Subject of Moral Worth | Ethics Defined

Summary

This video defines the concept of 'subject of moral worth,' explaining who and what falls under this category, and how it relates to the 'moral community.' It clarifies the distinction between subjects of moral worth and members of the moral community, emphasizing that while all people are subjects of moral worth and part of the moral community, other entities like animals and art can also be subjects of moral worth without being part of the moral community. The video highlights that the rights of people in the moral community are prioritized over other subjects of moral worth.

Highlights

Defining 'Subject of Moral Worth'00:00:04

The video introduces the concept of a 'subject of moral worth,' stating that people are always considered subjects of moral worth. It expands this definition to include beings like animals, or objects such as art, which are vulnerable to harm and hold importance for the moral community.

The Moral Community and Equal Rights00:00:23

The 'moral community' encompasses all people from birth to death, with every member theoretically possessing equal, natural rights to moral protection. Philosopher Deni Elliott asserts that all members of the moral community are inherently subjects of moral worth.

Distinction Between Moral Worth and Moral Community00:00:41

While all members of the moral community are subjects of moral worth, the inverse is not true. Entities like animals, art, cultural artifacts, and the environment can be subjects of moral worth, meaning they should be protected from unjustified harm, but they are not considered members of the moral community.

Prioritizing Moral Protection00:00:58

An example given is a fire at an art museum: firefighters should prioritize saving people over artwork, even though art is a subject of moral worth. This highlights that while moral protection extends to all subjects of moral worth, the rights and lives of members of the moral community are paramount.