A rational approach to improve worldwide well-being

Abstract

The existence of optical illusions demonstrates that our senses cannot always be trusted. But neither can we always trust our intuitions and judgments. There are cognitive biases such as moral illusions: spontaneous, intuitive moral judgments that are very persistent, but they violate our deepest moral values. These moral illusions are based on unwanted arbitrariness and they lead us away from a rational, authentic ethic. A rational ethic can be described with the slogan “effective in means, consistent in ends.” Moral illusions result in choosing ineffective means and inconsistent ends. This article first gives a formulation of an anti-arbitrariness principle that is a perfect antidote against moral illusions. Next, it presents some examples of moral illusions that are relevant in animal ethics: speciesism, moral gravity bias and wild animal suffering neglect. Finally it points at the most important scientific research questions in order to choose the most effective means to reach the most consistent end of improving worldwide well-being.