ELUSIYAN FRANCIS T
INTRODUCTION
Uncertainty
has been expressed by philosophers about the question of whether there is a
genuine moral dilemma and basically this is what the exposition of DavisAnn
deals with. The question of whether there is a genuine moral dilemma and if
there is, what does it mean? This is an argument between the philosophers and
morally engaged layperson. But philosophers according to AnnDavis who question
the existence of genuine moral dilemma do not usually concern themselves with
trying to disrepute the testimony of actual agents in the real world. Rather,
what they are trying to do is challenge the supposition that appeals to peoples
experiences (and report about their experiences) could ever be thought to
provide sufficient ground for supposing that something constitutes a genuine
moral dilemma. According to Ann the philosophical concern about the possibility
of genuine moral dilemma which they said may lead to uselessness, incoherent
and inconsistence of morality may probably be true, by the way, for the purpose
of evaluating and revising our moral theories, but she opine that philosophers
have been unable to deal with this issues that the agents face in moral
dilemmas.
A GENERAL OUTLOOK OF GENUINE MORAL DILEMA
For
a particular state of affairs to be called a moral dilemma, the agent is faced
with the issues of moral significance. The term dilemma means difficult to
solve. It is therefore a datum, that choice which itself has solution is faced
with the challenge of choosing between two mutually exclusive, equally
attractive options, this limitation of choosing between the two is not as a
result of the agent’s inability to reason, his psychological state and his
weakness, though these are separate issues that cannot be overlooked. From the preceding,
Ann presents to us that the limitations of the agent to choose between two enthralling
but attractive options does not emerge as a result of the agent’s initial moral
misconduct or prior experiences that fail to recognize the rules and features
of morality, rather, the inescapability of this difficulty or predicament seems
inherent human beings and as well it shows the definitive or connotation of
genuine moral dilemma.
METAPHYSICAL AND LOGICAL APPROACH
TO THE PROSPECT OF GENUINE MORAL DILEMMAS
Though
most philosophers have been concerned with the truth or falsehood of the
logical and metaphysical claims about whether genuine moral dilemmas are
possible, it may be worth considering the plausibility of a more modest claim,
the claim that there are in fact few, if any moral dilemmas. This time around
the philosophers embark on adopting a method called STRATEGY OF RETROSOECTIVE ASSESSMENT. This particular strategy
involves the attempt to tender a disinterested, after the fact assessment of
the agent’s options and their values seem to have a lot to commend it. The
content of knowing the possibility of genuine moral dilemmas cannot be known
prior to or independently of experience, in other words, cannot be proven by
the nature of the agent’s moral experience. It is further expressed that the
adoption of strategy of retrospective assessment enables the philosophers to
alarm on the importance of being sensitive to the differences and complexities
of the actual circumstances surrounding the emergence of a genuine moral
dilemma.
It
is by this strategy that they are capable of explaining the reason behind the
agent’s belief that these circumstances make up a genuine moral dilemma, and as
well point out the reason why the agent’s impressions were mistaken. It is equally
expressed that the strategy of retrospective assessment draws some of their
plausibility from our recognition of the superior epistemic value of after the
fact analyses. This directly implies that the retrospection on an agent’s
difficulty or unpleasant situation can be done in series of respect that are
superior to the actual condition of the agent’s when deliberating or taking an
action. This approach is more clearer and well informed than that of the agent’s,
this is strictly because the other person’s retrospection is free from
confusing state of mind.
It
has come to a greater awareness that the method of retrospective assessment is
familiar and intuitively plausible. This has enhances a greater comprehensive
nature of human phenomena or simply put, the difficulty in the science of human
nature that moral dilemmas seizure.
This
same method also uncovers the fact that the mistakes of human are as a result
of not being able to see beyond themselves, and this proposed the retention of
ignorance and low epistemic values.
To
Ann Davis, a mature reflective agent who cultivates a retrospective habit sees
his past and that of others, therefore holding to that fact that his problem
which seemed unsolved was as a matter of time and as well such problem is a finite
one for that matter. Therefore, with the adoption of retrospective assessment
method, we stand to voice out at the face of moral matters, most especially,
the experience of dilemmas which seem insoluble with great consequence does not
provide grounds for supposing that there are indeed genuine moral dilemmas.
APPLICATION
Davis
presents more affirmative answer to the question of whether there is
possibility of genuine moral dilemmas, by taking into consideration the
experiences of morally serious adults or mature human beings. What she tend to
explain is that a logical implication and moral cannot dig out the reality
behind the agent’s moral situations, rather a closer look into the agent’s
situation and experience help to fish out the agent’s predicament.
Ann
Davis preferred to end this write up by stating the fact that looking at some
experiences of some morally serious adults; we seem to find some grounds for an
affirmative. As well there could be a resemblance of genuine moral dilemmas,
when a keen look and special considering or attention is paid on the agent’s
particular circumstances, deliberations and on the phenomenology of moral difficult
choices. Therefore, Ann Davis says “Yes I believe it is true that if we appeal
to the moral experience of mature human beings, and to what might be called
moral common sense, we will be inclined to conclude that there are genuine
moral dilemmas.
Davis
thereby back up her claim by considering the menace of September 11, 2011 at
the world trade center, of which two good friends called Bob and Ted are
victims of this. Unfortunately, these two good friends were in the twenty eight
floor of the WTC when the first hijacked plane struck the office located
closely to the tower. Over thousands of people were running for survive through
an exit, in this plethora of situation for the survival of life. Unfortunately
Ted is a fat man who was under medical care and attached on him are the heavy
medical equipment and to get him out would require the hands of about six able
persons apart from his good friend Bob. In this critical situation, what would
Bob have to do? Knowing fully well that his survival is important those who
liked him and as well his family members, thereby leaving him would be a
betrayer of true friendship, and a well staying to struggle for the life of Ted
could also cause him his life and as well the life of that Ted. Summarily, Bob
chose to remain with Ted. This decision shows the kind of person Bob was, but
the significance of Bob’s decision describes the situation as a genuine moral
dilemma, which showcase a link of his moral identity. This is a very serious
issue in which neither of the choices was truly identifiable as the better or
morally preferable.
EVALUATION/CONCLUSION
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