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Moral Reasoning in a Pluralistic World
by Patricia Marino
McGill-Queen's University Press
October 1, 2017
9780773546158
Moral diversity is a fundamental reality of today’s world, but moral theorists have difficulty responding to it. Some take it as evidence for skepticism - the view that there are no moral truths. Others, associating moral reasoning with the search for overarching principles and unifying values, see it as the result of error. In the former case, moral reasoning is useless, since values express individual preferences; in the latter, our reasoning process is dramatically at odds with our lived experience.
Moral Reasoning in a Pluralistic World takes a different approach, proposing an alternative way of thinking about moral reasoning and progress by showing how diversity and disagreement are compatible with theorizing and justification. Patricia Marino demonstrates that, instead of being evidence for skepticism and error, moral disagreements often arise because we value things pluralistically. This means that although people share multiple values such as fairness, honesty, loyalty, and benevolence, we interpret and prioritize those values in various ways. Given this pluralistic evaluation process, preferences for unified single-principle theories are not justified. Focusing on finding moral compromises, prioritizing conflicting values, and judging consistently from one case to another, Marino elaborates her ideas in terms of real-life dilemmas, arguing that the moral complexity and conflict we so often encounter can be part of fruitful and logical moral reflection.
Moral Reasoning in a Pluralistic World
by Patricia Marino
McGill-Queen's University Press
October 1, 2017
9780773546158
Moral diversity is a fundamental reality of today’s world, but moral theorists have difficulty responding to it. Some take it as evidence for skepticism - the view that there are no moral truths. Others, associating moral reasoning with the search for overarching principles and unifying values, see it as the result of error. In the former case, moral reasoning is useless, since values express individual preferences; in the latter, our reasoning process is dramatically at odds with our lived experience.
Moral Reasoning in a Pluralistic World takes a different approach, proposing an alternative way of thinking about moral reasoning and progress by showing how diversity and disagreement are compatible with theorizing and justification. Patricia Marino demonstrates that, instead of being evidence for skepticism and error, moral disagreements often arise because we value things pluralistically. This means that although people share multiple values such as fairness, honesty, loyalty, and benevolence, we interpret and prioritize those values in various ways. Given this pluralistic evaluation process, preferences for unified single-principle theories are not justified. Focusing on finding moral compromises, prioritizing conflicting values, and judging consistently from one case to another, Marino elaborates her ideas in terms of real-life dilemmas, arguing that the moral complexity and conflict we so often encounter can be part of fruitful and logical moral reflection.
Aiming to draw new connections and bridge the gap between theoretical ethics and applied ethics, Moral Reasoning in a Pluralistic World offers a sophisticated set of philosophical arguments on moral reasoning and pluralism with real world applications.
Biography
Patricia Marino's work engages in a wide range of topics, including moral conflict and dilemmas, moral reasoning, bioethics, the role ethical values play in economic theory and practice, sexual objectification, and sexual autonomy and consent. After earning graduate degrees in mathematics, she received her PhD in Philosophy from the University of California, Irvine. She is currently Professor of Philosophy at the University of Waterloo, in Canada, where she has taught since 2004; before that she was a Mellon Fellow at Stanford University.
Marino is the author of the book Moral Reasoning in a Pluralistic World and the forthcoming Philosophy of Sex and Love: An Opinionated Introduction. She also writes about modern life and its discontents, philosophy, literature, politics, and other topics at her blog, TKIN: Accidental Philosopher Encounters Modern Life.
She is the author of the book Moral Reasoning in a Pluralistic World and the forthcoming Philosophy of Sex and Love: An Opinionated Introduction. She also writes about modern life and its discontents, philosophy, literature, politics, and other topics at her blog, TKIN: Accidental Philosopher Encounters Modern Life.