Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 18 hours ago
Can you ever be a good politician or will you always be doomed to compromise and experience moral stain? In this video, I am joined by Dr. Stephen de Wijze to talk about the problem of dirty hands in political theory and ethics.
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⏰Timestamps⏰:
0:40 What is the problem of dirty hands?
5:22 What are the two ways of thinking about dirty hands?
6:39 How has the problem of dirty hands has developed?
9:05 What type of conflict is the problem of dirty hands?
11:50 More on the two ways of thinking about dirty hands? Machiavelli vs Walzer?
17:32 The impact that experiencing dirty hands has on our moral status.
21:32 Can dirty hands be applied outside of politics? If so, how?
26:35 Does the problem of dirty hands beg the question?
36:21 Dirty hands and virtue ethics?
39:11 Does dirty hands arise from normative uncertainty?
42:29 What would it look like systematically for a meta-ethicist to allow for dirty hands?
45:21 How else are dirty hands understood?
48:47 How can the problem of dirty hands be applied in a practical sense?
54:21 How should we enforce moral residue?
58:50 Where will dirty hand debates go?
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This video is brought to you by Philosophy Circle, my project to deliver clear, high-quality philosophy education: www.philosophy-circle.com.
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For podcast listeners, check out our podcast: bit.ly/phil4allpod
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Support my mission and gain exclusive perks:
patreon.com/christianityforall
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Join our newsletter on my website: josh-yen.com
Find me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joshuajwyen
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Feel free to join my discord server:
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About the video:
The problem of dirty hands arises when you have conflicting, but equally motivating, moral obligations. When these occur, is it possible to do wrong? Is it possible to do right? What does it mean to fulfil one's moral obligations in these circumstances? Dr Stephen de Wijze from University of Manchester introduces this problem and varying perspectives of approaching it.
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#philosophy #joshuayen #ethics
Can you ever be a good politician or will you always be doomed to compromise and experience moral stain? In this video, I am joined by Dr. Stephen de Wijze to talk about the problem of dirty hands in political theory and ethics.
--
⏰Timestamps⏰:
0:40 What is the problem of dirty hands?
5:22 What are the two ways of thinking about dirty hands?
6:39 How has the problem of dirty hands has developed?
9:05 What type of conflict is the problem of dirty hands?
11:50 More on the two ways of thinking about dirty hands? Machiavelli vs Walzer?
17:32 The impact that experiencing dirty hands has on our moral status.
21:32 Can dirty hands be applied outside of politics? If so, how?
26:35 Does the problem of dirty hands beg the question?
36:21 Dirty hands and virtue ethics?
39:11 Does dirty hands arise from normative uncertainty?
42:29 What would it look like systematically for a meta-ethicist to allow for dirty hands?
45:21 How else are dirty hands understood?
48:47 How can the problem of dirty hands be applied in a practical sense?
54:21 How should we enforce moral residue?
58:50 Where will dirty hand debates go?
--
If you found this video helpful, like and subscribe, and share this video with your friends!
--
This video is brought to you by Philosophy Circle, my project to deliver clear, high-quality philosophy education: www.philosophy-circle.com.
--
For podcast listeners, check out our podcast: bit.ly/phil4allpod
--
Support my mission and gain exclusive perks:
patreon.com/christianityforall
--
Join our newsletter on my website: josh-yen.com
Find me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joshuajwyen
--
Feel free to join my discord server:
discord.gg/8qdSy85SfD
--
About the video:
The problem of dirty hands arises when you have conflicting, but equally motivating, moral obligations. When these occur, is it possible to do wrong? Is it possible to do right? What does it mean to fulfil one's moral obligations in these circumstances? Dr Stephen de Wijze from University of Manchester introduces this problem and varying perspectives of approaching it.
--
#philosophy #joshuayen #ethics
