Reading Questions
W. K. Clifford - The Ethics of Belief

1. What is Clifford's evaluation of the ship-owner that suppressed his doubts about the sea-worthiness of his ship, let it sail, and in due course, collected the insurance money on his sunken ship?  Do you think the ship-owner did anything wrong?  Why or Why not?
2. Clifford thinks that even if the ship had not sank, the ship-owner was still wrong to let it sail.  Some might instead say, "No harm.  No foul."  What do you think?  Explain your answer.
3. How does Clifford think our beliefs affect us?
4. How does Clifford think our beliefs affect those around us?
5. According to Clifford, who needs to care about their beliefs?
6. What point is Clifford trying to make when he talks about stealing money?  Specifically, to what does he compare stealing money?