I think this would benefit from a brief explanation of what we get out of moral evaluation in the first place. It’s not like there’s a physical truth behind it, it’s just a communication model for coordinating among humans. And it’s very highly evolved for that purpose. To me, PME seems like a natural component of such a system.
I suspect there are a few things going on which explain (and perhaps justify) judging powerful people more forcefully than the powerless. Note also that it’s relative—teenagers routinely judge their parents much more harshly than political or corporate leaders.
Power corrupts. This isn’t always true, but there is at least some correlation to blameworthy actions and acquiring or exercising power. And certainly more opportunity to act on bad intentions.
It’s more important and useful to judge the powerful—they’re the ones you want to influence and change their power level.
Likely related (in the other direction) to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_man_theory.
I think this would benefit from a brief explanation of what we get out of moral evaluation in the first place. It’s not like there’s a physical truth behind it, it’s just a communication model for coordinating among humans. And it’s very highly evolved for that purpose. To me, PME seems like a natural component of such a system.
I suspect there are a few things going on which explain (and perhaps justify) judging powerful people more forcefully than the powerless. Note also that it’s relative—teenagers routinely judge their parents much more harshly than political or corporate leaders.
Power corrupts. This isn’t always true, but there is at least some correlation to blameworthy actions and acquiring or exercising power. And certainly more opportunity to act on bad intentions.
It’s more important and useful to judge the powerful—they’re the ones you want to influence and change their power level.