Modern analytic philosophy and modern neo-liberal economics have reformed a whole generations thinking about moral decisions. There have been devastating consequences. In such cases typically the offending assumption is hidden away from sight.
A contemporary author writes:’To give attention to ethics is to consider what is right and wrong, what is good and bad, what is just and unjust, what sort of person one should be, and what sort of life and relationships one should have.’ (p.2 ‘Moral philosophy’ by DeNicola)
In the world of economics there is a general tendency to write such as:’A more elaborate account of the conditions of choice would suggest that for choice to be properly available in a democratic society, three types of conditions need to be satisfied. First, philosophically (and psychologically), autonomy needs to be developed and exercised. The basic properties of autonomy would include the development of an ability to discern and consider options, and the capability to act according to one’s preferences. The second condition of choice is political: freedom must be part of the institutional ethos, allowing for the realization of rights, which in turn have to be engraved in the political structure. A third and less often considered condition for choice is the social one. Socially, opportunity must exist, or the availability of multiple relevant options for the individual to choose from (this third point is historically related to what T. H. Marshal terms “social rights”)’. (p.7 ‘Tough Choices by Ben-Porath)
Here a mix of philosophical and ideological streams gather. Analytic philosophy seeks to render choice as close to a matyhematical and logical issue as possible, whereas in economics there is the fetish of citizens making ‘free choices’ in the market place of ideas or politics.
This view of life is devoid of any profundity and so shallow as to render moral thought of little value. In this neo-liberal world all choices ar equivalent. But if we introduce the concept of ‘cursed choices’ we get closer to real life and also expose the shallowness of contemporary thinking.
Let us look at the idea of a cursed choice. A cursed choice arises when prior decisions have thrown one into a position where a choice must be made BUT NONE OF THE OPTIONS ARE DESIRABLE. Modern philosophical and economic thought cannot cope with the situation were : you ar ehere becaus eof prior decisions you made. There are no good answers. Analytic philosophers invent many of these cases to highlight ‘moral situations’. Ironically in setting up the situation for the moral conundrum DeNicola has the couple make a series of decisions which generate the cursed decision.
Hewrites:
‘Olivia’s was among the earliest cases identified in the United States: she had contracted the Zika virus during the early stages of pregnancy. She and her boyfriend Michael had enjoyed a memorable beach vacation in Latin America. She didn’t know then that she was pregnant; and she had no symptoms of the virus until she returned home.She quickly learned the implications: the Zika virus is linked with scarily high rates of neurological birth defects, including microcephaly, which is characterized by an abnormally small head, underdeveloped brain, and cognitive disability. Severe forms result in death. But even milder forms may produce significant disabilities that necessitate continual monitoring and medical care.
From a sample of the amniotic fluid and a genetic test, she has learned that Zika has now infected the fetus. But unfortunately, according to medical authorities, microcephaly cannot be detected until very late in the second trimester (perhaps twenty weeks).’
Chingis Khan and the Taoist tradition would however look at this differently: a cursed decision is itself already an outcome of earlier decisions. This insight is not unique to any culture. In Greek myth King Agammemnon has to decide whether to sacrifice his daughter, Iphigenia, and save his military expedition or abandon the military expedition. This situation arose because:’While gathering the Greek fleet at the port of Aulis to sail against Troy, Agamemnon offended Artemis, the goddess of the hunt (by accidentally killing one of her sacred stags or boasting that he was a better hunter than her).’
According to the legend:’The seer Calchas revealed that the only way to appease Artemis and secure favorable winds was for Agamemnon to offer his eldest daughter, Iphigenia, as a human sacrifice.’
Analytic philosophy and neo-liberal economics treat these situations as if an optimal choice is available if only we could think it through. This only reveals the bankruptcy of their imagination.