1st time crashing lecture at NUS!

Friday, attended the forensic science lecture at LT32 7pm-10pm. very interesting lecture indeed, as we were exposed to pictures of corpse, mutiliated bodies and 'blood-encrusted' body parts. Quite sad for the innocent loss of human lives, but the lesson itself was interesting to many, perhaps since people can be quite saddistic at times, desiring to see forbidden matters...

Wed
Attended USP lecture on ethics and the environment
Lecturer looks like he is trying hard to make the lecture interesting, but honestly, how interesting can philosophy be when the students do not understand half the things he is teaching...Luckily for a lost soul like me, I am able to understand about 60% of it after the initial scare and blurness...

Ethics and the Environment
*Factual v.s Moral
Ask the question: How does it relate ourselves to the world?
Since the world is fixed, if the statement fits the observed, it can be considered factual
*A judgement typically is made from experience, although some may claim it can be made from
feelings.
*Rationality is the only universal thing
*Feelings cannot be universal (it's arguable)
In order to prove that feelings is universal, have to provide reasons, otherwise the claim is
rejected.
*Moral theories provide moral(ethical) principles to justify matters
1) Teleological Theories suggests good outcome
- Most influential is Utilitarianism
Classical utilitiarianism equates it to happiness
People do things to make themselves happy. Anything that gives happiness is good vice
versa. Do things that gives greatest happiness.
19th century philosophers change utilitarianism to consequential
i.e. Do things that give the best consequence
2) Deontology argues that decisions should be made by considering the factors of one's duties
and other's rights
Most famous deontologist is Immanuel Kant. His Categorical Imparative roots morality in
humanity's rational capacity and asserts certain inviolable moral laws
E.g One should tell the truth no matter the consequence, such as Doctors should tell the truth
to patients as they have the right to know their medical condition.
In Kantian ethics, the key attribute is rationality!