On The Thought Of Bernard Williams’ Moral Luck

Modern moral philosophy,which is based on rationality,has become "crisis-ridden" due to various problems,resulting in many unavoidable moral dilemmas.In the case of "Trolley Problem",disputes of moral choices are not only between different moral systems,but also within the same moral system.It can be seen that the moral model built under the theoretical system of traditional normative ethics is no longer "perfect",and unable to guide us out of the moral dilemma.Therefore,we should break through the limitations of traditional thinking,change the direction of thinking,and face up to factors neglected in the moral field,such as luck.Luck not only makes a difference in the daily practice of moral actors,but also has an impact beyond experience.Bernard Williams is the first moral philosopher who connects "morality" and "luck".He successfully draws on the thoughts of ancient Greek philosophers about luck,reveals the distortion of modern moral philosophy on human ethical life,and finally confirms the inevitable effect of luck on moral field after completing the criticism of traditional normative ethics.In Williams’ s view,moral luck is an "oxymoron",and the correct starting point of our moral thinking should be the concept of rational defense.Starting with Gauguin’s example,he distinguishes internal luck from external luck,trying to clarify the way of thinking for reconstructing our moral emotion and self-concept,and thus shows that there is no moral value system that can accommodate all human practical activities.Later,in the analysis of Anna’s example,he points out that due to the involvement of luck,a special moral emotion as "agent-regret" is produced,which affects the emotional experience of moral actors,makes us doubt the control principle of moral judgment,and causes a confusion of the whole ethical system of modern moral philosophy.In this regard,he further reflects on the subject of the object of moral judgment,and demonstrates that the real purpose of solving the problems of moral luck--a dilemma of modern moral philosophy lies in moral initiative,thus deepening the thinking of moral luck.Although there are some shortcomings in Williams’ s theory of moral luck,we must admit that the emergence of moral luck theory broadens our horizons of examining moral problems,successfully distinguishes our thinking on ethics from "what we think we are thinking about",and turns our moral attention to the reflection of "how should we live a good life".