In Britain, we have had the Pope visiting for the last few days. Obviously, there was consternation amongst some non-Catholics because of the Vatican policies that seem to discriminate against women, against homosexuality - and consternation amongst many, Catholics and non-Catholics, because of the child abuse scandals - and indeed the Vatican's objection to the use of artificial contraception. Further, the British taxpayer was paying for part of the visit, as it was a state visit, the Vatican curiously counting as a city state.
Two of the many features of interest are the following.
1. The Pope apologized on behalf of the Church for the abuse and the various cover-ups. Maybe the apology came too late for some; maybe some questioned the sincerity. Yet some seemed to be most upset by the fact that he did not say 'I'm sorry'. That strikes me as most curious. To say that one apologizes is the equivalent of saying sorry.
That links into an arena of philosophy that looks at linguistic performances. 'I promise to do X' is not to be describing (or not only to be describing), but is actually making a promise, given the right circumstances. 'I bet' is to make a bet - and 'I will' may be part of making a marriage.
2. Many people interviewed proclaimed themselves Catholics, expressing their great pleasure at meeting the Pope, valuing his authority - yet also happily maintained that the use of contraception was morally acceptable and that homosexuality was no sin. How easily can one reconcile such stances? Do the actions swamp the belief in the authority?
And that links to a paradox in democracy in which certain democrats may firmly believe that the democratic decision ought to be followed (e.g. to permit abortion), yet hold the firm belief that abortion is morally wrong and ought not to be permitted. And that raises the kaleidoscope of philosophical puzzles concerning what it is to hold beliefs and what it is, bearing in mind that we can hold contradictory beliefs, or so it seems.
Such puzzles, I cannot resist adding, are found in many philosophical books on paradoxes - including my own,such as Do Llamas Fall in Love: 33 Philosophical Paradoxes - and This Sentence Is False: An introduction to philosophical paradoxes
