[MD] Knowing Right from Wrong

[Platt Holden]

Hi Everyone:

For those interested in the current state of academic philosophical 
thinking on the subject of morals I recommend an article by MIT 
philosopher Alex Byrne published in the April issue of Boston Review 
entitled "Knowing Right from Wrong. Is morality a natural phenomena?"

http://bostonreview.net/BR32.2/byrne.html

As I read the article I couldn't help but think, "Here is a classic case
of someone who suffers from The Curse of Knowledge -- the difficulty of 
remembering what it was like not to know something." In writing for a 
general audience the author seems more out to impress with his familiarity 
with various philosophical positions than answering the question he posed
in the first place." Then I thought to myself, "Obviously this guy hasn't 
read 'Lila.' For if he had, the convolutions he gets himself into in 
discussing  whether there is such a thing as 'natural morality' would have 
been easily untangled." 

Since academics tend to discount anybody except other academics perhaps
this guy should be sent a copy of Anthony McWatt's thesis, although I have
a nagging suspicion that even then nothing would change. Academics are not 
especially known for their openness of mind. Except for our friend 
Dusenberry. :-)

Best,
Platt