Skip to main content
Log in

Defeasibility And The Normative Grasp Of Context

  • Published:
Erkenntnis Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this article, we present an analysis of defeasible generalizations – generalizations which are essentially exception-laden, yet genuinely explanatory – in terms of various notions of privileged conditions. We argue that any plausible epistemology must make essential use of defeasible generalizations so understood. We also consider the epistemic significance of the sort of understanding of context that is required for understanding of explanatory defeasible generalizations on any topic.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aristotle: 1941. ‘Nichomachean Ethics, and Posterior Analytics’, in The Basic Works of Aristotle, Random House, New York.

  • S. Bromberger (1992) On What We Know We Don’t Know: Explanation, Theory, Linguistics, and How Questions Shape Them University of Chicago Press Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • N. Cartwright (1999) The Dappled World Cambridge University Press Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Copp, D. (ed.): forthcoming, Oxford Handbook of Ethical Theory, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

  • Crisp, R.: 2000, ‘Particularlizing Particularism’, in Hooker and Little.

  • G. Cullity (2002) ArticleTitle‘Particularism and Moral Theory: Particularism and Presumptive Reasons’ Aristotelian Society 76 IssueID(Suppl.) 169–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Dancy, J.: forthcoming, Practical Reality, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

  • D. Davidson (1984) Inquiries into Truth and Interpretation Oxford University Press Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Earman J. Roberts (1999) ArticleTitleCeteris Paribus, There is No Problem of Provisos Synthese 118 IssueID3 49–78

    Google Scholar 

  • B. Hooker M. Little (Eds) (2000) Moral Particularism Oxford University Press Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Irwin, T. H.: 2000, ‘Ethics as an Inexact Science: Aristotle’s Ambitions for Moral Theory’, in Hooker and Little.

  • M. Lange (2000) Natural Laws in Scientific Practice Oxford University Press Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Lance, M. and M. Little, forthcoming, ‘Defending Moral Particularism’, in J. Dwyer (ed), Debates in Ethical Theory, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

  • Lance, M. and M. Little, forthcoming, ‘Particularism and Anti-Theory’, in Oxford Handbook of Ethical Theory, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

  • McNaughton, D. and P. Rawlings: 2000, ‘Unprincipled Ethics’, in Hooker and Little, 256–275.

  • P. Pietroski (1993) ArticleTitle‘Prima Facie Obligations: Ceteris Paribus Laws in Moral Theory’ Ethics 103 IssueID3 489–515

    Google Scholar 

  • P. Pietroski G. Rey (1995) ArticleTitle‘When Other Things Aren’t Equal’ British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 46 IssueID1 81–110

    Google Scholar 

  • P. Pietroski (1993) ArticleTitle‘Ceteris Paribus Laws in Moral Theory’ Ethics 103 IssueID3 489–515

    Google Scholar 

  • W.D. Ross (1930) The Right and the Good Oxford University Press Oxford

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark Lance.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lance, M., Little, M. Defeasibility And The Normative Grasp Of Context. Erkenntnis 61, 435–455 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10670-004-9286-2

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10670-004-9286-2

Keywords

Navigation