The Dissenter

#1136 Ronald de Sousa: Why It's OK to Be Amoral

Aug 14, 2025
Guest
Ronald de Sousa
In this engaging conversation, Ronald de Sousa, Emeritus Professor at the University of Toronto, explores the intriguing notion of amorality. He scrutinizes various moral frameworks like utilitarianism and Kantian ethics, revealing their complexities and potential pitfalls. De Sousa discusses the subjectivity of moral judgments, the dangers of moral fanaticism, and how societal conventions shape morality. Ultimately, he challenges listeners to reconsider their understanding of ethics and the implications of living in a world devoid of absolute moral truths.
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INSIGHT

Where Moral Convictions Come From

  • Moral convictions stem from innate dispositions plus early education and cultural learning.
  • De Sousa highlights empirical debates on how much morality is innate versus learned.
INSIGHT

Conventions Aren't Entirely Arbitrary

  • Social conventions persist because they sustainably support group survival and cooperation.
  • De Sousa cites Nicholas Christakis' Blueprint as evidence conventions succeed or fail in crises.
INSIGHT

Stick To Cases, Not Grand Theories

  • Rational adjudication within moral systems works only inside each system's premises and can't reconcile competing foundations.
  • De Sousa recommends weighing considerations case-by-case rather than relying on a single grand theory.
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