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Mandevillian vices
Mandi Astola1, Steven Bland2, Mark Alfano3
1Section Ethics & Philosophy of Technology, Department of Values, Technology and Innovation, Delft University of Technology, Building 31, Jaffalaan 5, 2628BX Delft, The Netherlands.
Synthese
|July 11, 2024
Summary
Some vices, like greed, can benefit society, a concept known as Mandevillian virtues. However, this paper introduces "Mandevillian vices," traits good for individuals but harmful to groups.
Area of Science:
- Moral Philosophy
- Social Epistemology
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- Bernard Mandeville proposed that societal benefits can arise from traditionally negative traits like greed and vanity.
- John Maynard Keynes and contemporary philosophers have explored Mandeville's ideas in economics, epistemology, and morality.
- Previous work suggests certain vices can enhance group cooperation and cognitive labor division.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and define the concept of "Mandevillian vices."
- To explain the mechanisms underlying Mandevillian traits (both virtues and vices).
- To contrast Mandevillian traits with traditional virtue ethics and epistemology.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of Mandevillian virtues and vices.
- Philosophical argumentation regarding group dynamics and individual benefits.
- Exploration of mechanisms driving beneficial or detrimental traits in group settings.
Main Results:
- Mandevillian virtues describe traits beneficial to society despite being individual vices.
- Mandevillian vices are traits beneficial to individuals but detrimental to their groups.
- Group dynamics can complicate the universal prescription of character traits.
Conclusions:
- Mandevillian traits challenge traditional virtue ethics by highlighting context-dependent benefits.
- Understanding Mandevillian vices is crucial for analyzing group behavior and cooperation.
- This work provides a framework for unifying the study of Mandevillian traits.
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