Should we be impartial?

[abstraction]

Heheh, this is getting around a certain technicality in a certain post....

But nevertheless, let's carry on shall we? I couldn't help it and I must ask...

When making decisions, should we consider everyone affected equally and impartially or should we give extra consideration to ourselves and people we know such as family?

And, either way, why, for instance, do you have an obligation to yourself and your family when as people, in the great scheme of things, you are all purdy much the same?

 

[sysyphus]

I think it's impossible to avoid personal bias, but one should strive for the greater good.

I think though concern for oneself and the own loved ones should still be a factor though, people need confidence that they have others do advocate for their needs.

 

[puglover]

Well, I have duties to my family, country, and God, so I can never be entirely impartial.

 

[warpus]

Well, I have duties to my family, country, and God, so I can never be entirely impartial.

In that order of importance?

 

[Swedishguy]

It's too tiresome to take too many people into consideration.

 

[Masquerouge]

Certainly judges and lawyers should be impartial (according to the definition you provide.)

 

[Bill3000]

Nope! Reality has a well-known liberal bias.

 

[El_Machinae]

People who are willing to place some people over others make way (way!) more logical fallacies when discussing policy.

 

[Masquerouge]

People who are willing to place some people over others make way (way!) more logical fallacies when discussing policy.

I think we need to define a context here.

When I'm buying food I'm clearly buying it for me and my wife first, even though some people are really hungry - some of them might even be close to me.
In a lot of situations it is normal and rational to place some people above others.

 

[El_Machinae]

When I'm buying food I'm clearly buying it for me and my wife first, even though some people are really hungry - some of them might even be close to me.
In a lot of situations it is normal and rational to place some people above others.

Yeah, I was pretty much thinking about you when I wrote the post.
Masquerouge = buys food for family = a stream of logical fallacies on the board.

Spoiler :

 

[Masquerouge]

Yeah, I was pretty much thinking about you when I wrote the post.
Masquerouge = buys food for family = a stream of logical fallacies on the board.

Spoiler :

But more seriously I think the OP needs a bit more flesh.
"when making decisions": what sort of decisions? day-to-day decisions? Political decisions? Professionnal decisions?

I think what disturbs me is that the OP assumes that everybody is equal, and thus if we want to treat everybody impartially then we should not put our family and friends first.
But I'm not certain everybody is equal. It is true under the law, for instance. But in my personal life? Certainly not. I will readily lend money to a close friend in need. I'd never do that with a stranger.