Abstract

Among those specters which haunt philosophy, like Descartes’ evil deceiver, is a rather recent addition sometimes known as “the conscientious Nazi.” This Nazi has become known far and wide for his rather striking relation to morality. His philosophical patron, albeit unwillingly, seems to many to be Professor R. M. Hare. This hypothetical Nazi has a number of admirable traits to be sure. For example, he is always careful to get his facts straight and to vividly imagine himself in the other person’s place whenever he makes a moral judgment. Moreover, he recognizes the universalizable and prescriptive nature of moral language. For this reason he is prepared to say “Let me be sent to the gaschamber” if he should discover that he himself is a Jew.