Ethical theories as methods of ethics

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Abstract

This chapter presents a new argument for thinking of traditional ethical theories, not as criteria of rightness and wrongness, but rather as methods that can be used in first-order moral inquiry. It begins from outlining how ethical theories such as consequentialism and contractualism are flexible frameworks in which different versions of these theories can be formulated to correspond to different first-order ethical views. This chapter then argues that, as a result, the traditional ethical theories cannot be evaluated in terms of their truth or correctness. Instead, it suggests that these theories should be understood as providing different kind of ways of thinking about difficult moral problems. Finally, the chapter then recommends a certain kind of an attitude of pragmatic pluralism as something that should guide our theory choice in normative ethics - it may well be that different moral problems are better approached through different ethical theories.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOxford Studies in Normative Ethics
EditorsMark Timmons
PublisherOxford University Press
Chapter12
ISBN (Print)9780192856913
Publication statusPublished - 11 Nov 2021

Publication series

NameOxford Studies in Normative Ethics
PublisherOUP
Volume11

Keywords

  • Ethical Theories
  • Methods of Ethics
  • Consequentialism
  • Contractualism
  • Theory Choice
  • Deliberation Procedures
  • Criteria of Rightness and Wrongness.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities(all)

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