Michalos and the Theory of Ethical Theory

The paper replies to Professor Alex Michalos' keynote address, "Ethics Counsellors as a New Priesthood". Michalos argues that an intractable diversity of opinion about fundamental issues in ethical theory precludes substantive, well-founded ethical counselling. However, Michalos has i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of business ethics
Main Author: Hodgson, Bernard J. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Springer Science + Business Media B. V 2001
In: Journal of business ethics
Further subjects:B Scientific Theory
B Fundamental Issue
B Ethical Theory
B Moral Reasoning
B Economic Growth
Online Access: Volltext (JSTOR)
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Description
Summary:The paper replies to Professor Alex Michalos' keynote address, "Ethics Counsellors as a New Priesthood". Michalos argues that an intractable diversity of opinion about fundamental issues in ethical theory precludes substantive, well-founded ethical counselling. However, Michalos has inappropriately modelled his understanding of an acceptable structure and application for ethical theory on natural scientific theory. For we may countenance a less severe understanding of theory for ethical theory than in the hard sciences. In particular, instructive moral reasoning may tolerate a degree of disagreement across human beings in their conception of moral good. On condition that such variance is not so considerable as to undermine a necessary commonality of language on ethical matters, there will be an adequate basis for warranted theory-construction in ethics and effective moral counselling underwritten by such theory. And, on the available historical evidence, such a condition can be met.
ISSN:1573-0697
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of business ethics
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1023/A:1006486707840