Should Bernie Fans Vote Hillary? | Philosophy Tube

TL;DR

Should we vote for a candidate we dislike less or abstain from voting altogether in a situation where no candidate represents us?

Transcript

Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton presented very different visions of what the Democratic Party would offer voters in the coming US presidential elections and a time of recording it looks like Hillary's gonna get the nomination which poses a very interesting philosophical question for Bernie fans and indeed all of us who live in democracies when n... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤨 The dilemma of voting for the lesser of two evils raises ethical questions about principles, moral responsibility, and the common good.
• ☸️ Utilitarianism suggests that maximizing overall well-being may involve voting for the candidate who will do less harm.
• 🥺 Kantian ethics emphasize the avoidance of morally wicked actions, which might lead some to abstain from voting if they believe their preferred candidate will engage in such actions.
• 🚰 Pragmatism and realpolitik argue for considering what is on the table politically rather than ideal outcomes.
• 🏋️ The dilemma of voting involves weighing potential harm to oppressed minorities under different candidates.

Questions & Answers

Q: Should we vote for the lesser of two evils if our preferred candidate doesn't get the nomination?

Some argue that voting for the lesser of two evils is the most pragmatic approach to avoid a worse outcome, while others believe it compromises their principles and ethics.

Q: How does utilitarianism apply to the dilemma of voting for the lesser of two evils?

Utilitarianism suggests that we should choose the option that maximizes overall well-being. In the voting scenario, one could argue that voting for the candidate who will do less harm aligns with this principle.

Q: What ethical stance does philosopher Jason Brennan take on voting?

Jason Brennan argues that voters have a responsibility to ensure their vote promotes the common good. If they believe their candidate won't fulfill this, they should abstain from voting.

Q: How does Immanuel Kant's philosophy apply to the dilemma of voting?

Kant's philosophy emphasizes moral duty and the principle of not engaging in morally wicked actions. If one believes their preferred candidate will do morally evil things, abstaining from voting might align with Kantian ethics.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton offer different visions for the Democratic Party in the US presidential elections.

• Some argue that even if their preferred candidate doesn't win the nomination, voters should still vote for their party to avoid a worse outcome.

• Others question whether voting for a candidate they dislike less aligns with their principles and ethics.