Why Moral Philosophers Aren't Necessarily More Moral

🤔Moral philosophers are more likely to deem actions morally good or bad, but not more likely to engage in morally good actions themselves.

😲Self-report and objective metrics both support the finding that moral philosophers behave similarly to others in terms of moral behavior.

🌍Moral philosophers face a wider scope of moral consideration, including global consequences of their actions.

🔎The more one studies ethics, the more the concept of morality permeates all aspects of life.

💡The phenomenon of the telescoping effect suggests that the motivation for moral behavior diminishes as the number of potential moral actions increases.

Do moral philosophers have a higher moral standard?

—While moral philosophers may have a deep understanding of moral principles, studies show that they do not necessarily hold themselves to a higher moral standard compared to others.

Why do moral philosophers not engage in more morally good actions?

—One explanation is that the scope of moral consideration for moral philosophers is broader and more complex, involving global consequences and future generations.

What is the telescoping effect?

—The telescoping effect refers to the diminishing motivation for moral behavior as the number of potential moral actions increases, leading to a drop in the bucket effect.

How can moral philosophers cope with the telescoping effect?

—Coping with the telescoping effect involves setting realistic goals and priorities within the vast realm of potential moral actions, focusing on meaningful and impactful choices.

Does studying ethics make someone more moral?

—Studying ethics can increase one's understanding of moral principles and ethical dilemmas, but the translation into moral behavior depends on various factors, including personal values and motivations.

00:00Moral philosophers are not necessarily more moral than others.

00:48The behavior of moral philosophers does not align with the moral standards they endorse.

01:35A hypothesis suggests that studying ethics leads to a broader scope of moral consideration.

03:13The phenomenon of the telescoping effect explains the overwhelming challenge of trying to be moral in all aspects of life.

04:32The telescoping effect affects the motivation for moral behavior based on the number of potential moral actions.