Thread: What flaws can be in a teleological suspension of ethical?

A classic example of a teleological suspension of the ethical is in the story of Abraham, his son, Isaac, and God.

What is a teleological suspension of he ethical?

What mistake did Abraham make in this classic scenario for which there are innumerable old and new counterparts?

You've got 18 views and 0 replies. Maybe it would help to rephrase your questions and explain a little about the situation you're talking about.

Thanks for the good and appropriate advise, Lucid.

A teleological suspension of the ethical is a fancy (philosophical) way of saying that something is or might be done in the way of making up an excuse for that which is inexcusable.

Mass murderer, David Berkowitz claimed that his dog ordered him to kill people, because dog is 'god' - a higher authority - spelled backwards.

The Nazis murdered millions of unarmed non combatant people because Der Fuhrer - a higher authority -ordered them to.

In Abraham's classic case, God - a higher authority - told him to murder his son.

The Biblical situation is musically summed up in the Lyrics of Bob Dylan's 'Highway 61':
"God said to Abraham, 'Kill me a son'. Abe said, 'Man, you must be puttin me on'.
God said, 'No'. Abe said 'What?'. God said, 'You can do anything you like, Abe, but, the next time you see me comin', you better run'. Abe said, 'Where do you want this killin' done - God said, 'Out on Highway 61'.

It is true that Abraham was under serious coercive pressure from God, but, nevertheless, he agreed to do murder, because a higher authority told him to (suspend the enthical). Abraham had placed his son Isaac on a sacrificial altar and was about to stab his son to death, when an Angel of God intervened and belayed the order, explaining that it was just a 'test'.

Q. Was Abraham right in finally agreeing to murder his son?

Might he have discontinued communications with God - perhaps concluding that, due to the content of the conversation, they must have a bad connection or something. Even if it may have cost him his life for refusal to carry out a direct order?

It was hazing necessary to perfect martial discipline. The hazing culture of ancient Hebrews made them both obedient and brutal in war, therefore successful. I guess you have to decide if ends justify means.