Abstract

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS NOT TO EXAMINE THE CONCEPT\nOF THE IDEAL OBSERVER AS TO ITS QUALIFICATIONS AS AN\nETHICAL THEORY, BUT TO EXPOSE THE IMPLICATIONS IT HAS FOR\nAN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLE OF RATIONALITY IN ETHICAL\nDISCOURSE. THE "IDEAL OBSERVER THEORY" IS REALLY NOT\nVALUE-FREE, ACCORDING TO THE AUTHOR. THE MEANING OF SUCH AN\nOBSERVER IS FULLY EXPLORED, IN TERMS OF BEING "IMPARTIAL,"\n"FULLY INFORMED," "IDEALLY RATIONAL," ETC., AND RATIONALITY\nIS FINALLY NOTED TO BE NOT A PERFECT UNIFORMITY OF\nATTITUDES AMONG IDEAL OBSERVERS BUT THE FREEDOM AND\nWILLINGNESS TO ASK FOR REASONS, TO ARGUE. (STAFF)