Thomas Nagel: Moral Luck

question 13

Multiple Choice

Thomas Nagel: Moral Luck
Intuitively, people should not be condemned for things that are due to factors beyond their control. Nagel argues, however, that there seem to be many instances of moral luck. Cases of moral luck occur when what someone does depends on factors beyond her control, yet we continue to treat her as the proper object of moral assessment. For example, we condemn the drunk driver who hits a pedestrian far more harshly than the one who merely drives off the road, even though the fact of whether a pedestrian is present is beyond the driver's control.
Nagel distinguishes among four different sources of moral luck. Constitutive luck concerns what kind of person one is, in terms of one's inclinations and temperament. Another category of luck - circumstantial luck - encompasses the circumstances one happens to be in, and the kinds of problems one faces. A third kind of luck - causal luck - concerns how one is determined by antecedent circumstances. And a final kind of luck - resultant luck - deals with the consequences of one's actions and projects, like the case of our drunk driver.
When we take all four of these types of luck into account, Nagel argues, "nothing or almost nothing about what a person does seems to be under his control." Yet, we continue morally judging people for their actions. Nagel argues that this paradox arises from our concepts of agency and events. On the one hand, the idea that we are agents is incompatible with the view that we are mere things, and that our actions are mere events. Yet, as we learn more about the causes of our actions and their consequences, we seem forced to accept the view that we are indeed things and our actions are events. Nonetheless, Nagel claims that we can't help but feel moral emotions like pride and guilt about our own actions. Ultimately, Nagel concludes, the problem of moral luck does not admit of a satisfactory solution; it is the irreconcilable clash of the objective and subjective points of view
-Nagel claims that most skeptical arguments:

• A) are the result of applying arbitrarily stringent standards.
• B) are based on linguistic confusions.
• C) are logically self-refuting.
• D) grow from the consistent application of ordinary standards.

Identify different capital budgeting evaluation methods and their applications.

Understand the concept of the time value of money and its application in evaluating investment opportunities.

Gain insights into the impact of cash flows on investment appraisal decisions.

Acknowledge the importance of considering the hurdle rate in investment decision making.

---

Definitions:

Credit Normal

The usual terms or conditions under which credit is extended to customers, including payment due dates and interest rates.

Sales Slip

A document that records the details of a transaction made between a buyer and a seller.

Cash Register Tape

A paper roll or digital record used in cash registers to record transactions made during a business day.

Owner's Equity

The residual interest in the assets of a company after deducting liabilities.