Inconsistency in Ethics

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216275%3A25210%2F20%3A39916278" target="_blank" >RIV/00216275:25210/20:39916278 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/philosophy/article/abs/inconsistency-in-ethics/6252B2714DBFAFD1B5AD609E210C9BA6#access-block" target="_blank" >https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/philosophy/article/abs/inconsistency-in-ethics/6252B2714DBFAFD1B5AD609E210C9BA6#access-block</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0031819120000261" target="_blank" >10.1017/S0031819120000261</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Inconsistency in Ethics

Original language description

Consistency is usually seen as one of the hallmarks and a cardinal virtue of moral theory, as well as of any defensible real-life moral perspective. In everyday life a consistent set of moral beliefs is conductive to moral clarity, communicability, responsibility and responsiveness. But this is just one side of the story. In this paper I argue that inconsistency, properly understood, is a productive and constructive aspect of both moral philosophy and our moral lives. After an introductory glance at Ralf Waldo Emerson and Hannah Arendt, the argument proceeds in three main steps. First, I discuss the philosophical importance of paying heed to inconsistencies in our moral lives, which often are prematurely pruned from moral philosophy. Second, I discuss the positive moral roles of inconsistency in terms of responsiveness to different situations, values, needs and concerns that call upon our attention in everyday life. Third, I argue that moral inconsistencies contribute to the necessary adaptability of our moral understandings to changing conditions. Fourth, in the place of a conclusion, I revisit the issue of consistency, clarity and accountability.

Czech name

—

Czech description

—

Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

60302 - Ethics (except ethics related to specific subfields)

Project

<a href="/en/project/EF15_003%2F0000425" target="_blank" >EF15_003/0000425: Centre for Ethics</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2020

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Philosophy

ISSN

0031-8191

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

95

Issue of the periodical within the volume

4

Country of publishing house

US - UNITED STATES

Number of pages

24

Pages from-to

447-470

UT code for WoS article

000567464000003

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85092385202