In an amusing post that pokes fun at both Twitter and applied moral philosophy, James Anderson offers eighteen arguments “Against All Tweets.” As an Aristotelian-Augustianian-Plantingan advocate of natural law, I was persuaded by a number of his conditional proofs. But being first-and-foremost a virtue ethicist, this was the one that convinced me:
Virtue Ethics Argument
(1) One ought always to act in good faith.
(2) Therefore, if one Twitters, one ought always to Twitter in good faith.
(3) One can Twitter in good faith only if one believes one’s life to be so important as to merit the attention of others.
(4) It is narcissistic to believe one’s life to be so important as to merit the attention of others.
(5) Therefore, one can Twitter in good faith only if one is narcissistic.
(6) Narcissism is not a virtue.
(7) Therefore, one can Twitter only if one is unvirtuous.
(8) Therefore, one ought not to Twitter.
Of course as an evangelical I also found this one compelling.
Pop Christianity Argument
(1) Would Jesus Twitter? Probably not.
(2) Therefore, Twittering is wrong.
Read the rest. And then follow First Things on Twitter.
July 6th, 2009 | 6:11 pm
No. 4 is both invalid and fallacious ; and contrary to the sin of spiritual pride by invoking the corollary that any life is not worthy of the attention of others – and that’s impossible according to catholic dogma ; it contradicts Romans 8:32-end and the councils of Arles, Quiercy, Nancy, Valencia & Trent
July 6th, 2009 | 6:27 pm
Under Virtue number 3 point, I have always thought of it the other way. Considering others as more important, interested in what others are doing, and showing support to those with whom deserve support is under virtue.
Thanks.
Sherry
July 6th, 2009 | 7:38 pm
Wouldn’t the Virtue Ethics Argument also apply to Facebook?
July 7th, 2009 | 10:43 am
I would seem that, given the first statement of the Pop Christianity Argument, the conclusion must be modified to read: “2. Therefore, Twittering is probably wrong.”
July 7th, 2009 | 12:29 pm
[...] First Thoughts, I just found this delightful post on 19 logical arguments against Twitter. Here is one of my [...]
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