Philosopher's Zone The individual and the collective
Nov 28, 2021
In this engaging discussion, guest Anne Schwenkenbecher, a senior lecturer in philosophy specializing in collective moral responsibility, delves into the complexities of individual versus collective reasoning. She examines the limitations of 'I-mode' reasoning in failing to address climate change and presents 'we-mode' as a more effective approach for collective action. Through examples like the Perth train rescue and reflections on COVID-19, Anne highlights how embracing collective duties can reshape our moral landscape and foster cooperation on global challenges.
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Limits Of I-Mode Reasoning
- iMode reasoning evaluates what I can achieve alone and treats others' actions as fixed.
- This can blind us to collectively achievable outcomes and cause coordination failures like climate inaction.
How We-Mode Reframes Deliberation
- We-mode reasoning starts from collectively available options and infers individual contributions.
- It reframes deliberation toward what the group ought to achieve, enabling coordinated action.
Train Rescue In Perth
- Commuters in Perth spontaneously pushed a train to free a trapped person's leg.
- Each person acted from the collectively best outcome rather than their tiny individual efficacy.
