Since 1998, Simon Fraser University’s Continuing Studies program Philosophers’ Café has tackled topics ranging from the metaphysical to the mundane. Over the next several months, cafes, libraries and community centres around Metro Vancouver will host forums for intellectual discussion, debate and dialogue between philosophers and non-philosophers alike ontopics including digital privacy and the nature of free will.
A perennial philosophical topic is the nature of universal ethics and whether there is such a thing, what propositions or principles it would include or exclude, and whether it is applicable or acceptable to all cultures.
The Golden Rule as a universal ethical principle
One such moral concept, commonly known as the Golden Rule, which says one ought to treat others as one would wish to be treated, appears in many historical accounts of ethics from a wide range of countries, cultures and schools of thought from Buddhist and Confucian philosophy to Christian and Islamic theology and has been considered a quintessentially universal ethical principle.
Randall MacKinnon, who will facilitate and moderate the discussion on “Universality” on Sept. 16 at Dogwood Pavilion in Coquitlam, is captivated by the topic and thinks the answers to those questions are not so
obvious.
“We might say something like ‘Do unto others as you would have others do unto you’ or some other version like that, but the question of whether or not there are universal ethical standards is very much open for debate,” says MacKinnon.
“I think the Golden Rule is overly simplistic because you might like or appreciate things which are different from what I like or appreciate.” he says.
Randall Mackinnon will moderate several Philosophers Café sessions over the next few months, including “Universality”
Academic discussions in a relaxed setting
MacKinnon has been moderating cafe sessions for over 10 years and has met a variety of curious and inquisitive people from diverse cultures, ethnicities and age groups. While he likes to choose and moderate topics which will arouse interestand have a degree of controversy and emotion, the sessions are friendly and respectful, where friendships are formed and understanding of different life views are revealed.
“No punches are thrown, nobody is pushing anybody else, though people can get worked up because of widely divergent opinions or challenges to their beliefs. But many participants come out of these sessions with new perspectives, see a controversial issue more clearly and awaken an interest in philosophical issues in them,” MacKinnon says.
In addition, the sessions go beyond mere lecturing and text reading as they are designed for participant interaction and to put real faces to moral and philosophical positions.
“We’ve had some very interesting guests who are able to take the opinions and positions expressed and say, ‘My experience has been so-and-so’ which gives others a little more to chew on than just hearing something in the media or reading about it in a textbook,” says MacKinnon.
Perhaps the most important thing future Philosophers’ Café participants can bring to the discussion is to keep an open mind and explore outside one’s own perspective, to imagine what life is like to other people and how perspectives that may not work for one person can work for another.
As for what MacKinnon himself thinks could qualify as a universal ethical principle that can be understood and accepted by all cultures, familial love is high on his list.
“I see a lot of parents with kids and I see virtually all of them delighted with their kids, taking care of them. And I have to believe that’s innate; that generally, there is love within the family.”
