Are There Moral Absolutes?
Details
The English jurist William Blackstone said, “It is better that ten guilty persons escape than one innocent suffer.” Is that an absolute, or is it just a guideline? If it’s a guideline that can be suspended at will, does it really mean anything? (“In general it’s better, but when the crime is really unpopular, or the suspect belongs to an unpopular group, then it’s okay if you sometimes convict the innocent.”)
But if it’s an absolute, is 10 the limit? Would it be acceptable to falsely convict one innocent in order to prevent an 11th person from escaping? Why 10? Benjamin Franklin increased the ratio to 100 guilty to one innocent. Is there any number of guilty escaping at which it’s acceptable for a single innocent to suffer? What makes that number so special?
AI summary
By Meetup
Philosophical discussion for general audiences on whether moral absolutes govern justice and the acceptable guilty-to-innocent ratio; outcome: attendees state their position.
AI summary
By Meetup
Philosophical discussion for general audiences on whether moral absolutes govern justice and the acceptable guilty-to-innocent ratio; outcome: attendees state their position.