1. Clifford argues that even if the ship had arrived safely, the ship owner would still be just as "guilty" (presumably of negligence) even if it had in fact turned out that he did not get caught or found out. Is Clifford correct? Explain.
As per philosophical perspective, Clifford is correct by arguing that the ship owner will still be guilty even if the ship were to arrive safely. This is because, if something wrong had happened during the sea journey and probably affects the passengers, the sole owner of the ship could be accountable and made liable for all loses. This is strengthened by the fact that the owner clearly knew that the ship was not sea worth (Madigan, 2008). Although the claims could be difficult to be justified simply because of unjustified evidence in Clifford doxastic conversation, the same scenario would apply even if the ship reached her destination safely. This is due to the breach of moral values leading to the offence of morally culpability. To avoid the whole situation, the ship owner would have fully investigated the condition of the ship before departure so as he can believe based on the evidence available. This could remove any doubts to gain the truth and avoid error.
2. At one point Clifford notes that
" no one man's belief is in any case a private matter which concerns himself alone."
Is Clifford right? In either case, what role does this idea play in his overall argument (especially with respect to the ethics of belief?)
Clifford is absolutely right when he suggest that man’s beliefs are never a private matter. In philosophical perspective, the society norms and moral values shape the character of an individual in that particular environment. This is to say that, the life of a person, as they grow develop an in built belief learnt from the experience of their environment (Madigan, 2008). So the things that a person perceives and the decision they make in their living is based on the values of the general society. It is never something personal. However, an individual may develop norms and believes considered surplus to that of the society. These extra behaviours may in one way be impure and baseless. The result of such scenario is that the individual will never have the trust of the community in the future. For instance when somebody beliefs they have a stone at the corridor of the house and a box at their bedroom. Then it happens that someone else justifies the presence of the box in the bedroom but does not see the stone at the corridor, the individual credibility about his beliefs fades off. He will be considered unreliable in the future.
3. At one point James suggests that Clifford's approach is driven out of fear of "becoming a dupe". What exactly does James claim that Clifford is afraid of? What is James' own position regarding this fearful prospect of becoming a dupe? Explain.
The doxastic conversation suggests the extent of avoiding error by all means. Therefore, it advocates for the avoidance of being ‘duped’ by any errors of any kind. This is what James claims that Clifford is afraid of. However, James does believe that in spite of being cautious enough, people make errors. Furthermore, to make an error does not count as worst thing to ever happen. Therefore, human beings do not have to get worried much by the kind of mistakes the make (Wood, 2002). Regarding the fearful prospect of becoming a dupe, James suggest that one may never choose an option if they were to be extra cautious. Therefore, there is the likelihood that such a person is going to miss out on crucial things due to the lack of evidential justification to choose. In decision making, it comes a time when one does not have to wait for a particular condition as they expect for them to decide.
A comment on the post of the other student
I agree on what the fellow student had to say. From the first question of the case of negligence, the owner of the ship remains guilty regardless of what happens during the travel. The reason is that the owner initially knew and had some doubt of the ships condition. Therefore, since he did want to incur much cost to repair the ship, he is morally culpable and must be liable to any loss. Concerning the second question, my fellow student acknowledged that a person’s life, moral values and conduct is shaped by the greater society in which they live in. it is never a personal concern or a private matter. This is true. On answering question three, my fellow student argued right that James’ position is that it is only natural that human beings make mistakes. Therefore making a decision in any given time must not be subjected to an expected condition (Wood, 2002). People should act on and make decisions provided that what they do is considered right by beliefs.
References
Madigan, T. (2008). W.K. Clifford and 'The ethics of belief'. Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars.
Wood, A. W. (2002). Unsettling obligations: Essays on reason, reality, and the ethics of belief. Stanford, Calif: CSLI Publications.
