PHI 1101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Artificial Insemination, Fritz Kreisler, New Denver

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: PHI 1101
• Professor: Jon Charles Miller

Document Summary

Purposes are to develop the ability to recognize obscurity in what others say, and to learn how to clearly say what we mean. We think more clearly when our points are put as precisely as possible. Even if we disagree, there is hope of resolution if the disagreement can be focused on something precise. It"s tempting to adopt the least plausible interpretation of a statement we disagree with so it"ll be easier to prove that the opponents are wrong. Eg doctors who perform abortions are guilty of first degree murder. But when there is an important issue at stake, find the fairest interpretation of their words that is available, the one that best represents what they actually want to say. In any discussion we have the moral obligation to treat our opponents fairly, to follow the principle of charity, which is to adopt the most charitable interpretation of their words among the possible interpretations suggested by context.