GERT ON UNRESOLVABLE MORAL DEBATES

Academic Article

Abstract

  • Bernard Gert argues that, while the moral system contains a procedure for resolving most moral disagreements, it does not allow for such resolution in all cases. I agree with Gert that not all moral debates can be resolved, but I believe that Gert does not use all the argumentative resources available to philosophers to resolve them. I argue that considerations outside the moral system proper can be used to provide argumentative support favoring some positions over their rivals in moral controversies that Gert regards as intractable. I illustrate this with reference to the abortion debate. I also argue that reaching such conclusions about the superiority of one position over rivals need not result in moral arrogance. (edited)
  • Authors

    Status

    Publication Date

  • July 2007
  • Has Subject Area

    Published In

  • Metaphilosophy  Journal
  • Digital Object Identifier (doi)

    Start Page

  • 370
  • End Page

  • 379
  • Volume

  • 38
  • Issue

  • 4