Like trying to peel a raspberry

I read Jeremy Waldron’s review of Kwame Anthony Appiah’s book Experiments in Ethics. The book’s title gives a pretty good sense of what it is about generally, which is thought experiments of what one would do in certain – often desperate - situations. The problem is that these situations are presented in stark black and white terms, or extremes of “categorical” versus “consequential” choices, whereas life is rarely this extreme and clear-cut; rather much of the choices we, as normal people, make are colored by shades of gray, dependent on the situation and, of course, influenced by psychological factors. Appiah’s position, however, is that ethics is fundamentally intertwined with the study of psychology - separating them would be “like trying to peel a raspberry,” he argued at one point - and that ethics can learn from what psychology has to say, although the latter cannot replace the former as is possibly the belief of some psychologists.

Nonetheless Waldron’s review of Experiments in Ethics was decidedly, well, lukewarm. A better review of Appiah’s book is found in a February 3, 2009 issue of The New York Book Times Review. Also I read two of Appiah's books, Cosmopolitanism and In My Father’s House, both of which were incredibly insightful and drew on interesting anecdotes from his unique and multifaceted background. Although I have not read the actual book, I would definitely recommend Experiments in Ethics.

On the decrease in Charitable work

Earlier I pointed out on this blog that in times of national tragedy, Americans have in the past displayed courage and compassion in meeting the challenge. After reading articles on two websites, Association of Fundraising Professionals and The Chronicle of Philanthropy, which shows that, according to the latest statistics, Americans have, in actuality, decreased the amount of charitable work, both in terms of donations to causes and time set aside to volunteering, in the wake of the economic crisis. It is no doubt true that, unlike say a natural disaster, the circumstances of the economic crisis are different than most other national tragedies because most Americans have been affected financially in some way and are understandably concerned about their own situation. I still feel strongly, however, that volunteering is the right thing to do given the condition we are in. There is certainly no better time than now to volunteer, when the need is so great and so many are in need of a wide range of services. That said, the issue of a decrease in volunteering is only part of the story; what’s needed, also, is some sign that the economic situation is beginning to ameliorate – this would give more citizens genuine hope, and has the potential to create a snowball effect.

Few sites I have visited

After listening to him on Bill Moyers Journal, I plan to read an article on Rory Stewart, called "Undaunted". Also, I plan to check out some of the National Parks: America’s Best Idea episodes I missed online (they are available for viewing until October 9, 2009, I believe). And finally, I updated a blog called Moral of the Story, a link to the website for Lutheran World Relief, a link to the website for This American Life, and a link to the website for the Documentary Channel; feel free to check them out.