptically?
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Have you understood the original question to which I replied ? If yes, why do you ask something completely irrelevant in this thread ?

We are talking about the case where you believe that something is correct and the question is whether you should always openly state your belief or perhaps it is better to conceal it in order to please someone.
 
Not at all. You're reading far too much into the original question: "Is it better to please everyone, or be correct?"

There are many ways in which it is possible to "be correct". One way is to openly express a correct statement. Another is to know the truth about a particular thing or situation.

Your statement about which behaviors are better is also far broader in its scope than the question Yahweh asked.
 
Wrath of the Swarm said:
Not at all. You're reading far too much into the original question: "Is it better to please everyone, or be correct?"

There are many ways in which it is possible to "be correct". One way is to openly express a correct statement. Another is to know the truth about a particular thing or situation.

Your statement about which behaviors are better is also far broader in its scope than the question Yahweh asked.
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Yahweh obviously has not stated the question 100% correctly, yet the meaning is still easy to undestand. It could be rephrased like this: "Should you always express your true opinion or is it sometimes better to conceal it or even lie in order to please someone ?"
 
I don't think so. He can also be understood as asking "what's more important, knowing and/or sharing correct sentiments or knowing/sharing sentiments which please people?"

It seems an appropriate question for a skeptical board.
 
Wrath of the Swarm said:
I don't think so. He can also be understood as asking "what's more important, knowing and/or sharing correct sentiments or knowing/sharing sentiments which please people?"
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If you choose "sharing", the question is identical to the one I phrased. If you use "knowing", then I fail to understand how there is a dilemma between "knowing sentiments which please people" and "knowing correct sentiments". You can "know" both.
 
I guess some people didn't see the bit about "I deliberately left my question very open to interpretation". Or are just so ... sure they're correct that they'd rather insist on that meaning than be popular.
 
bjornart said:
I guess some people didn't see the bit about "I deliberately left my question very open to interpretation". Or are just so ... sure they're correct that they'd rather insist on that meaning than be popular.
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Yes, being correct serves better my long-term forum-related goals than being popular :D
 
my life has been defined by almost always being correct, and as a consequence, pleasing almost nobody. i rock.
 
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