Discourse and Knowledge: Defence of a Collectivist EthicsEthical disagreement is a fact of social life. We disagree about issues such as abortion, euthanasia, the meaning of justice and the treatment of animals, and our debates often fail to reach a consensus. Some philosophers think that this means there is no objective knowledge about morality. Discourse and Knowledge takes a radically different approach to the defence of ethical rationality. It claims that there is a correct solution to ethical controversies, but that ethical decisions have to be made collectively. Written specifically for those studying or teaching ethics or moral theory, Discourse and Knowledge will also be ideal for those on courses on social theory, ethics or feminist philosophy. |
Contents
INTRODUCING ETHICAL COLLECTIVISM | 1 |
ETHICAL DISAGREEMENT The problem and its cause | 9 |
THE PROBLEM OF DISAGREEMENT | 11 |
2DISCOURSE ETHICS AND THE CRITIQUE OF MONOLOGY | 32 |
A MORAL PSYCHOLOGICAL INQUIRY | 46 |
ETHICAL REASONING FROM A COLLECTIVIST POINT OF VIEW | 69 |
REASONING CRITICAL DISCOURSE | 71 |
REASONING CONSTRUCTIVE DISCOURSE | 95 |
ETHICAL COLLECTIVISM AND ETHICAL AGENCY | 117 |
6CONSCIENCE AUTHENTICITY AND COLLECTIVE DECISIONMAKING | 119 |
NOTES | 143 |
| 148 | |
| 152 | |
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Common terms and phrases
able accept achieve agree agreement argue assumption claim cogent positions collective commitments competent judges concerned consensus constructed conclusion constructive discourse critical discourse criticise decision-procedure depends determine dialogue discourse ethics dissonance empirical epistemological equally ethical agent ethical collectivism ethical collectivist ethical decision-making ethical disagreement ethical judge ethical judgment ethical positions ethical rationality ethical reasoning ethics of authenticity generalisations Habermas idea ideal agent ideal ethical ideal observer theories ideal speech situation impartial impersonal individual's insights insist interests interpretation Iris Marion Young justified Kantian lives means ment merely meta-ethical method monological moral judgments moral point motivation objective participants in discourse particular perceiving perceptions person perspective point of view possible principles problem procedure proposal question rational agents Rawls reach reason to think reflection reflective equilibrium regard relativism requires resolve result scepticism situation social supposed take into account theory Theory of Justice tion transcend truth understand utilitarian values viduals view of ethical wrong