‘Immoral’ to advise family and friends on life choices, says philosopher(theguardian.com)
theguardian.com
‘Immoral’ to advise family and friends on life choices, says philosopher
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/26/advising-others-on-crucial-life-choices-immoral-says-cambridge-philosopher
7 comments
> Dr Farbod Akhlaghi, a moral philosopher at Christ’s College, argues that everyone has a right to “self authorship”, so must make decisions about transformative experiences for themselves.
I'm only commenting on the news article's interpretation of the paper, which may be wrong, and not the paper itself.
There's nothing about giving advice that violates the right to "self-authorship".
I can vehemently urge somebody to move/quit a job/marry somebody else/have a babby/join a convent/buy a house/cheat on their wife/sell their car/etc and nothing about my speech would ever prevent the other person from having their own choice.
If the argument is that attempting persuasion violates individual rights, then freedom of speech would be impossible.
I'm only commenting on the news article's interpretation of the paper, which may be wrong, and not the paper itself.
There's nothing about giving advice that violates the right to "self-authorship".
I can vehemently urge somebody to move/quit a job/marry somebody else/have a babby/join a convent/buy a house/cheat on their wife/sell their car/etc and nothing about my speech would ever prevent the other person from having their own choice.
If the argument is that attempting persuasion violates individual rights, then freedom of speech would be impossible.
Totally agree, advice giving isn't making decisions for people.
It's the niche where people blame others for their choices where it gets hairy.
The realisation of responsibility comes with mistakes: I made a bad decision following someones advice but that someone didn't decide for me.
It's the niche where people blame others for their choices where it gets hairy.
The realisation of responsibility comes with mistakes: I made a bad decision following someones advice but that someone didn't decide for me.
Conversely if we believe what we say will have no influence, why bother saying it? You can't have it both ways.
Your speech may be protected, yet still be morally wrong.
As Oscar Wilde puts it, you have the right to make an ass of yourself.
As Oscar Wilde puts it, you have the right to make an ass of yourself.
Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice. -
William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Polonius to son Laertes.
William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Polonius to son Laertes.
By giving us this advice, isn't the author violating his own advice?
'And it is also said,' answered Frodo: 'Go not to the Elves for counsel for they will answer both no and yes.'
'Is it indeed?' laughed Gildor. 'Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.”