j.r. leonard

Here is my one normative opinion in this conversation: that is a terrible take and is probably why Democrats don’t win more elections. People don’t like moral scolds, especially when it’s paired with an unearned sense of superiority

What would you have us do instead? Not pass these types of laws and just ... sort of dither ?

They voted against a law that got their neighbors healthcare/ that’s not being a scold it’s just pointing out a fact. They care more about themselves than other people. They would have everyone who got coverage lose it again. How is that ethical?

I’m sorry, but that’s pretty much the definition of a moral scold.

So should we never point out this kind of behavior then? Sigh. What good are ethics if we can’t discuss them?

Moralizing is not ethics

It literally is. Harming people for your own self interest is unethical. It’s the golden rule: the center of all ethics. Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

No. Ethical discussion involve establishing an ethical framework, thinking through various lines of moral reasoning, and an honest assessment of counterfactuals and differing opinions. Assuming you’re right and lecturing other people for not agreeing with you is moralizing