Judging, Feeling and Not Being Moralistic

by Dr. Leonard Peikoff

2 lectures, 4 hours
Recorded in 1995

This two-lecture mini-course features a discussion of how to apply the process of evaluative judgment in difficult practical cases. Dr. Peikoff examines both how one can judge without being too quick to condemn and how one can avoid being too reluctant to pronounce judgment. He also reviews the role of emotions in judgment as well as an exhaustive discussion of the nature of evil.

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Study Guide

This course includes a study guide, featuring questions and other material designed to help you digest the course content. This material accompanies the individual lectures and is also available below as a PDF.

Lecture Guide

Summaries of the lecture content are provided below for your reference and convenience.

Lecture 1	This lecture reviews the problem of how to judge people morally without being overly condemnatory or forgiving. Dr. Peikoff examines the range of negative traits, including bad, immoral, vicious, wicked, and evil. Peikoff contrasts two examples from a student paper to concretize the question of how to apply proper judgment. He indicates the crucial reality-oriented process of gathering evidence and moving to a conclusion of moral judgment.
Lecture 2	This lecture contrasts a crucial error in moral judgment represented by improper understandings of emotions. Dr. Peikoff contrasts the opposite mistakes of, on the one hand, emotionalism and relying on one’s emotions in living and judging, and, on the other hand, of detachment from emotions and refusing to consult them in acting. Dr. Peikoff reviews the role of emotions, their nature and origin, and the proper role in one’s life.

Lecture 1

This lecture reviews the problem of how to judge people morally without being overly condemnatory or forgiving. Dr. Peikoff examines the range of negative traits, including bad, immoral, vicious, wicked, and evil. Peikoff contrasts two examples from a student paper to concretize the question of how to apply proper judgment. He indicates the crucial reality-oriented process of gathering evidence and moving to a conclusion of moral judgment.

Lecture 2

This lecture contrasts a crucial error in moral judgment represented by improper understandings of emotions. Dr. Peikoff contrasts the opposite mistakes of, on the one hand, emotionalism and relying on one’s emotions in living and judging, and, on the other hand, of detachment from emotions and refusing to consult them in acting. Dr. Peikoff reviews the role of emotions, their nature and origin, and the proper role in one’s life.