Vayrynen, P (2006) Ethical Theories and Moral Guidance. Utilitas, 18 (3). 291 - 309. ISSN 0953-8208
Abstract
Let the Guidance Constraint be the following norm for evaluating ethical theories: Other things being at least roughly equal, ethical theories are better to the extent that they provide adequate moral guidance. I offer an account of why ethical theories are subject to the Guidance Constraint, if indeed they are. We can explain central facts about adequate moral guidance, and their relevance to ethical theory, by appealing to certain forms of autonomy and fairness. This explanation is better than explanations that feature versions of the principle that ‘ought’ implies ‘can’. In closing, I address the objection that my account is questionable because it makes ethical theories subject not merely to purely theoretical but also to morally substantive norms.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | (c) 2006, Cambridge University Press. Reproduced with permission from the publisher. |
Keywords: | moral guidance; moral methodology; ought implies can; autonomy; fairness |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures (Leeds) > School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 15 Nov 2013 11:03 |
Last Modified: | 15 Sep 2014 02:50 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0953820806002056 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
Identification Number: | 10.1017/S0953820806002056 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:76784 |