How to Defend a Normative Ethical Theory

Burgess-Jackson, Keith (2021) How to Defend a Normative Ethical Theory. Open Journal of Philosophy, 11 (02). pp. 229-248. ISSN 2163-9434

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Abstract

This article is a work of metaethics; it is on, but not in, normative ethics. My aim is to explain how one goes about defending a normative ethical theory. Specifically, it is to explain how one goes about providing (what I call) “a complete defense” of a normative ethical theory. A complete defense has five components, which I call “underpinning,” “undermining,” “countermining,” “attacking,” and “repelling.” I explain and illustrate each component, using the normative ethical theory of egoism as an example. I then discuss three important distinctions. The first is between ideal complete defenses and non-ideal (or real-world) complete defenses. The second is between complete defenses (whether ideal or non-ideal) and incomplete (or partial) defenses. The third is between successful defenses (whether complete or incomplete) and unsuccessful defenses.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Middle East Library > Social Sciences and Humanities
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email support@middle-eastlibrary.com
Date Deposited: 30 Jun 2023 05:37
Last Modified: 23 Sep 2024 04:34
URI: http://editor.openaccessbook.com/id/eprint/1244

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