American Thinker Discusses Meaning of Ethical Questions
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Seoul National University (SNU) is heating up with thinkers and philosophers from all over the world gathered for the 22nd World Congress of Philosophy (WCP). This is the first time an Asian nation has hosted the event, with approximately 3,000 participants getting together to share academic achievements and insights in philosophy. Among those attending is Allan Gibbard, 66, who shared some of his views and ideas on the future of philosophy at the event.
``My aim is to get the best analysis in important philosophical problems and learn from the ways other people are tackling problems and arguing their positions,'' he told The Korea Times during an interview at the venue.
Gibbard is an expert in contemporary ethical theory, particularly metaethics, which tackles the meaning of fundamental ethical questions. A professor in the department of philosophy at the University of Michigan, he stressed that ethical questions are just as important as the answers.
``We all ask whether the things we might do may be wrong or morally right. But when we try to answer those questions, we need to know what the questions mean, and this is the main part of metaethics. Normative ethics ask what sorts of acts are right or wrong, while metaethics asks what those questions mean,'' he said.
``One problem that faces us all is how to think about ethics, about living with other people. I have tried to think about what those questions mean because its important to understand those questions if we are going to get clear answers,'' he said.
When asked about the differences in philosophy between Eastern and Western societies, Gibbard said that it was a matter of traditions.
``There (is) a difference between traditions that stand from Greece and that from China. Korea and Japan were obviously very influenced by China,'' said Gibbard.
Differences in tradition led to a difference in overall thinking: the Greeks stressed analysis and argument while the Chinese stressed broad global understanding of situations.
``Sometimes East Asian (countries) make mistakes because of their way of thinking. Sometimes the Europeans and Americans make mistakes that East Asians would not because they focus on particular parts of the situation. It's a different kind of enterprise,'' he added.
The interest in philosophy here is only growing slowly, but Gibbard saw a positive future through students.
``The New York Times had an article talking about how, in American universities, more students are taking philosophy because of the ability to analyze questions and give arguments. (This) is an ability that is very important in pretty well any aspect of life. In America, larger proportions of students are becoming philosophy majors and I hope that will happen in Korea because philosophy teaches (the) virtues of thinking about a wide range of problems,'' he said.
Ethics deal with questions of how to live with one another and further asks if that way of living is right. Living in such a fast paced society now, getting to know different people and appreciating them may be more difficult than it sounds. The professor explained that ethics is actually within us and around our daily lives, and with proper guidance, can be easily applied to living an ethically sound life.
``Sometimes, because we care about other's opinions, we try to display our wealth and that (has become) the way of paying attention. But there are other ways in winning people's respect that make a difference in their lives for the better. I think it's important to recognize (those) who use their effort and money to make life better for other people,'' he said.