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Spino, Amy Accepted Thesis SP23.pdf (422.55 KB)

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Moral Fallibilism

Spino, Amy
http://orcid.org/0009-0009-6684-7726
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1682678381565231

Abstract Details

2023, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Philosophy (Arts and Sciences).
In the meta-ethical debates about moral knowledge, there are many theoretical positions to consider. If one is to have an account of moral knowledge, that will inevitably be affected by how one thinks about knowledge in general. I will be transferring a general theory of knowledge and epistemic justification to the more specific domain of ethics, through the lens of epistemic fallibilism. My goal, in applying this epistemic framework to moral discourse, is to outline how moral fallibilism (my theory) can provide a unique and attractive account of moral knowledge. I will accomplish the application of epistemology to ethical theory by implementing Stewart Cohen’s account of fallibilism (with its central notion of “relevance”), and by highlighting the aim and position of moral fallibilism by contrasting it with Mackie’s error theory. Finally, I will illustrate moral fallibilism by applying it to contemporary moral concerns; the debate about abortion, in particular. Ultimately, I propose a fresh theory of moral knowledge that emphasizes the varying degrees of justification for our ethical beliefs while defending, at the same time, a moderate account of moral objectivity.
Christoph Hanisch (Advisor)
43 p.
Epistemology; Ethics; Philosophy
Fallibilism; epistemology; metaethics; ethics; moral theory; normative ethics; mackie; error theory; first order moral propositions; abortion; probability

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Spino, A. (2023). Moral Fallibilism [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1682678381565231

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Spino, Amy. Moral Fallibilism. 2023. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1682678381565231.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Spino, Amy. "Moral Fallibilism." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1682678381565231

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1682678381565231
211
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.