The only way is ethics.. and I think Sturgeon might have got it wrong

Ex-Vatican philosophy prof lockdown rebels may be ones who care more about society

- John Ferguson

A former Vatican adviser has warned that Nicola Sturgeon’s Covid-19 lockdown strategy could be unethical.

John Haldane, an emeritus professor of moral philosophy at St Andrews University, cautioned against accepting politicians’ claim to the “ethical high ground” over restrictions that could destroy communities.

The First Minister has repeatedly appealed for people to “do the right thing” and abide by strict rules which were tightened on Friday despite industry leaders predicting an economic meltdown.

Haldane is concerned that increasingly complicated social distancing regulations are “sapping people of a sense of their own capacity to make judgments”. He said: “Politicians have claimed the ethical high ground for themselves and anything that questions this now is made to look like it is selfish and uncaring. But it may be they are the ones who are damaging the community.

“This is not a question of rabid individualism versus care for the community. A lot of the kickback against these measures is from people who care deeply and are very connected with communities where people live.”

He added: “It’s a minority who can work from home easily using email and the internet. The majority are much more rooted in the place where they are. It is those physical communities that are being absolutely ravaged by restrictions.